A team sport involves a group of players who interact simultaneously to achieve an objective, which often involves teammates facilitating the movement of a ball or similar object in accordance with a set of rules, in order to score points. The term can be applied to a wide range of sports, from cricket and ice hockey (two popular winter team sports) to soccer, lacrosse, football, and basketball. In addition to being highly entertaining and enjoyable, team sports also help develop social skills and promote healthy physical activity.
What makes team sports unique from other groups is the existence of clear standards of effort and performance that are recognized by all members of the team. For example, it is well understood that all team members should attend practice sessions and adhere to the instructions of the coaches. Similarly, all team members should work strenuously during competitions in pursuit of victory.
The societal importance of team sport is reflected in the fact that it is a major component of the education system at all levels of schooling. Many high schools offer a variety of team sports for their students as part of the physical education curriculum.
The main drawback of team sport is that more injuries typically occur than in individual sports, due to the large number of players moving around the field or court at the same time. In addition, some individuals may become overly competitive to win individual awards and lose focus on the overall goals of the team.