Written by As a current (time of writing this article) high school athlete, the high school sports experiences is has lots to offer to any athlete. Teens at the end of their 4 years will take away with them invaluable life lessons, lifelong friendships, and the will to compete. It holds a special place in the hearts of many adolescent athletes and can be considered one of, if not the most exhilarating eras of their lives.
Invaluable Life Lessons
Going through all 4 years in high school, each year will feel like a new beginning in which athletes can focus on becoming a better player and person for the new season. This introduces us to character building in athletes. In high school, student-athletes are taught to balance their sports and academic performance which helps build drive and character that they can take with them after their teenage years. Balancing sports and academics is by no means an easy task, it takes countless hours of practice and often many sleepless nights studying for exams just to maintain a good balance. It’s also very physically and mentally draining but it helps build a student-athletes drive and character of being resilient and staying consistent on task to work towards their goals.
High school sports are also integrated with the values of honoring opponents, integrity, perseverance, and most importantly respect. Something as simple as shaking hands after matches goes a long way to teach adolescents the fundamentals of respect and honor. These help shape student-athletes into the people they will be once they enter the adult world and becoming responsible and ethical citizens.
Lifelong Friendships
High school sports are not only the perfect environment for teens to show off their talent, but also a great social environment where they gain the opportunity to make new connections and engage in friendships that could possibly last a lifetime. In the sports context, there is often a term used to refer to the harmonious effect a team has known as “chemistry.” This effect is present when every member of the team understands each other and communicates effective on and off the field which leads them to success.
To achieve this chemistry, members of a team need to understand each other’s core values such as trust, communication, and understanding. If any of these values are missing, it may effect the way the team plays and how the players interact with each other.
Will To Compete
High School sports present a big stage where many athletes can show off their skills in the hopes of one day playing in a professional league or a scholarship opportunity. With many athletes sharing the same hopes of making it big for themselves or someone else, it introduces an even greater sense of competition amongst each other. The adrenaline rush in games or the sheer determination to win instills athletes with not only the will to compete with their peers, but also the mentality of winning and pushing their limits. This is a lesson they can take with them after their high school days as this work ethic can be fostered in worlds that extend beyond sports.
Competing against other schools generates a sense of pride and school spirit as student-athletes often feel the desire to express that their school is “superior” in a sense to their foes. The support from fellow students, teachers, and the community in general drives the players to perform to the best of their abilities. It creates an electrifying atmosphere and an experience that many people cherish symbolic of their drive and passion for the game.