Why Track and Field Is a Team Sport
In team sport, athletes work together to compete against opposing teams or against other members of the same group. Examples include basketball, football, hockey, swimming, baseball and soccer.
In a team sport, kids learn more than just the skills to play a game. They also learn valuable life lessons, such as kindness, humility, empathy, responsibility, and loyalty. They also learn to encourage teammates and practice self-discipline as they train for competitions. In addition, kids develop the ability to problem solve and adapt as they work together with their teammates and coaches.
The team approach to track gives young athletes the opportunity to contribute to the success of a race or meet, even if their talent won’t allow them to be an elite competitor. For example, a kid who may not make the final in the open 400 meters at a championship meets might be able to run a key leg in the 4×400 relay.
Participating in team sports also fosters good sportsmanship and puts winning and losing into perspective. While it’s normal to be upset after a loss, having supportive teammates can help you move on quickly. This is particularly important for kids, as they are more likely to experience negative feelings after a loss than adults. By learning how to manage setbacks and celebrate successes, your child will be able to apply these skills to other aspects of their lives. In addition, team sports have been shown to improve academic performance by lowering stress levels and stimulating chemicals in the brain that improve moods.