A team sport is an athletic activity in which the fundamental nature of the game or match requires individuals forming a group (a team) to accomplish a shared goal which is usually to outperform and defeat the opposing team. This type of sports fosters cooperation, collaboration, and communication among teammates and ultimately provides a platform to develop teamwork skills. Some examples of team sports are hockey, association football, baseball, basketball, and cricket.
It is important for members of a sport team to recognize the clear standards that their coaches set for practice sessions and during competitions. As a result, there are strong norms of performance and participation within the team that sets it apart from other traditional social groups.
In some contact sports like rugby, the high-intensity activities of tackling and wrestling for ball possession require large amounts of energy from players. This imposes high demands on the body’s glycogen stores and leads to muscle fatigue, which can impair skill performance.
Other factors that distinguish team sports from other types of athletic activities are the dynamic and empathetic interactions between teammates. This can breed a competitive atmosphere and create feelings of inadequacy for some athletes. It is also important for team members to learn how to support each other, even when a member of the team loses. This is why many coaches teach their teams to shake hands with the other team after a game and not be discouraged when they don’t win.