Team sport is an activity in which participants divide into rival sides, work together to amuse spectators and accomplish a shared objective—usually winning by outscoring the opponent. Team members set goals, make decisions, communicate and solve problems in a supportive, trusting environment in order to achieve the objectives of their sport. Examples of team sports include hockey, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, water polo, rowing, cricket, handball, and lacrosse.
Team sports are often more complicated than individual sports because of the number of people involved. This makes it more difficult to focus on one aspect of the game at any given time. Additionally, injuries are more common in team sports because there are more people moving around the field or court at any one time.
Despite the many challenges, team sports also have numerous benefits. They can teach students how to work with others in a cooperative manner, which will translate into their school and workplace lives. They can foster good sportsmanship and help to put winning in perspective, so that students don’t become sore losers. They can build self-esteem and teach students how to value each member of their team, as well as how their skills contribute to the success of the entire group.
While some individuals may choose to participate in team sports, they are not for everyone. They require a large amount of physical and mental preparation, as well as extensive practice time. They can be very stressful and expensive, especially for collegiate and professional athletes. In addition, they can require a significant commitment of time from parents, teachers, coaches, and other team members.