Most of us who play team sports do it for fun, but there are several other benefits. I used to play in an adult soccer league, but my experience translates to playing Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and other team sports. Our sports uniform page has more sports.
1 – Exercise and the ‘Runner’s High.’
We all know it’s fun to get together and play as adults, but there is something called the ‘runner’s high’ that I only ever got to while playing an intense soccer game. The feeling is euphoric. My face is flush red, my shirt is wet with sweat, and I feel alive and happy. Just thinking about it makes me want to experience it again.
I could never reach this ‘runner’s high’ when exercising alone at home or the gym. Playing on a team pushes me to a much higher effort and results. Like most of us, I want to do well in front of my teammates.
Even if your sport is less intense there is ample research on the benefit of exercise. And we know that the easiest way to exercise is to play!
2 – Playing as a Team – Being social
Being social may seem obvious, but it takes some learning to compete hard and remain social. I have witnessed teammates that played too hard or were too selfish, causing tension on the team.
I was guilty of being selfish on my soccer team. I like to shine and be the goal scorer on the team. One time I got very frustrated. It had been several games where I didn’t score a goal. The harder I tried, the worst I did.
I made a decision that shifted things. I decided in the next game I will only pass the ball and not try to score. Even when I had a chance to score, I looked for a teammate to pass the ball to.
Something magical happened. A few times, the teammate would pass me the ball back. At this point, the goalie was out of position and I scored two goals that way. I was having fun again, and I learned not to be selfish, it was more fun for me and for my teammates.
3 – Improve mood and reduce stress
Team sports combine the benefits of exercise with the fun of socializing. We can exercise alone at home at the gym and have some stress reduction. We can go out and socialize and improve our mood. But only team sports combine the benefits of both exercise and socializing.
After a good game, it’s pure fun to go for a drink or a byte. Sitting around, discussing the game, reconstructing reality to make our team look great and paint the other team as a bunch of fouling brutes. Cheers!
4 – Leadership and social positioning
Playing on a team gives you a chance to step up and be a leader on the pitch. Maybe your teammates are friends or co-workers or strangers. Either way, you get to step up and practice your leadership skills.
On the pitch, you can call on your teammates to step up. Encourage and celebrate good performances. Remember, everyone celebrates the big scorers, but who notices the hard-working defenders? Go to a teammate after the game and mention some less obvious thing. Like, great defensive work today or excellent passing. Everyone likes to feel appreciated.
Playing on the team gives you a chance to present a different side of yourself in front of friends or co-workers.
5 – Tribe and sense of belonging
‘No man or woman is an island.’
It’s in our human nature to want to belong to a tribe. It is how we were able to survive and thrive throughout history. Being on a team gives us a sense of belonging, being part of our large ‘family’, working together towards a common goal.
We benefit from the feeling of being a contributor and also learning to get help when we need it. Relying on the help of others and offering our contributions to the group helps us feel fulfilled and connected.
And, of course, a bunch of laughs and fun!
Bonus Benefit – Getting out of our heads.
Someone once told me: ” get out of your head, it’s a dangerous place to be”. Being on a team is an effective way of ‘getting out of our heads.’ Many of us spend time thinking and worrying about ourselves and our loved ones.
Being on a team is a chance to be present and in the moment. It is ‘being in the game,’ having fun, being with teammates.
It’s medicine for the soul.
Custom Printed Sport Uniforms
Of course, you can be on a team without any team uniforms. As kids, we played shirts or skins, or just remembered who is on which team. It worked, and it was fun.
But it’s another level when you step onto the pitch with the whole team wearing custom printed uniforms. The design you created is crisply screen printed on the front. The personalized name and number are on the back. The looks good and organized, like a well-oiled machine, ready to take on the opposing team.
Some of our most popular sports uniform pages:
Custom printed baseball uniforms
Custom printed hockey Jerseys
Customized Basketball Jerseys
We have many more sports team uniforms: Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Rugby, Bowling, and Cycling.
And of course, you can add personalized names and numbers to all.
Go out and play and have fun!
