A team sport is a game involving opposing teams of players and requires cooperation, coordination and communication. Examples include soccer (football), volleyball, basketball and handball.
In team sports, athletes collaborate to coordinate their movements with the aim of outmaneuvering members of an opposing team. The coordination process is often conceptualized in terms of a ‘systems approach’, whereby the behaviour of an athlete is guided by the context and environment in which they are operating. This approach has advantages over more traditional perspectives in that it is able to explore how the interactions between teammates and opponents influence performance.
However, this also means that the relevance of antagonistic one-on-one athlete-athlete interactions varies between team sports. For example, whilst they are a key feature of rugby union and basketball, they play a much smaller role in volleyball.
Team sport can help develop a sense of belonging and connectedness with others, which is particularly important for young people. It can also be a powerful learning tool to improve the ability to communicate and listen effectively. In addition, regular exercise and participation in team sports stimulates the production of chemicals in the brain that promote a positive mood.
Finally, team sports can teach children to be selfless and put the needs of their teammates ahead of their own personal interests. This is a valuable life lesson that will serve them well in later life when they are faced with obstacles and challenges that require them to work together to achieve success.