Team sport is a term used to describe any type of activity in which people participate as part of a group. These activities can include basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, tennis, track and field, ultimate, lacrosse, rowing, cricket, handball and many more.
The practice of team sports helps to build a sense of community, making it easier for children to develop friendships and a social circle. It also teaches them the value of hard work and how to cope with loss, which will help them later on in life.
Norms in sport teams reflect a set of assumptions about the behavior that is expected of others within the team and provide athletes with a sense of what is acceptable or inappropriate across a range of contexts related to team involvement (Carron & Eys, 2012). Typically, members who are perceived as being consistent with the norms are rewarded through verbal appreciation or increased group acceptance. On the other hand, members who do not follow these rules are usually punished through verbal criticism or ostracism.
Participation in Team Sports
The participation rates of high school students in team sports are higher than those for other types of physical activities. In one study, Brener and colleagues (2013) found that team sports were the most preferred activity option among high school girls and boys who reported participation in physical education outside of class.
Research on youth sport involvement suggests that a positive youth development experience can be developed through participation in sport teams, which fosters opportunities for personal growth and social support through teamwork (Bruner, Eys, & Turnnidge, 2013; Fraser-Thomas, Cote, & Deakin, 2005). Under the wrong conditions, however, involvement in sport teams can expose youth to peer pressure and risky social behavior and may even result in amoral acts, such as violence.