Team sport involves a group of players working together to achieve an objective. This can be in the form of outscoring a team’s opponent or winning a game. It can be played by players from a variety of ages and abilities.
Athletes who engage in a team sport develop many important social skills. These include communication, negotiation and problem solving in a supportive environment.
These skills are invaluable in life and can help children to build relationships with friends, colleagues and family. They can also assist in developing leadership, decision making and self-confidence.
The ability to adapt and persevere through a difficult situation is one of the biggest benefits that can be derived from playing a team sport. Athletes will have to work with different personalities and scenarios during practice, which is something that they will be able to apply to their everyday life.
In addition, they will be learning the importance of delayed gratification and dedication. The skills learned will take them far beyond their sports careers and into adulthood.
Group norms are a set of expectations that members of a group hold about the behavior expected of other group members (Carron, 1988). Members of a sport team recognize that their participation in training sessions and competitions requires them to work strenuously and perform to the best of their ability.
In addition, group norms provide a sense of belonging and identity to a group. Young athletes who feel included in a supportive training group are more likely to perceive interdependence among teammates. Additionally, they are more likely to be able to trust and respect their coaches and other team members.
