Team sport is an activity in which a group of people, called a team, competes against another group of people. The team members work together towards a common goal, usually winning the game. Team sports teach children cooperation and how to work in a group, skills that are useful in the workplace and in life.
The first lesson of a Team sport is learning to put the group ahead of oneself. This means passing the ball to an open player on the court rather than forcing a shot, or running your pass assignment perfectly even if the quarterback doesn’t throw it to you. It also teaches boys to work with teammates who may have different skills than they do, and that it is important to make sure everyone is working well together.
Teams require a lot of commitment and hard work. Kids who play a team sport will often spend a lot of time doing homework and then going straight to practice after school. The discipline of team sports helps kids learn the importance of continuing to work hard toward a goal even when it’s not fun, which is an excellent life skill that will translate into the workforce as adults. Team sports also provide opportunities for children to build their social circle outside of school through making new friends on the team.
Cooperation
Research has shown that boys are much better at cooperating than girls, but it’s not really surprising: men have been cooperating with other males in all-male hunting and fighting gangs for millennia. Team sports offer boys the chance to activate and develop this primordial proclivity in a safe and supportive environment.
Self-esteem
Playing in a team sport can help young children to feel better about themselves by building their confidence. The support of a coach or other team members, a high score in a competition, or just the feeling of belonging to a group can all boost a child’s self-esteem. In addition, the team aspect of a sport can also teach a child to cooperate with other people and to be less selfish.
Winning and Losing
Being on a team teaches children to appreciate the effort of their peers, and that winning and losing is a part of life. It’s easy for children to become sore losers when they don’t get what they want in life, but playing a team sport teaches them how to cope with failure and setbacks in a healthy, supportive way. This lesson will come in handy later in life when they face difficult career or personal decisions. They will know to rely on their supportive friends and colleagues to keep them grounded and focused on the bigger picture. They will be able to see the big picture because they have learned how to work well with other people. They will be able to recognize their own strengths and how they can contribute to the success of the group. This will give them the courage to step out of their comfort zone and take risks in order to accomplish their goals.