A Team sport is any athletic competition that relies on teamwork, coordination, and strategy to compete against an opposing team. Examples include football, basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball and many other sports. Some team sports also have individual aspects such as synchronized swimming or doubles tennis. Relay races are a mixture of individual and team performances, where the team’s overall score depends on the smooth transition of athletes in the relay.

Among the most important benefits of team sports is that they promote physical and mental health. The social interaction of playing in a team encourages healthy lifestyle habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise. It also develops social skills such as listening and communication. The sense of belonging that comes with a close-knit team encourages self-confidence and motivation. Similarly, achieving a sports goal is a strong motivator to reach other goals such as academic or professional achievement.

Additionally, working with teammates on a regular basis can teach an athlete about the value of loyalty. As the Janssen Sports Leadership Center explains, working with a slate of different people teaches an athlete that “teamwork demands adherence to unwritten rules of behavior.” It teaches an athlete to respect other players, act in unselfish ways, make good decisions on behalf of the team, and not cut corners. Those lessons will carry over into everyday life. In addition, team sports can foster mentorship between older and younger athletes or coaches, as well as the development of positive role models for young athletes to look up to.