High school athletics can be an integral part of the development of teenage students to young adults. Team sports teach fundamental values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, time management, confidence, commitment, and, most importantly, how to win and lose gracefully. These principles positively mold youths and instill life skills that are vital for teenagers to evolve into functioning adults. During my time in high school, activities that influenced my development came from the athletic teams in which I participated. In total, I played three different sports. Each came with a unique challenge and taught me invaluable lessons that have influenced the person that I have become.
In my freshman year, I tried out for the freshman basketball team and instead of making the team, I was appointed to be the team manager. Under this position, I was essentially an assistant coach and the sixteenth man. I went to every practice and worked out with the team, but never played in an actual game. Instead, I donned shirt and tie and sketched out plays with the coach on the bench. With this in mind, I focused my efforts on motivating my teammates rather than myself. This humbling
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Acclimatizing to the new sport, I partnered up with a returning player and played doubles. I soon discovered that my teammate and I were of different skill levels. The solution was to create a system of communication that bolstered each other and work together as a cohesive unit. It became apparent that our mutual success depended on both of us bringing not only our best physical abilities to each match but consistently supporting each other mentally as the ultimate step towards final victory. We finished the season after being knocked out of the regional doubles tournament, yet achieved student-athlete All-State Academic Team
Stephen D. Keener, writer for the New York Times, says in his article Sports Teach Kids Valuable Lessons, “The lessons young players gain between the foul lines have guided some to become astronauts, emergency first responders, bestselling authors, military heroes, professional athletes and even president of the United States” (Keener). Keener talks about how playing on a sports team as a child can teach the kid very important characteristics, like: teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship. Any kid who wants to get a job when they’re older is going to have to know how to work well with people, which is where learning the skill of teamwork is so huge. Considering Ripley’s point about sports lowering academics, Keener argues, “These lessons directly translate into the classroom and beyond” (Keener). These are some very important lessons I think that kids can benefit from
The second year of the competition, I was only one of two returning students. I took an active role in recruiting new students, and our membership doubled. It was a complete role reversal for me because all of a sudden I was the experienced team member. We finished fifth out of forty teams at the regional competition, and at the national tournament, we placed in the top third.
Sports are a popular pastime among all ages and types of people. People not only participate in them for fun, but also for money, physical fitness, rush of competition, and for many other personal reasons. Playing sports is especially common among young people in schools. Athletics are great and enjoyable for many reasons, but there can be a point where sports participation can go too far and become negative for children and adults. Sports specialization for young people is an increasing trend that results in sports having a negative impact on individuals and society.
Being involved in a school sports team can help students develop skills like teamwork. When Junior made the basketball team, Junior said, “My coach and the other players wanted me to be good. They needed me to be good. They expected me to be good. And so I became good.”(180). Alexie is trying to show that playing a sport and working with a team
High school sports are approached with clashing opinions. Some of these opinions are positive, and supportive of athletics. “Athleticism, among many activities, offers teens a physical outlet to exert their troubles, anger, emotions, and other feelings” (Chen 1). This can be observed in nearly all of the football players in Friday Night Lights. This can also be noticed in the world today. “Athletics help high school students understand their own abilities and talents” (Chen 1). This piece of evidence is very accurate when describing high school athletes. Sports can make a high school student humble. As can be seen by the preceding information, high school athletics can have a positive impact on a student’s life.
...lways have to try your best and want to win. Sports also teach students teamwork skills. In order to succeed you need to have the ability work with others.
As most children did, I had the choice to play whatever sport I wanted. Considering my height, 5’10, most would assume that I played either basketball or volleyball. No one expected me to play tennis, and was surprised when I said that I did. During my elementary years, I played softball for seven years, and when I hit eighth grade, I decided to play tennis. My decision came about because of my sister. I had always followed closely in her footsteps because I looked up to her a lot, so when I saw she was playing; I wanted to try it out too. I had never really thought about what it would be like to play tennis. I didn’t hate it, or really know what it would be like to play it. And little did I know that playing would demand so much time, energy, and effort.
Some schools that still have middle school sports have realized that when a kid plays a sport, they learn new skills that they can apply to real life. For example, an article states, “Participants in middle school sports teams can develop interpersonal and leadership skills and increase their social circles.” ("Should Middle Schools
After middle school, my next goal was to become the star at my high schools basketball team. Unfortunately when I arrived the talent was much greater than it was in high school. There were kids in my grade who were dunking and at the time, and I could barely touch the net. Undaunted by the task I participated in a scrimmage with the Varsity team. The first time I got the ball I was open, so I shot the ball and missed the shot. I still kept my head up and after missing my first three shot attempts I decided that it was not my night so I tried to have a positive impact on
American’s love their sports and they get pretty offensive when it comes to their sports. On one hand you have a group of people that love sports and believe that they are fundamental especially in schools. On the other hand there is a group of people that don’t feel the same way as those other people do. Some people believe that there shouldn’t be sports in schools. Now these people have great facts about what is happening and why there shouldn’t be sports in school. There reasons being education is being put to the side, too much money is spent on sports, and finally that there could be lifelong problems from sport injuries in school.
Participation in sports has proven to increase self-discipline and self-esteem, and can teach athletes to learn from their mistakes and move on (Issitt). Athletes playing team sports also develop the ability to work well with others and use teamwork in their everyday lives. Teammates form relationships that are strengthened over a common passion and goal. These relationships can last long after high school is over (Chen). These social skills translate into better communication used with an athlete’s family, peers, and in the community. Likewise, “A 2006 study in Maryland found that student athletes are 15 percent more likely than non athletes to be involved in their communities and to take the time for civic engagements, including participating in voting and volunteer activities” (Issitt). The same study also concluded that athletes are far more likely to be comfortable with public speaking than non-athletes. This study provides concrete evidence that high school sports can help to gain mental and social skills that will be used later in life
Sports programs have been an integral part of all schools. They support the academics of the school and therefore foster success in life. These programs are educational and help produce productive citizenship. They help students experience and build skills that may help them in their future, like interpersonal and time management skills. Education may kindle the light of knowledge, but sports help to maintain the proper physique. Sports are also an important means of entertainment and a use for energy after long hours of study. Sports increase a student’s performance not only in the classroom but also in their life.
Also containing leadership characteristics helps athletes with their social skills. Worsnop, Richard L. points out “there is a general agreement that the nation’s high schools have performed well as the farm system for college sports programs”. In other words team sports presents valuable life lessons and experiences within a group setting. There are endless situations that could take place between the teammates or with the opponents during the game. The fans or known as the community displays a huge part in the sports world and how they distribute their insight on it. Statistics have shown that “ High school teams command legions of devoted fans locally and nationally” (Worsnop). As shown the community is devoted to all types of sports and they see athletes representation and how they react in certain situations. For example the sports that involve physical contact like football and basketball could get out of
The involvement in team sports builds good character and social development skills in children. According to LHSAA executive director, Kenny Henderson “Children who participate in sports have heightened self-esteem, social skills, ability to work well with others and more respect.” Young adults who have played team sports are less likely to take illegal drugs. Adults who played sports as children have better social and leadership skills. Sports provide children with experiences and interactions necessary to grow into an adult with good character and sufficient social skills. Team sports in grade school can offer children and teenager an outlet for stress and negative emotional build-up. Coaches, practices, games or meets and traveling all have a large impact on a person’s charter. Most children who have played a team sport at some time have character traits found in highly successful adults.
The main goals behind Sport Education are to help students become knowledgeable about different sports and activities to the point where they can participate in these outside of the classroom to stay active. Also it teaches execution and strategies and encourages competitiveness. It is important for kids to be competitive because they will have to be in life and it will teach the importance of winning and losing the right way. “Sports offer kids a great chance to work cooperatively toward a common goal. And working coope...