Team sport involves teams of players that compete against one another in a variety of sports. This type of play often helps kids develop self-esteem and coordination, and they can learn how to work with other children or adults.
Team sports also help students develop social skills, which can be helpful in a variety of settings throughout their lives (see Chapter 13). Studies have shown that children who participate in team sports are less likely to be depressed and do better in school than kids who don’t.
In addition, participating in team sports can lead to a higher level of physical fitness. This is important in a country with an obesity epidemic, and it can be a great way to get children exercise on a regular basis.
The demand to compete and to cooperate while performing is more pronounced in team sports than in individual sports. This is especially true when it comes to determining which athlete will take the starting position or a specific role on the team.
Nevertheless, team athletes who choose to compete exclusively for themselves may not be able to sustain their performance over the course of a competition. This may be because they are not committed to cooperating with their teammates and training partners.
Athletes in team sports also are more prone to injury than those who play individual sports. This is because team sports involve more movement and the likelihood of injury is increased.