The Benefits of Team Sport

Team sport provides a wide range of opportunities to engage in physical activity, while also offering many other benefits. Regular participation in a variety of team sports can help students feel happier, less anxious, and more relaxed (Zeng, Hipscher, & Leung, 2011).

Participating in team sport helps kids develop life skills like responsibility, accountability and respect for teammates and coaches. It can also be a way to socialize with friends and build a community.

In addition, being active in a team sport can be very therapeutic for students and their families. It can also provide a source of enjoyment that will last a lifetime.

While the current SHAPE America National Standards & Grade Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education do not mention team sport, it is still an important curricular choice that should be included in the curriculum. High school students’ self-reported preferred activities include team sports, as well as outdoor pursuits, dance, individual sports and fitness activities.