A team sport is a sports discipline in which a fixed number of players form a competitive unit for the purposes of competing against other teams. This includes, but is not limited to: ice hockey, soccer, rugby union, water polo, cricket, handball and baseball.
Team sports teach kids that they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. It also teaches them to work with others towards a common goal, allowing them to practice critical thinking skills. Whether analyzing which teammates are open for a pass, observing an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses or working together to create a strategy on the fly, these problem-solving skills will translate to other areas of their lives, from school to work.
Being a part of a team also teaches kids how to be a good sport and how to lose with grace. Winning is always a great feeling, but losing is sometimes inevitable. Learning to accept that and be a good sport will help them to build self-confidence.
Moreover, team sports offer a platform for individuals with disabilities to develop a wide range of skills, including social interaction, communication and coordination. This is particularly important for autistic individuals, who may find it difficult to read social cues and respond appropriately in conversations or interact with other people in the same way that non-disabled peers do. However, research on the benefits of team sport for individuals with autism is still relatively new.