Team sports have a number of advantages that individual practice lacks, Therefore, although at this time we cannot practice them on the beaches or other spaces, for public health reasons, we must be aware that we are depriving our children of all the positive aspects of team sport.
We tell you and give you some details of what these benefits are. They are sports that are based on cooperation and not competition. So answering the title question, yes, team sports are good for kids and teens.
Motivation, one of the strengths of team sport
The practice of sports is positive at any age, either individually, or as part of a team. But it is possible that our son, daughter, is bored or not lazy to go to practice his sport, even if he likes it a lot. So practice a team sport is motivating, It is not only about doing sports, but also about seeing friends, doing activities together while feeling the commitment to the group.
This way it is easier for the practice of sport to become a comfortable and fun habit. If we think of team sports, basketball and soccer are the most common by far, but there are Other options, such as handball, hockey, rugby, water polo ... we will tell you about these, but you can find out more. In addition to doing a group activity in a gym, for example karate classes, we can also come to consider it a team sport, when practiced in a group.
Another advantage of playing team sports is that boys and girls learn to better manage your time and they acquire habits of discipline. These will be very useful in other learning spaces, such as school.
What kids and teens learn from team sports
Professionals point out that during the practice of a team sport (it also happens with individual sports, but to a lesser extent) children learn:
- Discipline and the importance of the norm. We all know how difficult it is for children and adolescents to get into the habit of discipline. However, practicing a team sport will teach them the importance of it without them realizing it. In sports that are practiced as a team, the rules cannot be ignored, because then, it will be the team that is harmed.
- Team work. This is one of the fundamental lessons of team sport. Boys and girls learn to form and work in a group, the importance of trusting others and that others trust them.
- Leadership. The practice of team sport allows the possibility of developing the leadership of one of the members. Take responsibility and form the kind of leader you will be in the future. The types of leadership are different and in the same team there can be a sports star, and another in the locker room. Solidarity is one of the elements that is also reinforced.
- Frustration tolerance. In sports, sometimes you lose and sometimes you win. Children who play team sports tolerate the frustration of defeat better.
Convincing a child to play a team sport
We may know all these advantages, but our son or daughter does not want to do this type of sport, for timidity, does not want to face the group, lack of self-esteem, or any other reason. In these cases the best thing is not to force it, but motivate and convince him to do it.
One strategy is for him to see you or dad who already do you practice some kind of sport. If there are older siblings, these are also the references, but be careful not to create comparisons between the two. Each one has its skills, qualities, and you don't even have to practice the same.
Do not deprive him to do other things with his teammates, or even go racing to other cities. Their effort will be useless if on the day of the match in another city you don't give them permission to travel with the team, or they don't have the necessary equipment.