Team sport is an activity in which a group of individuals (teammates) share an objective. This objective is usually to outscore an opposing team in order to win the game or contest. Individuals on a team collaborate to accomplish this goal by sharing input, decision-making and conflict management processes in a supportive and trusting environment. Examples of this type of activity include association football, soccer, rugby league and union, hockey, basketball, tennis, cricket, swimming, rowing and many other sports.

Aside from learning to work as a team, team sports provide children with valuable life lessons. They teach children the value of hard work, commitment and patience. They also teach them to persevere and not give up, even in the face of failure or setbacks. These lessons are important in building a strong foundation for future success in school and beyond.

Generally speaking, any sport where a group of people divide into rival sides and compete to win or amuse their spectators qualifies as a team sport. However, some sports do not involve teammates facilitating the movement of a ball or similar object in accordance with a set of rules to score points against another team, such as mountaineering.

The distinctive features of sport teams that distinguish them from other conventional groups are the norms of effort and performance established by a sports culture and by the specific rules of the particular sport. These norms are reflected in training programs and competitions.

For example, players in a team sport know that they should show up for practice on time and work diligently during those sessions. They also understand that in a game, they should work strenuously to achieve the highest level of performance possible.

Sport teams also differ from other conventional groups in that the number of members is fixed by the rules of the sport and/or league (e.g., 12 members on a basketball team, with 6 players on the floor at any one time). In some cases, however, a league may decide to reduce the maximum roster size for financial or other reasons.

Participation in a team sport can be beneficial for children as it provides an opportunity to develop a range of social skills, which can be applied to other areas of their lives (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005). In addition, it can help them learn to be adaptable and to deal with different situations in a constructive way. It can also help them build self-esteem, which is vital for adolescents. As such, it is crucial that children participate in a team sport. The rewards of this participation are considerable, including the development of a healthy lifestyle and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishment. This is a win-win situation for all involved. For the most part, children are eager to play team sports. Parents can assist their children in this endeavor by providing them with the necessary support and encouragement. In addition, they should take the time to explain to their child that winning is a team effort and that everyone has to contribute in some way in order to achieve success.