Athleticism is the combination of physical abilities that makes someone good at sports and movement: strength, speed, coordination, agility, and endurance working together. A gymnast flipping through the air, a basketball player changing direction while dribbling at full speed, or a soccer player sprinting down the field all demonstrate athleticism.

True athleticism is about how your body works as a whole system. A football player might be incredibly strong in the weight room, but athleticism is what lets him use that strength while running, jumping, and changing direction during an actual game. A tennis player's athleticism shows in how she moves smoothly from side to side, reaches high for an overhead shot, then quickly gets back into position.

You can develop athleticism through practice and training. Running improves your speed and endurance. Playing catch develops coordination. Dancing builds agility and balance. The more you challenge your body in different ways, the more athletic you become. Some people have natural advantages in certain areas, but almost everyone can improve their athleticism by staying active and trying different physical activities.