Team Player Or Lone Wolf?
Teamwork isn't for everyone; however, if you're looking to improve your teamwork skills while having fun and toning your body, there are a ton of sports that can provide all three in one! On the flipside, if you're looking to get some exercise while becoming more independent, many sports prioritize individuality. In this article we'll explore a few of both.
1. Soccer
Soccer is often one of the first sports people play as children and for a good reason. Soccer fosters a sense of cooperation and unity among players, cheering each other on and encouraging them to pass the ball. No man is an island and no single player can win a soccer game.
2. Baseball
From T-ball to MLB, baseball would not succeed without teamwork. America's favorite pastime has more defined roles than some of the other sports on this list. Every player, from pitcher to outfielder, works together to get their players across home plate.
3. Basketball
While it can be easy to single out one of two exceptional basketball players as carrying the team, it's important to note that even the best players would be nothing without their teammates. The fast-paced nature of basketball fosters not only decision-making but trust in ones' teammates. Also, hogging the ball is frowned upon.
4. Football
Football's rules may seem complicated to outsiders, but a symbiotic team makes things look easy, moving like a well-oiled machine. In addition to teamwork, football requires discipline and communication among players. If the injury risk is putting you off learning, don't be discouraged, flag football has been on the rise for adults.
5. Hockey
Whether you're on the field or ice, hockey players know the value of supporting their teammates. A strong team is willing not only to work together, but to defend its players from the opposing team. Once you play together long enough, you will be able to anticipate actions and needs almost instinctively.
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6. Rugby
Rugby players quite literally put their trust and safety in each others hands when doing lifts to provide blocking or catch the ball. If you're looking to improve your teamwork, there is no better sport. Rugby can also be a more welcoming environment in terms of body diversity, which can encourage hesitant players to get out there.
7. Volleyball
Volleyball would be nothing without communication and teamwork. Volleyball encourages support, quick thinking, and coordination among players looking to come out of their shell. And, as a bonus, you can play as easily on a beach as on a court.
8. Tennis
Doubles tennis nurtures a relationship between two players moving together as one towards a common goal. Communication is key, whether it be verbal or non-verbal. And don't think that singles tennis doesn't foster teamwork either; for a game to work, both players must cooperate with each other.
9. Rowing
Controlling a boat is harder than you think, just ask anyone forced to canoe at summer camp! Now, imagine that scaled up and with an incentive for speed. Most people don't realize that rowers have different duties based on seating position, because the best rowers work together as one.
10. Water Polo
Water polo may not be the first sport you think of when it comes to teamwork—or, indeed, the first sport you think of, but it's underrated in terms of team sports. Water polo players do everything that soccer or football players do on the grass, with the added difficulty of being in the water. Water conditions can change quickly or become perilous, which is why teamwork is so important.
Now that we've discussed sports that can make you a team player, let's look at a few best done on your own.
1. Running
While some people enjoy running with a friend or club, running is probably the best sport to do on your own. You don't need any fancy equipment, nor do you need to worry about a sour mood impacting team performance. All you have to do is get out and clear your mind.
2. Swimming
Like with running, swimming is great for people who want to block out distractions and have some alone time while staying active. The competitive aspect of swimming can also help boost independence, as it inspires swimmers to outdo the rest and improve themselves. Unless we're talking artistic swimming, of course.
3. Cycling
Whether you're racing against the clock or exploring the neighborhood, cycling is an excellent pick for athletes who need to get out of their heads without compromising team performance. Now that we've completed the three legs of a triathlon, let's move on to some other sports.
4. Golfing
While most golfers will tell you that golf is best shared with a couple of buddies—there's a reason why clubs don't send lone rangers out to shoot 18 holes alone—other golfers are basically just there for socialization and competition. The actual act of golfing itself is not a team sport. If you really want to be alone, you can go to a driving range.
5. Bowling
Like with golfing, bowling is generally done with a group, but is a solo sport at its core. Even when you're bowling with a team, there isn't anything you can do to improve a teammate's performance other than cheer them on. Bowling is a fantastic pick for a sport that combines socialization with independence.
6. Climbing
Rock-climbing or bouldering is another great pick for a solitary sport. Even the easiest climbing walls encourage independence, problem-solving, and risk-taking. It can also be helpful for people who want to be active but don't want to be observed, as other climbers will be too busy focusing on staying on the wall to critique your form.
7. Karate
Martial arts such as karate encourage independence in a few different ways. First, not only can karate be practiced alone, it encourages practice at home to really nail those forms. Second, if done competitively, practitioners will want to work hard to get an edge over the competition. Third, if done solely as an artform, it encourages focus on fitness and self-improvement rather than pressure.
8. Boxing
How says solo sports have to always be about mindful reflection and self-improvement? Boxing is a prime example of a high-intensity sport that introverts can enjoy. Whether you're sparring or just working out aggression on a bag, boxing is great for fostering independence.
9. Dance
Ballet and ballroom aside, most forms of dance focus on self-expression and exploration. You can dance anywhere from a studio to your home, without having to worry about doing it "right". Dance is a fantastic way for people to understand and explore their body's potential.
10. Skateboarding
Skateboarding isn't just for teenagers and millennials stuck in the '90s. Because skateboarders are almost always self-taught, they are entirely responsible for their own progress and self-discipline. Being entirely in charge of their schedule can encourage skaters to persist.
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