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More handpicked essays just for you.
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Sports play a big role in the culture of the United States and in those all across the world. They often play an important part in our lives - whether one participates in them or watches them on the television. It is commonly said that sports build character, and I believe that sports have greatly impacted my character in a positive way. My personality represents the strength and mental toughness that I have developed from sports. Throughout my four years of high school I have been involved in many clubs, but my involvement in sports has benefitted me the most. I have played tennis and soccer since my freshman year, being a varsity letter winner for three years in tennis and four years in soccer. My participation in these two sports has taught …show more content…
In soccer, a player’s self-control must stretch far beyond the requirements of dribbling, passing accurately, controlling the ball, and positioning yourself correctly. There are hundreds of challenges in a game - rough tackles, vicious opponents, hard hits, a biased ref - and a player’s discipline can be the difference between winning and losing, which can also be said for tennis. Since tennis is a single sport, a player’s discipline is what determines whether they are going to win or lose. You are on the court by yourself, making decisions and planning strategies on your own. Without discipline, one would not be able to stay cool, calm and collected out on the court. People with discipline almost always do better in life. Whether it means being happy and earning or achieving more, discipline has improved their life in one aspect. By playing soccer and tennis I learned this essential skill to life, which will help me in my college work and with my career …show more content…
Respect is like a foundation of everything positive that comes out of sports. In order to be successful an athlete must respect their coaches, their teammates and their opponents. It is obvious you should respect your coach. Coaches are the ones who shape athletes and makes them what they are. They help reach season goals and keep their team on task. Just like the coach, it is also important to respect your teammates. Every single player on the team are important in the aspect of success. Even though tennis is a single sport, to win the match overall more than half the players on the team have to win. If you do not respect your teammates, it affects the way you play which could cause a negative outcome. Lastly, you should always respect your opponent and show sportsmanship. If you respect your opponents, they may share tips that can benefit you. Through respecting my opponents I have made friends from different
In the article, “Get Off That Couch and Play”, it states, “Students learn important life skills such as how to accept criticism, how to handle oneself under the pressure of competition, how to work hard toward a goal, how to win and lose graciously” (“Get Off That Couch and Play” 1). In sports, teens can learn how to accept criticism from their coaches, athletes have to learn that they do not do everything right and at some point they will get corrected by a coach and have to learn how to deal with that and accept it. Also, during middle school sports children learn how to handle themselves under pressure. A teammate may be pressuring them to work harder, or to score a goal and an athlete needs to learn how to stay calm while the pressure is riding on them. Furthermore, working hard towards a goal is taught throughout middle school sports because setting a goal you want to achieve is important to how you perform while competing.
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.
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.
Sports play a very important role in my life ever since I could walk. My interests in playing sports began at the age of three as my parents signed me up for soccer, flag football, basketball, and lacrosse. First grade started my competitive edge as I began to play for travel teams in various sport tournaments. This competitive edge transferred from the sports field to the classroom having teachers and coaches helping me be the best I can be. Sports have continually well-shaped and defined my character by teaching me how to accept a win from working hard, also how a loss is an opportunity to learn and fix mistakes.
I’ve always been the type of person that truly enjoys athletics and have participated in nearly all sports offered to me. I started playing sports in elementary with club softball and basketball. As I entered my middle and high school years I was able to add the school sanctioned sports to my list of activities. This afforded me the opportunity of competing in volleyball, basketball, golf, track and softball. The camaraderie and life lessons of sports seemed invaluable to me.
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 do not build character. They reveal it” said John Wooden, Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach. Sports have become very popular over past years and it seems like nobody really joins the sport knowing the true benefits coming from these sports. After all, most people do watch sports on tv more than reality shows or movies. Many teens join sports in their high school years, and most don’t know that these sports are the things keeping teens out of conflicts. A new disagreement has arisen over whether or not sports can keep teens out of trouble. Participating in sports keeps teens out of trouble because it prevents depression and stress, creates a community, and averts boredom.
Lucy Calkins an expert writer and reader, said “Students learn important life skills such as how to accept criticism, how to handle oneself under the pressure of competition, how to work hard toward a goal, how to win and lose graciously” (“Get off that couch and play,” 2014). This quote proves the competitive sports are helpful for youth because it shows how the students learn how to accept criticism, handle oneself under pressure, and how to lose because in life they will be criticized on most things and lose repeatedly. In addition, Kirk Mango, an author Coach and, athlete, said, “The hope is that through making the "right" choices the athlete develops a solid code of ethical standards they learn to follow, thus, supporting and developing strong character and integrity within” (“Sports: The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today’s Sports Climate,” 2012). This quote supports the idea that sports are good for youth saying that sports help make the right choices making the youth gain a good personality and belief in one self to guide them through life and business. Not to mention Kirk Mango, an author, coach and athlete said, “When one takes a good look at the wide range of benefits available to those who participate competitively in sports, one cannot help but see how comprehensive they could be in the development of a well-rounded individual” (“Sports: The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today’s Sports Climate," 2012).
In playing sports and in life, there are certain goals that you plan to achieve. Having self-discipline will help you to work hard and smart enough to achieve these goals. A personal example of learning self- discipline, was when I failed my first fitness test for college softball. At first I felt defeated and like I was never going to pass. Then I decided that I was going to work on eating better, and running more so that I was able to pass and help my team win. I was able to discipline myself so that when I ran again I was able to pass with ease. Having this self-discipline enabled me to achieve a goal that I though was impossible. This is why I try to instill these skills into my athletes, so that they are able to feel the joy of achieving a personal
Ultimately, everything that a coach could say or do poorly, this is how the team may perform during the game. However, if a coach expressed positive sportsmanship, the team or players have a better chance of playing at a higher level, and play with sportsmanship. Also, if coaches aren’t focusing on just winning, but more about learning and enjoying the game, the kids are more are likely encouraged to stay out for the sport. Studies have shown that kids don’t care about winning they care about learning the game and having fun. Coaches who have a positive attitude towards the kids, and show them how to play the sport while having fun, are will more likely stay out for the
It has been known a proven fact that participation in high school sports encourages better moods, self-esteem, and a higher level of academic achievement. This has been proven through various studies, one of them being a study done in New York. In 2006, the Carnegie Corporation of New York discovered that students benefited from participating in high school sports. An improvement in grades, confidence, and personal health and welfare were appreciably noted in ...
Sports play a crucial part in current contemporary society. It is a necessary piece of life fundamental for the physical and mental prosperity of people (Craig and Beedie, 2016). It is a physical action as well as a range where individuals socially communicate. Ellison-Brown (2015) stated that sports provide basis for a lifetime participation in regular exercise, development of mental and moral qualities and help people channel their energy and aggression in a controlled and constructive way. For a great many people, sports assume a central part whether as aloof observers or dynamic members.
Living in country like Vietnam, soccer is the king of sport. That is why it is not surprising that my childhood has grown up with the soccer’s ball until today. My mom told me that I liked kicking the ball around and had so much fun with it when I was only about two years old. Since then, playing soccer is my favorite’s sport and it is my hobby whenever I have free time. It is interesting and amazing, especially the feeling when I score a goal or my teammates do it. That feeling fulfills in me like I have just archived something very important. Playing soccer also helps me to relax and be confident when I have stress and frustration. For instant, after doing assignment or studying all day long, I feel tired and exhausted. However, having fun with the ball such as kicking it against the wall or trying to do some tricks, all of my tiresome and exhaustion die out.