Imagine a game of high school soccer match at its peak...
'Ronnie run, hit the ball, you can do it! Buck up!' Jerrie cheered for Ronnie who had the ball in control and was nearing the goal post. This statement by Jerrie surprised each and everyone around because the team including Jerrie was not on talking terms with Ronnie, owing to his high individualism and lack of sportsmanship. The team badly needed this goal to qualify for semis, and eventually overwhelmed by the support of his teammates, Ronnie hit the ball for goal.
This was a classic situation of how playing any sport builds team spirit. Personal differences were conquered and team spirit prevailed due to the common desire to win. And, apart from its physical and recreational benefits, sports offer many other benefits like improvement in communication and friends in the form of teammates.
You cannot play soccer or for that matter any sports game alone. While playing any sport you cannot go and win alone, you need the motivation of your teammates, you need those high fives, that thumping of fist and those silent glances of appreciation. They have an effect on you, they motivate you. During any game the pulse is so high that the nerves tend to go up, and the heart races wildly. The primary goal of any player is to win, and for winning team effort is necessary; individual fights take a backseat while playing a team game, and what takes control is team coordination and a collective effort to win. Building team spirit is a natural process that happens as people play with one another (although it may take some time for the feeling of oneness to grow).
Building Team Spirit Through Sports
There is no major and defined explanation to 'how does sport builds team spirit'. If you have been part of any team, you need not be explained, if you have not, I have a simple explanation for you. But before that let's understand what is team spirit. Dictionary defines team spirit as the feeling of oneness that exists in a group, it is the collective feeling of wanting to win. And, it is team spirit that makes a team play well and push itself to higher and higher limits.
Imagine a team, any team - sports team or some team playing silliest of games for fun or a team playing quiz, without team spirit, lacking on enthusiasm. Will it stand a chance of winning? Obviously not. This is why team spirit is so essential (for winning). And, in sports as I had said earlier, everyone wants to win. No one plays for a mere participation certificate. In a team sport, only if you play as a team, you will win. Thus it is said that sports help build team spirit to a large extent.
Sports is not a do or die activity, but there is something even in the silliest of sports that raises the adrenaline and the desire to win. I hope you would agree that it does turns out to be a do or die situation! And sports helps a lot in team building because it has high levels of enthusiasm than other activities that involve playing in group. This is also the reason why we should especially back the organization of team building activities for kids, because it is good if the seeds are sown at a young age.
You would also agree with me on the following - majority of the team building activities have the sports element in it. The common team building activities like fun filled sports games, tug of war, fun relay, etc., are based on sports. The reason for this is that sports helps build team spirit more than any other activity.
At the conclusion of this article, let me briefly explain how does sports build team spirit. A sports match especially a team sports match is filled with enthusiasm and tense moments. The goal of any player is winning, and the match cannot be won alone by the player. Also, winning any team sports demands collective effort from all the team members. Eventually, as a team plays together matches after matches, the spirit in the team grows. So, if you have trouble bonding with people, I would recommend you to play a match of any sports, you would surely become a class team player...
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Benefits of Team Sports
There are certain sports which are played individually. They build confidence, a spirit to win and teach you how to 'handle' victory. But, most of the time, team sports stand above all of this. They not only train you physically but also emotionally, socially and morally. The word 'team' has a deep meaning. It doesn't merely mean a collection of players, but a group of different minds, values and ethics. A team comprises:
T- Trials
E- Energy
A- Acceptance and
M- Motivation
Today is the era of technology. Ranging from kids to professionals, everybody is addicted to gadgets and electronic machines. This has not only resulted in growing obesity but also lack of social interaction. Team sports are surely one of the best ways which can make people active, energetic and socially interactive. Team sports need not necessarily be played with sportsmen. Even a family of four can actively participate and play well. At an age where children learn to socialize, raise their opinions, thank, apologize and overcome difficulties, team sports can magically boost them! There are innumerable benefits of playing team sports. They can be explained as follows:
Physical Health Benefits of Team Sports
The fact is quite evident that playing any sport makes a person energetic. Team sports, at times, benefit more than solo ones because a person is always happy to play them with ten other people having a similar way of thinking. A team sport keeps health problems at bay. They provide you with the necessary exercise and endurance to maintain a healthy body. It keeps your body in shape and saves you from problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart diseases and weak bones. Women should specially take active part in team sports as it keeps their monthly cycles regulated and prevents them from all the gynecological problems. Research reveals that 60% of the women who play team sports are prevented from breast cancer. On the other hand, kids in a growing age get used to torn knees and injuries and thus do not become susceptible to it. It helps them develop strong muscles and a good physique. People who are above the age of 55 years should also actively participate in team sports. It keeps them fit when it is most needed.
Social Benefits of Team Sports
As Aristotle says, "Man is a social animal", it is clear that a person needs a company of other people one day or the other. He cannot survive alone. Team sports help the man to become socially interactive. The more he communicates, the more he comprehends. The basic quality of understanding each other develops when a person begins to talk and listen. Team sports help to construct better friendships. Often, it is observed that a team which plays together, stays together! The team spends a lot of time discussing new ideas, opinions and methods with each other. This makes them bond well and add to the team spirit.
Moral and Emotional Benefits of Team Sports
Every individual has an ego that is hidden inside him and which pops up as a devil most of the time! One of the best things about playing a team sport is that it kills the ego and converts it into self respect. It is said that, while talking is very important, listening is even more important when you belong to a group. Team sports help develop the quality of listening to each other. We must agree to the fact that speech is silver but silence is golden! On the other hand, team sports build a good self-esteem in individuals. It helps you overcome your fears and mental blockages. It gives you the freedom to experiment and express. It is proven that children who play team sports are healthier and happier. They overcome their complexes with the help of the sport they play.
Apart from this, leadership, support and acceptance are three such disciplines everyone needs to imbibe. Team sports make you a good leader. They teach you that a leader is not the boss but a considerate person who takes into account each person's say. They also teach you to accept failures and victory in the same spirit. Children, in the growing age, tend to believe that participation is far more important than victory. The knowledge that you gain, the values that you learn from your mistakes make you a better citizen and a humble individual. They keep you grounded.
Lastly, team sports help people of all ages to love, care, suggest, lead, deserve, learn and implement. Henry Ford had once said,"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself!"
T- Trials
E- Energy
A- Acceptance and
M- Motivation
Today is the era of technology. Ranging from kids to professionals, everybody is addicted to gadgets and electronic machines. This has not only resulted in growing obesity but also lack of social interaction. Team sports are surely one of the best ways which can make people active, energetic and socially interactive. Team sports need not necessarily be played with sportsmen. Even a family of four can actively participate and play well. At an age where children learn to socialize, raise their opinions, thank, apologize and overcome difficulties, team sports can magically boost them! There are innumerable benefits of playing team sports. They can be explained as follows:
Physical Health Benefits of Team Sports
The fact is quite evident that playing any sport makes a person energetic. Team sports, at times, benefit more than solo ones because a person is always happy to play them with ten other people having a similar way of thinking. A team sport keeps health problems at bay. They provide you with the necessary exercise and endurance to maintain a healthy body. It keeps your body in shape and saves you from problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart diseases and weak bones. Women should specially take active part in team sports as it keeps their monthly cycles regulated and prevents them from all the gynecological problems. Research reveals that 60% of the women who play team sports are prevented from breast cancer. On the other hand, kids in a growing age get used to torn knees and injuries and thus do not become susceptible to it. It helps them develop strong muscles and a good physique. People who are above the age of 55 years should also actively participate in team sports. It keeps them fit when it is most needed.
Social Benefits of Team Sports
As Aristotle says, "Man is a social animal", it is clear that a person needs a company of other people one day or the other. He cannot survive alone. Team sports help the man to become socially interactive. The more he communicates, the more he comprehends. The basic quality of understanding each other develops when a person begins to talk and listen. Team sports help to construct better friendships. Often, it is observed that a team which plays together, stays together! The team spends a lot of time discussing new ideas, opinions and methods with each other. This makes them bond well and add to the team spirit.
Moral and Emotional Benefits of Team Sports
Every individual has an ego that is hidden inside him and which pops up as a devil most of the time! One of the best things about playing a team sport is that it kills the ego and converts it into self respect. It is said that, while talking is very important, listening is even more important when you belong to a group. Team sports help develop the quality of listening to each other. We must agree to the fact that speech is silver but silence is golden! On the other hand, team sports build a good self-esteem in individuals. It helps you overcome your fears and mental blockages. It gives you the freedom to experiment and express. It is proven that children who play team sports are healthier and happier. They overcome their complexes with the help of the sport they play.
Apart from this, leadership, support and acceptance are three such disciplines everyone needs to imbibe. Team sports make you a good leader. They teach you that a leader is not the boss but a considerate person who takes into account each person's say. They also teach you to accept failures and victory in the same spirit. Children, in the growing age, tend to believe that participation is far more important than victory. The knowledge that you gain, the values that you learn from your mistakes make you a better citizen and a humble individual. They keep you grounded.
Lastly, team sports help people of all ages to love, care, suggest, lead, deserve, learn and implement. Henry Ford had once said,"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself!"
The Importance of Participating in Team Sports in High School
Team sports are a great revenue-building system for high schools. Games and meets bring in money for the school and bring people to the campus who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to visit. Team sports also have many benefits for the students who participate in them. It's a great idea to get your child involved in team sports early so they will have something to look forward to in high school, and a place to belong once they get there.
Physical Activity
The most obvious benefit of participation in team sports is getting kids physically active. Many teenagers reach a point where they would rather sit inside and play video games or surf the Internet than go outside and play. Getting a teenager to practice and games even a few times a week can significantly increase their desire for physical activity, and it can also reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems later in life. If a teenager enjoys a team sport in high school, there is a strong likelihood that he or she will continue that sport through college and after, helping them remain physically active throughout their lives.
Teamwork and Social Skills
Another obvious benefit of team sports is to build teamwork and social skills. Working with a team towards a common goal - winning the game - is almost unintentionally teaching your teenager how to get along with his or her teammates. This is a very useful skill that can translate into doing group work with classmates, solving problems with siblings, and, later in life, participating in a team in his or her job. As the team works together, students learn valuable problem solving skills. On the team, they figure out how to get what they need and how to reach their goals. These problem solving skills can also benefit them in school and in their careers. Along with teamwork and problem solving comes the building of social skills. In order to participate on a team, athletes must communicate with their teammates. Practicing these communication skills can benefit teenagers as they figure out appropriate and not appropriate ways of communicating.
Family Time
A benefit of participation in team sports that is not entirely obvious is the extra family time that comes with sports. When a teenager is honing his or her skills for the team, this can be an excuse for parents and siblings to play catch in the yard and bond over the shared love of a sport. Watching your kids play sports can also lead to great family time in the bleachers, as well as when you go get some ice cream after the game. Families can also bond while being spectators at professional sporting events. Taking your student to see professional athletes can be a great family activity, as well as a fantastic learning activity for your young athlete.
Coaches as Mentors
In this day and age, when students are frequently looking to less than positive role models, it is important for students to have a plethora of very positive adult role models in their lives. By allowing students to participate on team sports, all the coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers become role models for the young students. Students often feel like they can talk to coaches and go to them for advice. While you would ideally love for your teenager to seek you out for advice, that might not be your teenager's ideal situation. Knowing he or she has a responsible adult to go to, even if that adult isn't you, can put your mind at ease and ensure your child gets good advice.
Physical Activity
The most obvious benefit of participation in team sports is getting kids physically active. Many teenagers reach a point where they would rather sit inside and play video games or surf the Internet than go outside and play. Getting a teenager to practice and games even a few times a week can significantly increase their desire for physical activity, and it can also reduce the risk of obesity and other health problems later in life. If a teenager enjoys a team sport in high school, there is a strong likelihood that he or she will continue that sport through college and after, helping them remain physically active throughout their lives.
Teamwork and Social Skills
Another obvious benefit of team sports is to build teamwork and social skills. Working with a team towards a common goal - winning the game - is almost unintentionally teaching your teenager how to get along with his or her teammates. This is a very useful skill that can translate into doing group work with classmates, solving problems with siblings, and, later in life, participating in a team in his or her job. As the team works together, students learn valuable problem solving skills. On the team, they figure out how to get what they need and how to reach their goals. These problem solving skills can also benefit them in school and in their careers. Along with teamwork and problem solving comes the building of social skills. In order to participate on a team, athletes must communicate with their teammates. Practicing these communication skills can benefit teenagers as they figure out appropriate and not appropriate ways of communicating.
Family Time
A benefit of participation in team sports that is not entirely obvious is the extra family time that comes with sports. When a teenager is honing his or her skills for the team, this can be an excuse for parents and siblings to play catch in the yard and bond over the shared love of a sport. Watching your kids play sports can also lead to great family time in the bleachers, as well as when you go get some ice cream after the game. Families can also bond while being spectators at professional sporting events. Taking your student to see professional athletes can be a great family activity, as well as a fantastic learning activity for your young athlete.
Coaches as Mentors
In this day and age, when students are frequently looking to less than positive role models, it is important for students to have a plethora of very positive adult role models in their lives. By allowing students to participate on team sports, all the coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers become role models for the young students. Students often feel like they can talk to coaches and go to them for advice. While you would ideally love for your teenager to seek you out for advice, that might not be your teenager's ideal situation. Knowing he or she has a responsible adult to go to, even if that adult isn't you, can put your mind at ease and ensure your child gets good advice.
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