Team sport involves a fixed roster of athletes who compete in competitions and championships with the overall performance of the entire team being the key to victory. This includes sports such as basketball, soccer, football, hockey and even baseball (though I would argue that it barely makes this list because if you have pitchers like Kershaw or batters like Bonds who can make or break games then it’s difficult to consider baseball a true team sport).
Teams are expected to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with one another during team practices and in-game situations. This helps to foster communication skills that can be used in other areas of life, including the classroom. It also teaches students to value their teammates’ abilities and understand how each member of the team contributes to the success of the group as a whole.
As a result, team athletes typically have higher GPAs than non-athletes and are often more likely to graduate high school. They also learn to manage their time well, as they have to practice, train and study. This is particularly important in a sport like track and field, which requires athletes to perform at an elite level for a significant amount of the year.
Finally, team sports are a great way to develop a child’s physical fitness, social skills, confidence and self-esteem. They also teach children the importance of working together and how to work through setbacks. This teaches kids how to put winning into perspective, and that it’s okay not to win every single game or meet.