Team sport is a common term for any sporting activity in which two or more individuals cooperate to achieve an objective. This can be accomplished in various ways.
Generally, team sports involve a brief, high-intensity period of activity, followed by a recovery period, during which the players rest, recover, and perform lower-intensity activities. These low-intensity activities include defending scoring opportunities and regaining ball possession.
The goals of these sports include both physical and mental challenges. They also provide the athletes with opportunities to develop life skills and a sense of comradery.
Individuals who demonstrate appropriate behavior are rewarded with verbal and physical praise. However, members of teams who fail to meet norms of effort are sanctioned, including expulsion from the team.
During competition, the members of a sport team recognize their responsibilities and commit to norms of effort. In return, they are rewarded with higher status and prestige within the group.
A study of inner-city high school students found that individuals preferred team sports to other activities, including aerobics and weight lifting. Those who participated in team sports reported more interest in the activity.
The rules, equipment, and competitions of team sports are different for each sport. Different substitutions are allowed and the duration of the game is different for each sport.
Sport teams can be organized into two opposing teams and the team with more points wins. Teams are also defined by leagues, which determine the number of games they play in a season. Typically, teams play better at home than away.