Code of Conduct

In High School there always seems to be the question of drinking or doing drugs. Whether you have participated in this before or not, I'm sure it has crossed your mind. Drinking in High School seems to be a common trend that a lot of students do. I am not one to tell others how to live their life, but jut be smart and know the consequences.

Drinking in high school is very illegal and if caught you could get into serious trouble. If you are an athlete the consequences could very unfortunate for your career plans. Athletes who are caught breaking the code of conduct can be forced to sit out of their sport's season, or at least part of it. This will also tremendously affect your future plans if you want to play in college. 

Drinking doesn't make you cool or get you in with the so-called popular group. People do have their reasons for drinking, but I think there are other ways to solve your problems. If you're doing it just to have fun, you're probably not thinking about the consequences. I am not trying to bash people who drink or make you feel awful about yourself, because it's not my future that is at stake. If you are an athlete the stakes are a lot higher and really could put your athletic career at a downhill slope. The first offense punishment is to sit out up to one third of the season. The second offense has an athlete sitting out up to half of the season and three or more offenses can have an athlete sitting out for up to a year. Think about your plans for the future before making one of these kinds of decisions.

Not only will drinking or doing drugs affect your playing time and college career, but the way your coaches and teammates look at you. Your coach might not trust you at all anymore if they find out and your teammates, I hope, would be disappointed. Your teammates are playing for you and expect you to be there for them as well. By breaking the code of conduct you are letting you and your team down. Think about your actions and the consequences they bring with them before making an executive decision. If you can accept the consequences then so be it, but remember once respect is lost it is hard to earn back.

Stats: Good or Bad?

Any high school sports team that is somewhat high up in the rankings takes stats and is fairly good at being consistent. Whether it is free throw percentage or number of kills in a game, these statistics help show not only coaches, but players how they are doing on the court. Statistics are a great thing to have, but they can sometimes have a negative effect on athletes and the way they think.

Statistics are a way to show coaches which of the players has the highest percentage in certain areas. This helps coaches make difficult decisions when deciding who to play. Most coaches I have had do not rely only on percentages to decide the starting lineup. They look for who works the hardest, is the most dedicated, has the highest skill level, and then go to the statistics for a final decision. Stats are important, but not overly important to the point that you should worry about them. Your stats do not make or break you as a player.

Stats can become something that fuels you to do better, but you should not focus on just getting good stats. With time and dedication your percentages will rise on their own. If you focus on the game and your team you will soon see an increase in your stats. Stats are a way for individuals to see what they need to work on, but should not become something that takes focus away from your team. Your team is the most important thing. Athletes need to always be playing for their teammates, and stop playing for themselves.

Statistics can be both a good and bad thing to have, depending on the way you use them. Statistics do not define an athlete and should only be used to better the team. Yes, it is nice to have a high digging percentage or the top number of block assists, but this does not tell your story as an athlete. Your story is what you make it and how you carry yourself. Athletes need to understand that it is not all about being the best on the team, but about being the best leader for your team. Someone who always has a positive attitude, focuses on helping others, and simply loves the game itself is the kind of person coaches want on the court. Good statistics is just the icing on the cake.

Mental Connection to Injuries

Many athletes have experienced some type of injury during their career that might prohibit them from playing one hundred percent like themselves. It's not fun to not be able to do what you once did before. Some athletes are more unlucky than others though. They get hit with constant injuries, but it is important to determine the seriousness of an injury. For example in volleyball you should treat someone who has an ACL injury differently than someone who simply broke a finger. It is still very possible for the person with a broken finger to play, while an ACL injury takes months of rehab before getting back on the court.

An extremely important factor when it comes to injuries is the athlete’s mentality. You don't want to push yourself past the limits of your injury, but you also want to be smart about your playing time. I see too many people sit out of practice because their stomach hurts or they have a headache. Yes, migraines are a little different and can become very serious and should be taken seriously, but a minor headache is not a reason to sit out. Your mind can control how you're feeling. If you tell yourself you're okay and push yourself to do your best it will definitely pay off in the end. 

When pushing yourself, mind and physical body, you should do so in a safe manner. Be smart. If your doctor recommends you don't play, you probably shouldn't play. If you have a simple stomachache do as much as you can at practice and who knows, you might forget about it. 

Mental toughness plays a very important role at practice. Half of the problem is your mind. If you're thinking about the pain, it's going to make it worse. Athletes can cope with their injuries a lot easier if they just have a positive attitude. Positivity will go a long ways. Your mind is a powerful thing, but so are you. Put the two together and you can truly make a difference. Mental toughness is a necessity when it comes to sports. If you believe you can do something, you’re already setting yourself up for success. Don’t cave in to the little pains you get while playing, because everyone gets those. Sports aren’t supposed to be easy. You have to push yourself to achieve your goals. They won’t be handed to you.

Fund Raising

Athletes play sports for the love of the game. If your heart isn't in the game at all times there's no point in wasting money just to take up your free time. Sports do cost a lot of money and can be hard to make fit in your budget. If you decide to play club as well, which is recommended if you want to play in college, it gets even more expensive. The costs cover the trips, hotels, souvenirs, coaching, equipment, uniforms, food, and entry fees. There are lots of ways you can spend your money when you are an athlete or a parent of an athlete, but there are also ways to earn money for your sport.

Fund raising comes in many shapes and sizes. You can sell foods for example. This can be anything like cookies, cakes, pizzas, or candy bars. Most teams have a fund raiser that they give out to provide athletes with a way of paying their fees. Coaches know sports are expensive and will do whatever it takes to help an athlete out, if they are kind and hard working. 

Another way to earn some money is to go out and sell bench warmer tickets. Only some schools have things like this that you can go out and sell to people in the community. It connects directly to the NFL season and can earn buyers money. It's kind of a gamble, but that's what makes it fun.

Asking for donations isn't always too in the list of ways to earn money and is usually a last resort. It is somewhat uncomfortable to ask people to just hand out money to you and can be embarrassing if you truly need help, but there are ways to make it less awkward. There are now websites out there that are used to fund people in whatever they want. It provides people with a way to get some donations. The best pet about this is that you don't even have to know who it came from. Some people like to leave anonymous donations. It is truly heartwarming when someone gives to others in need. 

Now I know sports aren't a necessity and athletes should choose who they play for wisely. When I say this I mean athletes should take their family's finances into consideration. Sports are expensive, and your family should always come first in my opinion. There are other ways to play the sport you love without it costing so much and if you put in some hard work you can achieve a spot at a more expensive place.

Not all athletes need help with raising money for their family, but I think it is a good thing to do either way. Parents put so much money into athletes and I'm sure would love a little help. It's always nice to give back to your parents who are, in fact, your biggest supporters. By raising a little money you can make it a little easier on your parents. Sports are pricey, but if you truly love them it is totally worth every penny spent.  

Pep Assemblies

Most schools have a ton of sports to choose from. Athletes can participate and earn state championships or achieve their own personal goals. Sports are a big part of high school, especially if you're an athlete. Many schools focus a lot of their attention to sports, but others don't. A great way to get the school more involved in sports is by hosting pep assemblies. Pep assemblies are a great way to give recognition to hard working teams and athletes. There are many other great aspects of pep assemblies as well.

Pep assemblies are extremely fun and a way to make great memories. If your school is really into school spirit you can have little competitions to make the assembly even more entertaining and something to look forward to. Some schools have a spirit stick award that goes to the winning class. It becomes a huge competition to see, ultimately, which class is considered the best. It can get pretty heated and is so fun to be a part of. This gets people to have more school spirit and get excited.

Another reason pep assemblies are great is because it gives not only athletes, but other students recognition for what they do. Many people put a lot of time and hard work into their extracurricular activities because it is something that they love. Overall, pep assemblies are somewhat educational and inspiring, yet you really do look forward to it.

Who wants to sit through a boring assembly where they just rattle off a bunch of names and send you on your way? These assemblies can drag on and seem to last forever. Administrators can spice up their assemblies and create a new tradition that will definitely be something students remember. Plus who doesn't want to see a little friendly competition? It doesn't hurt anything and can really get everyone pumped up and maybe even persuade them to attend some of the extracurricular activities that are talked about. Pep assemblies are a way to bring everyone together. It unites students and brings a more family-like bond. The closer students are, the stronger the school is.

Student Sections

There are many sports that high schools have to offer as extra-curricular activities and provide entertainment for fans. Not only does this give athletes something to do with their free time, but students at the school who do not participate something to do as well. Watching sports can be just as fun as playing them, if you plan it well enough and get enough people to go.

The main contributor to the crowd usually seems to be the student section. Many schools have certain games that they all plan to wear the same thing, whether it is your school colors, a camouflage out, jersey out, black out, white out, costume out, or other choice of clothing. A lot of people also choose to wear face paint or bandanas to events like football games to add to the fun. There are other ways you can make games fun to attend as well.

Many students like to bring things like baby powder, signs, and towels to wave/throw around to add color to the crowd. The brighter your section looks the better. It's all about intimidating the other team and having the most school spirit. You can also show your schools spirit by making up your own cheers. Getting the entire crowd to participate in cheers will definitely show school spirit. Cheerleaders can help get cheers started as well. The louder the better!

While it may not be easy to think of things to do for games, there are ways to plan it out. You can share your thoughts on social media. Some schools have their own personal student section twitter page to give out information about upcoming and past games/events. This is not only a way to organize your ideas and get out information easily, but to show your school spirit even more. This might create a little competition among student sections and bring the intensity of the game up a notch.

Sports are fun to play, but they might not be for everyone. Having a very involved student section will provide students who can't play sports, or just don't, with a fun way to spend their free time. This will bring students together to create a more family-like environment and increase support for sports. Student sections can play a big role in the outcome of a game, because it truly does add to the intensity. Sports are a way to bring many different groups together!

Starting Out Young

There are many athletes out there that can say they have played the sport they love their entire life. Their parents must have started them out young and somewhat influenced the passion their child has for the sport. It is great to start children out playing multiple sports to get them interested early on. This will help them later when they are wanting to decide what to play in high school, if they choose to stick with sports. Knowing what practices are like will help kids get an idea of if they will enjoy playing in high school.

Some high school athletes cannot say they have played the sport they love for most of their life. Some of the best athletes have only started their sport right into high school. I'm not saying you shouldn't encourage your kids when they are young, because I am all for that. Some athletes are naturally talented and I think it is good to spark a love for the sport early on to get kids working hard young. Sports aren’t for everyone though and shouldn’t be forced upon others.

Sports take a lot of time and dedication, but you don't want your kids to get burnt out early on. I have seen athletes lose passion for the sport they used to love, simply because they have been doing the same thing for so long. Other athletes could never get burnt out and keep going strong throughout the years. This all depends on the person and can't really be determined when they're kids. It is all up to the parents to see if they want to encourage sports soon. It can lead to a world of success and ultimately determine your kid’s future.

I, truthfully, am for getting kids to try sports early on, but if they do not want to do it or do not enjoy it you shouldn't force it. Some kids are more into the arts, or simply don't like to be involved. Let kids choose who they want to be. You can encourage them to be involved, but I do not believe in forcing children to participate in extracurricular activities. Sports are a way to make friends and memories throughout the school years, but some people just aren't in the sports world like us athletes. Not every single person's world revolves around sports, unfortunately, although we’d like to believe it does.

Volleyball in Iowa

Iowa is stuck in the middle of the country, landlocked and dead center. Volleyball in Iowa is different than other states, because we have different things to offer. You tend to see that teams on the east and west coast are extremely good and have some of the best teams in the country, but that doesn't mean we are out of the competition. One of the things I'd like to confront is the lack of men's volleyball teams in Iowa.

Men's volleyball in Iowa is very small. I do not know of a school in Iowa that has a guys team as well as a girls. Illinois is full of men's volleyball teams, yet they are right next to us. This makes no sense to me, other than it's just not Iowa's tradition. I would really enjoy seeing more men's teams pop up in our state. Going into the regional finals of men's club is somewhat sad. The teams aren't as advanced, because the numbers of guys who want to play are slim.

Iowa is very unique, because we do have some very good players. Most of our excellent players end up going to schools on the east or west coast though. This is not meant to put down any of our teams, because the schools in Iowa have outstanding volleyball teams, but it just seems to me that we don't get the recognition we deserve. Iowa is full of amazing, hardworking players, but it's not something we are known for. I think Iowa is on the rise and is hopefully going to be known for some good volleyball.

Playing volleyball in Iowa is an amazing thing. With women's volleyball on the rise, men's is starting to go down in Iowa. Men's volleyball is one of the best things to watch. I highly recommend watching a men's volleyball game if you get the chance. These guys jump extremely high and can put the ball down in the blink of an eye. This is not to put down the women’s teams, but it is just a whole different environment.  Both women’s and men’s volleyball is extremely interesting to watch and can truly amaze you. The athletes put everything on the court and never give up. Volleyball is just amazing as a whole. It is the best sport out there in my opinion and teaches you amazing lessons that will follow you through life.

The Cost of Playing

Athletes put their time and effort into the sports they love. This takes a lot of dedication and is something you must be committed to if you intend on playing in college. Not only is dedication a big part of playing sports, but money. You must always take into consideration the costs of playing sports when deciding whether or not you want to go out or play. Whether it is for equipment or the coaching, sports do cost quite a bit, especially if you play club sports. For example, club volleyball is pretty expensive.

There are a lot of things you need to play volleyball, whether it is club or not. Just the basic necessities to play volleyball can get to be a little pricey. Volleyball shoes can cost up to two hundred dollars, with the minimum being around eighty dollars, unless you find a good deal. This and the price of socks, spandex, and knee pads might be a little too much. Spandex cost around thirty dollars each and you usually need at least three pairs.

Another thing you must take into consideration when deciding to play club volleyball is the price of playing alone. The costs of playing club range anywhere from eight hundred dollars to two thousand. This does not even include the price of staying at a hotel, getting food at tournaments, or buying souvenirs. Sometimes clubs even add in another price for jerseys, separate from the total cost. All in all playing club volleyball is extremely expensive, especially if you buy a forty dollar sweatshirt at every qualifying tournament.

The costs of playing sports shouldn't be a huge deal breaker when choosing whether or not to play, but it definitely needs to be something somewhat in your family’s budget. You don't want to make your family financially unstable just because you want to play a sport. There are many ways to get deals and clubs usually understand if you cannot afford it. The cost of playing sports is high and does take a lot of dedication, but if you truly love it, it is worth every ounce of money and time you put into it. Sports can bring a lot of joy into your life and even lead to scholarships in college. It all depends on how committed you are and how much time you are willing to put into the sport. Sports might be a little pricey, but the athlete determines how much they get out of their money.

Dedication in College

Many athletes have hopes of playing a sport in college. This is a dream tons of athletes around the world share. Some have higher aspirations of going professional and earning a living off their talent and hard work. While going to college for sports is great, you must know the dedication it takes. There are many things you need to take into consideration before you jump right into the whole college athlete thing.

High school sports are very different than college sports. The coaches in college take sports much more seriously, most of the time. These coaches are payed the big bucks to train you for your years in college. Playing a sport in college is a year-long dedication. As long as you are a part of the team, you will always have some responsibilities. this includes working out in the off season, going to open gyms, and practicing daily for long periods of time when in-season. The responsibilities of playing in college are much higher and something athletes need to take very seriously, especially if you have a scholarship. 

Knowing I am a high school athlete shows that I have not learned and experienced these things for myself. I imagine the amount of commitment to your sport depends on the school you go to and the division your sport is in. Division 1 sports seem to be the biggest commitment, while maybe a division 3 school is still very committed, but a lot less stressful. When it comes to choosing a college to go to there are a lot of things to take into consideration. The NCAA website shows sample questions to ask yourself when debating colleges. Not only is stress, commitment, and responsibility of playing a sport important, but going to a school that suits your hopes for your future.

Playing sports in college takes a lot of dedication, no matter the school, if you hope to be successful. The amount of effort you put in will ultimately determine how far you go in the sport. Each school has different levels of commitment to their sport. When choosing a college it is extremely important to think about your life later on. Don't choose a school simply for athletics. Make sure it fits the subject you want to go into and make smart decisions. College is supposed to be the first step towards adulthood, so don't screw it up.

Running: My Stress Reliever

Many people bash running, because they think it is extremely boring or too much work. One thing I have found about running is that it provides me with a time for myself. I can go out on a run and not have a care in the world and be away from everyone including my family. Sometimes it is nice to not have to constantly be around people and have time to actually hear your own thoughts. Running provides me with alone time to listen to music, think about life, and forget all my worries.

One thing that is great about going on runs is that you control your pace. No one is next to you from the track team, or just one of your friends that want to speed it up or slow it down. If you all of a sudden aren't feeling like running, you can walk. If you want to run as fast as you can, you can do that too. No one is next to you trying to have a conversation that you're simply not interested in. I'm sorry, but some days I do not feel like talking to anyone. I don't mind listening to conversations, but when I run I am running to be with myself. Track is a different story though.

During track season I dread going out to run most days, because I don't like to think of running as an assignment. Your coach says you must run a certain distance or keep a certain pace for a certain amount of time. I'm a runner that just likes to go out and run for fun. This gets rid of my stress and gives me something to work on alone. Track is great and truly pushes you to the limits, but I guess I am more interested in running just to run.

I encourage everyone to try running in your free time to see if it can be a stress reliever for yourself as well. If not, at least you tried it. I think every person needs to find one thing that provides comfort and calms them down when they are not having a great day. Everyone needs something to fall back on when times get hard. Finding this stress reliever will be extremely beneficial and help you not be so overwhelmed. There are many things that help get people's minds off of work, school, sports, etc. This might include running, knitting, cooking, reading, lifting, listening to music, or watching television. Each person has something they love to do in their free time and this can become your escape from reality.

The Life of an Athlete

Many athletes know the struggle of keeping up with their social life, academics, and sports. It is very difficult to spend eight hours at school, go to a two hour practice right after school, then be expected to go home and do at least two hours of homework each night, and make time for friends. The weekend is usually the only source of free time you will get, but even then you sometimes can't hang out. 

Athletes sometimes have weekend practices, which interfere with other plans. Some people might also put off all the homework due at a later date for the weekend. I know I am guilty of this and find myself in piles of homework every Sunday night. Not only do I have homework and sports on the weekend, but I also have to work six hour shifts on Sunday's sometimes. With football games on Friday nights, the only day I have free to do homework is Saturday. Sometimes you just need a break from everything. This is why planning your week is very important.

I think all student athletes should dedicate one day on the weekend to homework and the other day to do whatever you want. I think it is extremely important to have a break in the middle of the week to provide some relief to the stress of having so much to do. I know that I sometimes get super stressed out and start to freak out at night when I am overwhelmed with everything. Taking a day off to not think about school and sports is something I could definitely use.

Not all people have the option of taking off a day during the weekend. This can be solved by simply trying to get homework done before Sunday night. This will ensure a good night sleep on Sunday and give you a couple of hours before to just relax. I think it is very important for people to simply be lazy every once in a while. There comes a point where you just need to lay in your bed and do absolutely nothing. I find the biggest relief from stress to be simply laying in my bed thinking about nothing. It sounds ridiculous, but I just need some time to myself.

The importance of education is so very high that it can sometimes be very overwhelming. Sports and school might be a top priority for student athletes, but you need to think about yourself first. You need to be happy. Don't think about all your responsibilities for one second and just do what you want. It's not worth doing if it won't benefit you in the long run. Your happiness comes before others and if that means taking a day off from homework then do it. I do not mean ditch the homework altogether, but choose another day to finish it. Planning your week can be very beneficial and is something I think all student athletes should use and take advantage of.

The State Tournament

Many athletes dream of participating in the State Tournament or becoming state champs. The feeling you get while playing at state is unexplainable and such a wonderful experience. With the fans in the stands and other teams competing next to you, you can't help but smile. The State Tournament is a great experience and something every athlete should look forward to if given the opportunity. There are many things that make State so great and worth the hard work.

The first reason making it to State is a terrific experience is because, well, you made it to state! Anyone should be proud of making it to state and working hard throughout the season. State is a great accomplishment and a place to make memories.

Another reason going to state is great in so many ways, is that you get to play next to the best teams out there. There is not a bad team that will be easy to beat. You can't really be in a bad mood. You get to just go out there, have fun, and work your butt of to advance in the tournament. While there is a team that must lose, it is still a great feeling knowing your team made it this far. 

The third reason going to state is a wonderful experience is that you get to watch other teams up close and feel special for a day. You get to experience the fans firsthand and be around people who are there to support you. The State tournament is exciting, yet a little nerve wracking. Your nerves push you to do better, and the adrenaline gets you going. Playing at State might be one of your best games, because you are so happy to be there. Don't be nervous. Just have fun and do what you know best. It is not something to stress over.

The state tournament is something all teams should strive for and experience at least once in their life. Through hard work and dedication, any team can accomplish this goal. It is something you will keep with you forever. Keep working hard and you will eventually get to make one of the best memories of your high school career. 

Watching Film

One thing that might really benefit teams is watching film. I know many sports teams do this to see the tendencies of their opponents and scout the best players of the opposing team. I think watching film is extremely beneficial to a team's preparations both mentally and physically. This allows teams to create a good mindset and physically make changes according to the other team's tendencies. How do teams get film though? Why is film good to have? There are many factors that make film a necessity to some sports teams.

One reason film seems like a necessity is because it provides preparation for your team's physical state. By watching film on other teams you can see their normal plays and how they react in certain situations. This will help your team make changes in practice that could terminate the other team. Knowing what you need to change is very helpful. Physical preparation is extremely important, but so is mental preparation.

Mental preparation can play a key role in your team's performance. If your mind is not in the game, things will probably not go well for you. When team's watch film it can prepare you for what will actually happen at the game. By seeing the players' body language and reactions, you can imagine yourself playing against them. If you imagine yourself winning, you are taking the next step towards success. 

There are many ways teams can get film on other teams. There are websites like Hudl that give you access to other teams' videos if they choose to share it. Some teams might not have film on themselves and you won't ever have access, until maybe the state tournament if you are participating. I know that for volleyball it is required for all teams to provide their opponent with film of their last game. This makes it easy for teams to scout you, but you also have the capability to scout them.

If I were a coach, watching film would be a regular thing. I like knowing who I’m going to be playing and seeing how they carry themselves. It is nice to feel mentally and physically prepared in stressful situations. By watching film, I feel more comfortable and play more like myself. I think teams should definitely take advantage of watching film if they are given the opportunity. The benefits of watching film range from physical to mental preparation and provide a sense of comfort among athletes.

Run Throughs

Many sports teams practice right before the big game. They like to warm up a little and go over how they are going to defeat the other team. I have had many people come up to me and ask about run throughs. Why do you have them? What are they for? Why can't you just warm up before the game? These are just some of the many questions people ask us volleyball players. There are many reasons why volleyball players need and benefit from a run through.

One reason our coach has run throughs is to go over plays and to discuss how we are going to defeat our opponent. A run throughis basically an extra practice right before the game. We need this time to go through our different rotations and use our teammates to simulate the actual game. We can act like the other team and do the same tendencies they will do. We know how the other team plays, because we watch film on them and scout their main players.

Another reason run throughs are extremely important is because it gets you mentally prepared. Knowing that in a couple hours you will be out on the court needing to terminate these skills can get to you. This prepares you for the game and can set the tone for your actions later on. It is important to have a high speed run through to get the blood flowing and some adrenaline pumping. This not only gets you excited, but thinking about the plays even more.

The last reason run throughs are extremely important is that it allows you to practice with your team one last time before the game, without it being a high stake thing. Run throughs allow you to make mistakes and fix them accordingly. This lets your mind relax and know that you are capable of more than you think. 

Run throughs are really just there for us volleyball players to take some time to relax, think about our plays, and get a little warm up going. The actions taken at run throughs can lay the foundation for the game and ultimately affect how you play. They are extremely important, yet they provide a sense of comfort. Everyday practice should be fun, competitive, and focused. Your mind needs to be in an uncomfortable position for you to make a change. Run throughs can bring comfort and discomfort, because the nerves are finally setting in. Overall run throughs are there to provide a type of support for athletes.

Injuries

Most athletes know that at some point in their athletic career they might get injured. This is just a part of playing sports to many. Most people who are deciding whether or not to go out for a sport think of how they can get injured, but you can get injured doing anything. There are many ways to prevent injuries and deal with them.

A very popular injury is tearing your ACL. This is an injury that many athletes have gone through because of multiple reasons including the way you land and stop. You can work towards preventing this by doing ACL prehab. ACL prehab includes many different versions of jumping and landing exercises. I do not know much about this injury, but by taking the extra time to work on your landing every couple days you can make it less likely you tear your ACL. This doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen to you though.

Another way to prevent serious injuries is by stretching. Many people think stretching is a waste of time or they are already flexible and don't need to do it. Stretching is an important aspect of any athlete's life. Stretching isn't just for increasing flexibility. It warms up your muscles and prepares them for practice. If you don't stretch before your workout you could seriously tear a muscle.

I have known many people with many different injuries. They might not do the same things to help heal them and get back on track, but there are ways to deal with it. By going to a physical therapist you can start your rehabilitation process. People should not be scared of injuries when deciding to play a sport, because it is bound to happen if you don't take the right precautions. By taking the right precautions your likelihood of being injured is lower.

Unfortunately, injuries come with playing sports. It is something to consider if you want to play a certain sport, but shouldn't be what ultimately determines your decision. Injuries can be dealt with depending on how serious they are. If you want to be an athlete you must accept the fact that people get hurt, and that's the cold, hard truth.

Sports and School

Some people might say sports are an escape from school. Athletes might tell you practice is all they look forward to all day long. No one wants to sit through seven hours of learning new things you don't really care about, but what if I told you school and sports are similar in a way? The two things bring different levels of enjoyment, yet are so alike in the way they teach.

One way school and sports are similar is in terminology. In both sports and school you must learn certain words in order to get through a certain class or drill. Knowing your terminology is extremely important if you want to understand what is happening. Your coach might use terminology in a drill and you must know what it means in order to fulfill the job.

Homework is another similarity between school and sports. Although, sports homework is disguised as "film" or "extra practice" it is still something you must do on your own time. Homework in school is extremely important to do, because not only does it boost your grade, but help your long term memory. This is exactly the way sports film works as well. It prepares you for a game by making you point out certain plays and memorizing the other team's defense. Homework or film can benefit your success as an athlete and student.

The last two ways school and sports are similar is how much time you put into them and practice. Without practice sports would be a lot more difficult. This is a way to help athletes improve every single day. By going to school you are essentially practicing your skills and applying them every day. This practice will help your improvement process and without it you couldn't pass your test or win the game. School and sports also involve a lot of time being put in. Student athletes must go to school for approximately seven hours then go to a two or three hour practice. After all of this they must do their homework, whether it is actual worksheets or watching film. The time you must put in and manage is huge.

Most people would rather not compare sports and school to each other, but it is important to acknowledge that they both are tools to help you in the future. Whether you want to go to school for a sport or just simply graduate, you must be able to manage your time, finish homework, and know your information. Both school and sports will benefit your life later on. They both push you to do your best and can help you accomplish great things later on.

Team Effort

One of the reasons many people decide to go out for a sport is because their friends are playing. Friends have a huge impact on kids' lives, especially in middle school. I know I made a couple of decisions to play certain sports just because my friends were going out. In middle school all most kids want to do is hang out with their friends. Having teammates that you enjoy being around is extremely important and can set your team up for success. Although some teams have players that don't get along, it is important that they at least respect each other. Sports are a team effort, meaning you must work well with your teammates.

Some athletes might only be worried about themselves and how they perform in a game. This is important to improving, but you must always look at it from a team aspect. The only way you are going to accomplish anything is if your team is improving and prepared to play. Teammates have to work together if they want to win. You don't have to be best friends with your teammates or hang out with them on the weekend, but you must respect them and help them. On the court, or wherever your games are played, you must act like you are friends. This not only will help your team dynamic, but intimidate others by how close your team is. Other teams know when there is controversy among the opposing players.

Another extremely important aspect of playing sports is who you play for. Athletes might say they play for themselves, their parents, their grandparents, or their siblings, but there is really only one group an athlete should be playing for. That group is your teammates. If you aren't giving one hundred percent effort to better the team, then you're playing for the wrong reasons. Yes, it is great to want to improve and accomplish personal goals, but your main focus should be to better the athletes around you. If you don't play for your teammates who's playing for you? Who can you depend on?

The team dynamic of a team is extremely important, but it isn't the only thing. Respect and effort can go a long way. Your teammates should be able to depend on you for anything, otherwise the trust is broken and it's hard to get it back. By playing for your teammates you can be a dependable athlete and always have others to count on as well. Remember, your team is a second family. Treat them like it.

The Road to State

Almost all athletes I know want to make it to state for whatever sport they're in. If they don’t, their teammates or they must have given up. This is something many athletes look forward to and try to achieve. Going to state is a common goal of many sports teams and can be very challenging. The focus of practice sometimes might have to do with this goal of going to state. Other sports teams shoot higher, and aim to become the state champions. Whether your goal is to simply make it to state or win it there are two very important skills to have. You must be physically and mentally ready.

Obviously if your team wants to make it to state you need to be physically capable of beating the other teams. This comes with time and if your teammates push every day you will begin to see improvements. A team must work together and push each other every day and never give up or take it easy. Physical capability is possible for everyone to achieve. Anyone can show up each day and put their body to the test, but can they back that up with confidence?  It's mental toughness that truly makes or breaks a team.

Mental toughness can be perceived in many different ways. A team must have players who are ready to overcome that mental bump in the road. To be able to achieve your goals every single person on your team must truly believe in every single player. Before you actually succeed at something you must imagine yourself doing well first. Mental strength, in my opinion, is much harder to obtain than physical strength. Anyone can show up to the gym and slowly improve. It takes a truly dedicated and honest person to be able to be mentally tough.

Believing in yourself is the first step towards achieving your goal and putting that belief into others will benefit your team tremendously. Yes, being able to terminate each play and be smart with your actions is important, but the confidence behind it needs to be there as well. Without the belief that you can do something how can you truly live up to your potential? Being confident can enhance your performance tremendously and push you further than your goals. Mental toughness will benefit you and your team. Behind every great athlete is someone who puts their faith into their teammates.

Cross Fit

Are you an athlete who loves to compete and the adrenaline rush of working out? Cross Fit might be for you. Although I have never in my life done Cross Fit or been to a Cross Fit gym, I have heard many rumors about it. I have had multiple friends come up to me and ask if I'm going to do Cross Fit or if I ever have. Some coaches tell their athletes Cross Fit is good while others say it is bad. Why is there so much controversy over working out?

While there are many people who might have different opinions, I have come to my own conclusion that Cross Fit is not for everyone. With so much controversy over this topic, I understand that only some athletes can take the pain and have the endurance to achieve this goal. An article on Rodale Wellness discusses the many benefits of participating in Cross Fit. This includes great cardiovascular conditioning, an increase in joint mobility, an increase in how many calories you burn, and making new friends on your new team. People who enjoy Cross Fit love to work out and will push themselves to do anything. Some people, unfortunately, cannot fulfill their goals.

Another article I found on LiveStrong discusses the many hardships of this workout. The writer talks about the many repetitions and how their body becomes fatigued. They ultimately gave up, because their body felt so weak. Some people do not have the endurance or motivation to keep pushing themselves to their maximum power. An athlete who pushes their bodies and gives one hundred percent every day is a very valuable player, but there comes a time when too much determination can get the best of you. Every single person needs to know what their body is capable of and play to that boundary. It's not worth the harm to over-work yourself.

Cross Fit is a very popular place to work out and get stronger both mentally and physically every day. I do not support nor oppose the business, because it benefits and harms only certain people. Cross Fit is a great choice if y7our body is up for the challenge, I'd say if you're an athlete try it out and see if it's something for you. It doesn't hurt to try. You might even find yourself a new family-like environment and second home to spend your time at.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet

An extremely important factor when it comes to being an athlete is maintaining a healthy diet. There are many healthy choices when deciding what you are going to consume for the day. This may include any type of fruit, vegetable, meat, and wheat/grain. Although not everyone likes to follow the rules of the food pyramid, there are many ways to make healthy and delicious choices.

One of my favorite things to make is a smoothie. You can never go wrong with smoothies. There are so many flavors and choices of fruit to choose from. No matter your taste in fruit, there is something for you. Smoothies have the option of blending fruit or vegetables. You can even blend a little of both and the results are delicious! Another thing to add to smoothies is yogurt, juice, or milk. Yogurt is extremely good for your body and can create a more creamy taste. The choice between juice and milk is dependent on your preference. All of these ingredients are healthy and can benefit your body. Another ingredient many athletes choose to add is protein powder. Protein powder is just another way to get your source of protein in for the day, and makes breakfast a lot easier.

Protein powder is something I see handfuls of athletes use. It can be used in smoothies, as I stated, or you can create your own protein shake. I have seen plenty of people with blender bottles at school who simply blend their protein with water and drink it for breakfast. I'm not quite sure about the healthy aspect of the powder, but it is definitely a trend at the moment. This might just be the way you get your protein for the morning. I have heard many things about the benefits of protein powder before working out. WebMD can be used to help you make a choice on what kinds of protein to use based on your preferences and characteristics. 

Choosing your meals for the day can become extremely difficult when you are faced with other tempting options. There are many tasty options out there, but some of them are extremely unhealthy and will not benefit your body in any way other than moderation. Yes, as most people say everything is good in moderation, but there comes a point when enough is enough. No one is going to steer clear of every single unhealthy food, but if you are wanting to make improvements in the gym you must be willing to give up constantly snacking on some of your favorite foods.

The One Thing All Athletes Need

There are many characteristics that are important to have when you are an athlete. This may include being kind, caring, determined, motivated, committed, and coachable. The one thing that I think is vital to every athlete is having a positive attitude. This characteristic will follow you through life and benefit you in every single way.

Yes, it is important to be coachable, motivated, and committed, but what do all of those characteristics come from? Having a positive attitude gives athletes the will to be coachable, motivated, and committed. An athlete with a negative attitude is not going to listen to his/her coach or want to do their best at practice each day. They will look at themselves and give up or blame others for their mistakes. This will create an athlete who ultimately does not care and doesn't really want to play anymore.

Positive energy on the court/field has an enormous impact on you and your team. It can send energy to the crowd or build up adrenaline in your teammates. This will get you pumped to play and others will begin to realize why they play sports. Sports are supposed to be fun. They aren't supposed to be something you dread or even think of as a waste. These are the effects of negativity, whether it's your own or someone else's on your team. 

Nothing good comes from negativity. This only tears down a team's confidence and makes them over think. Positivity is extremely important when wanting to succeed at anything. You are not always going to achieve your highest goal, but it is important to work at it. Anything is possible and with a positive attitude you might surprise yourself. If you don't succeed, at least you had fun doing it.

When it comes down to having a positive attitude there are two things to take into consideration. For one, think about how it will affect you and your teammates on and off the court. Second, think about your experiences playing. Would you rather have good memories or bad memories about playing the sport you love? Your attitude isn't something that only affects you. Take your teammates into consideration. 

The Off-Season

Sports are a fun way to keep busy during the school year and make new friends, but it's not always just to stay busy. A lot of athletes are extremely committed to the sports they play and are looking to pursue a career in college. These athletes probably have become extremely good at what they do because they work hard in and out of season. The off-season is just as important, if not more, than the regular season.

During your off-season it is extremely important to lift weights and eat healthy. Basically you must stay in shape so that what came easy to you in-season stays easy to you in your off-season. No one likes to come back to their sport and not be in shape enough to do their drills. Yes, it will take some getting used to, but staying fit will help you get in the groove faster. Eating healthy can impact your performance greatly, but remember everything is good in moderation.

Some off-season activities might include running, stretching, and lifting regularly. It is also important you do some of your sports activities as well. Go to open gym or pass a ball around every once in a while. Skill level depends on how much time you are willing to invest. More time is spent off-season than in-season. Lifting can also contribute a ton to your individual performance. Every athlete could use a little more muscle or a little more quickness. Lifting will help athletes become stronger, but can only help if you are lifting the correct way. It is extremely important to have good form when lifting. If you lift properly, your body will benefit extremely.

While off-season activities are extremely important, I understand that some athletes choose to participate in club sports. This is a good way to stay busy as well and know you are preparing for school season. Club is basically a substitute for off-season training. Taking this into consideration, between your club season and school season you should still be attending open gyms or exercising as much as you can to get in school mode.

I cannot exaggerate the importance of staying in shape in your off-season. It is important to continue exercising and practicing healthy choices when not involved in sports. Not making the most of your time will catch up to you in the long run. Keep working hard and setting goals. They are waiting to be achieved. 

Guys vs. Girls

We all know sports are separated by gender. Most sports are categorized by gender, but some sports are exclusive to one. For example football is aimed towards males and volleyball is aimed towards females, in certain states. In Iowa volleyball is more common among females, but in nearby states, like Illinois, they have both men's and women's school volleyball. Why are sports separated by gender? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Sports are separated by gender, because females and males have different strengths and weaknesses. It might even be a little weird to compete with or against opposite genders, especially in basketball or football where the amount of contact is heavy. When looking at state qualifiers you might notice that women have worse statistics than men. This can be shown at a regional track meet. What seems to be an exceptionally good time for a women's race might be twenty seconds slower than the average male time. Guys might tell you you're slow or that your time is easy to reach, but in all reality it was just as hard for you to achieve that time as it was for them to achieve theirs. I do not believe that anyone should ever tell another person they aren't good enough, because both could be giving the same amount of effort. Sometimes athletes simply have more skill or it comes easier to them. No one should ever be put down because they don't exceed other people's expectations.

Another topic that comes up when thinking about male and female sports is pay for being on a professional team. It has been shown that women do, on average, get paid less than men do. Is this because of discrimination or is it just something that eventually happened? I think that men get paid a higher amount of money, because their sporting events draw more people in. Men's sports, I'm sure, generate more money from their ticket sales and sporting events than women. Even in high school male sports are more dominant when it comes to how many fans show up. Football games are a lot more popular than volleyball games, but that doesn't mean no one shows up. I would say track and swimming, both male and female, have scarce fans in the crowd. Swimming as a whole is not as popular. The preference of the fans is ultimately what determines the athlete's pay. 

When it comes down to examining girl sports versus guy sports, guy sports dominate in most aspects. They are usually faster, quicker, and stronger on average. This doesn't mean some girls aren't stronger or quicker or faster than guys. It's just a fact. Men's sports are more entertaining to our population and that is why pay and attendance are not equal. This doesn't make women's sports less important or men's sports better. This simply shows our population's interests. If it were the other way around would there be this much fuss? 

Family Bond

Family is an important part of my life and is probably an important aspect of yours as well. Your family is a group of people that you are close to and will always have. You know you can count on them for anything. Families may fight, but in the end everyone always has each other's back. Sports can have this family-like environment and be a second home to many. Friends become family when spending an entire season, or in some cases all year round, with your teammates. How can having a second family be beneficial?

Having a second family can be very beneficial when it comes to trying to improve sports-wise. Knowing whatever happens at your game/race will not change the way your friends and teammates view you can drive you to excel and improve your game a ton. Not only will you enjoy practice a lot more, but you will want to improve even more. This improvement will be desirable not only for yourself, but for your teammates and the team as a whole. Overall your experience as an athlete will be a lot better.

            Another reason the family feel of a sports team is great is because you can make lifelong friends. Starting out on a new team can be scary, but might turn out to give you your best friend. Your teammates can become the people you eat lunch with or hang out with on the weekends. The chemistry of a team can ultimately determine how successful a team is. Unfortunately, if you and your teammates do not get along very well your team could pay the price. It is important that teammates aren't always selfish and play to better the team.

The benefits of having a second family can make you feel like you fit in more at school. Not only does this make athletes look forward to practice at the end of the day more, but makes sports more enjoyable. No one wants to play a sport with people they dislike and don't get along with. It's nice to have a friend by your side when competing for the same goal. The memories you creates will be much greater if you have a best friend by your side to relive them with. 

Being Competitive

A crucial characteristic to have when it comes to playing sports is being competitive. This drives athletes to obtain and accomplish their goals. Without competition sports wouldn't be fun. Imagine a stadium full of fans that didn't care if their team won, let alone the athletes not caring. This would bring no adrenaline rush or intensity to the game. I believe every athlete out there has, or at least should have, some type of competitive bone in their body. Where do you draw the line though?

When trying to be competitive and scare away the competition you should do it in a respectful manner. This includes having good sportsmanship, and not doing anything that will seriously harm an athlete’s self-esteem or physical state. Being respectful will not only make you look like a better athlete to your teammates, but it will make you more desirable to coaches and other teams will respect you as well. An athlete who knows his/her boundaries as a respectable person will benefit in every way. 

Though being competitive means being respectful, it also means having fun and simply playing for the love of the game. Athletes can be competitive and have the desire to win without harming others. Granted, athletes will get hurt and there's not much you can do about it. If you want to look intimidating there are other ways to go about it. An athlete’s posture/stance has a huge impact on how they are perceived by other athletes. By simply having a straight and determined face you can get into other athletes' heads. This causes no physical harm, but causes others to over think their playing. Some people, however, react positively to a little friendly competition and can rise to the occasion.

The main reason people play or watch sports is for the competition aspect of it. Yes, many people simply love the game and that's all there is to it for them, but others love the adrenaline rush and strive to overcome the physical and emotional barriers involved in playing. The competitiveness of the game is why some athletes pursue their career. Nothing can come between an athlete and their love of the game and their desire to win. Being competitive is an extremely important characteristic to have in the world of sports, but there's no denying the passion shown through athletes who truly and whole-heartedly love the sport they play. "Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her." -Mia Hamm (Life Daily)

Taking Care of Your Body

When it comes to excelling at sports most people think of the basic "practice makes perfect". While practice is very important to being successful, so is taking care of your body. Athletes can do this in many ways. Not only does an athlete need to stay hydrated, but have a good personal hygiene and take care of their muscles.

Staying hydrated is an important aspect in trying to make improvements. Hydration is the key to improving any activity. According to FamilyDoctor.org your body is not capable of performing at its highest level if you are not properly hydrated. Throughout your day you should be getting plenty of fluids, and it's your responsibility to make sure that's happening.

Personal hygiene is also extremely important when staying active, because no one wants to play beside a smelly, dirty teammate. Staying clean and creating good habits can make you less self-conscious on the court and more approachable by others. Not only does having a good personal hygiene help with social aspects, but it helps prevent infections or diseases that could be spread. For your sake and everyone else's sake, take on good cleaning habits.

The last thing that is extremely important to setting yourself up for success is stretching and taking care of your muscles. There are many ways you can take care of your muscles. This includes stretching daily, rolling out your muscles, and getting enough sleep. Your muscles need to be rolled out, especially if you are sore in a certain area, and well-rested to prepare for the next day's game/practice. You can use a PVC pipe, a foam roller, or even a small store-bought roller to stretch out your muscles. Dynamic and static stretching can also maintain or increase flexibility, which is important in all sports. Stretching also makes it less likely for you to tear or injure something. This does not mean you won't get hurt, but it is very beneficial and should be practiced frequently. 

Athletes cannot simply show up to practice every day without putting in work outside of the gym/field. If you are truly dedicated and want to excel at your sport you must take care of your body. If you choose not to take care of your body, the consequences could be tragic. Injuries are more likely to happen if you don't stretch. Don't risk your chance at being successful. Be dedicated on and off the court. 

Importance of Coaches

We've all had that one coach we absolutely can't stand. Whether it's because they yell at you a lot, seem lazy, are too nice, or seem to just not care they should be valued. Coaches have a huge impact on their athletes and should be wise about their decisions. Although coaches need to control their frustrations sometimes, so do athletes. I know it can become very difficult to have a good practice when you just can't stand your coach, but there are some things you need to take into account before judging your coach.

First, think of why your coach is even teaching athletes. I don't think someone who doesn't enjoy sports or kids is going to take up a coaching position just for money, because let's face it some coaches don't get paid a ton. While some coaches do get good pay, I still think their reasoning is deeper than that. Your coach is at practice primarily for you. He/she wants to see you succeed and improve just as much as you do. They would not be wasting their time at practice if they did not believe in you. You are the reason they are coaching. Understanding this can make a world of difference.

Second, take into account that your coach has a life outside of the sport you're playing. Coaches can have rough days too. They not only have a job outside of coaching, but probably a family they need to take care. Their time is just as precious as yours. They're not trying to have practice go later, but sometimes it's necessary if you want to see improvement. They make decisions they see best fit for the team.

Finally, think about the reasons your coach is irritating you. I don't think your coach is purposefully trying to annoy you. If they are coaching they aren't going to try and tear you down in any way. No coach wants to see an athlete fail in any way, shape, or form. Whatever they are doing is probably what they believe is going to help you most. They truly care for you, believe it or not.

Remember coaches are available to simply benefit the athlete. If you don't respect your coach you aren't going to get very far in the improvement process. Be grateful for what you have and value your coaches. They are the reason you've got this far and accomplished so much.

Club Sports

Sports aren't something athletes like just because it gets them away from the house or out of school early. Sports are a passion. They are a passion that can lead them in the right direction. While many athletes play school sports all year round, others participate in one and compete on a club team as well. What is a club team you ask? A club team is something you can join to play the sport you love all year.

One reason I encourage one or two sport athletes to go out for club is to simply get better. Obviously if you are only playing one sport it's the one you like the most. Most people who only play one sport wish to play in college as well. Playing on a club team can help you get recruited and enhance your skills tremendously since you will be training all year. Also, playing different teams throughout the year will help you try new things and overall acquire different skills. The fact that you have to tryout to make a club team can create a better dynamic on the team and help athletes improve at a good rate.

Another reason you might want to consider playing for a club is for the traveling aspect. You get to travel to bigger cities or other states to play in tournaments. This is not only extremely fun, but can give you a glimpse of other teams. Sometimes it gets boring playing the same teams over and over again. It's nice to play new teams and adjust to their strengths and weaknesses. This not only sparks competitiveness across the nation, but allows athletes from all over to meet and share experiences. Playing in tournaments can also be a great opportunity for team bonding, which can be some of the greatest memories of your life.

Club season has to be one of the best seasons of the year for me, because I have a team that I get to practice with months on end and create a second family with. The simple fact that it’s longer than school season makes it that much better.  If you truly love the school sport you're in, you will love it even more if you play club. This can sometimes get expensive, but it is definitely worth it if you whole-heartedly love the sport. Not many people have the options you do so don't take that for granted. Appreciate your coaches and teammates every day. 

What Defines a Sport

When it comes to sports there are many controversial topics. This includes what defines a sport. Many people see some sports as not difficult enough and think they should not be considered sports. When it comes to defining what a sport is there are many factors to address. You must take into account the amount of physical activity, mental training, and general skills you must acquire.

The main thing most people think of when it comes to defining sports is physical activity. Many people think it must be a contact sport to even be considered a "real" sport. The amount of physical contact is huge in some people's vision of how sports should be. Others think physical activity alone defines a sport. My opinion is that if the sport you're in has both physical activity and mental training it can be considered a sport. All sports are dependent on your mentality.

My definition of sports includes two factors, but you can only properly categorize sports versus non-sports with the meaning of physical activity. Most hobbies include physical activity, but I think there is a certain amount of activity needed to define a sport. There has been controversy over whether cheer leading is a sport. My belief is that competitive cheer leading can be considered a sport, while school cheer leading cannot. School cheer leading has a loophole though. If your school cheer leading team does stunts I can see how that fits into the sport category. Another thing to think about is warm ups. If your sport requires stretching, because you could get an injury I would definitely label that as a sport. 

The reason I do not see school cheer leading as a sport, if it doesn't include stunts, is because there is really not much skill needed. Yes, it can be considered a sport to some people, but my opinion is that it's not. All you must do is basically clap and cheer. You don't have to have any level of fitness to participate. I know many people disagree with me and I respect that, because everyone can have their own opinion. 

As I said, when it comes to competitive cheerleading with stunts and tournaments I entirely believe that is a sport. Competitive cheerleading looks like a very hard sport. You must be extremely flexible and willing to take risks every day. I'm not trying to make school cheer leading look bad, because they very well can do stunts as well. Basically, if your team does stunts I think it can be considered a sport. If not, I believe it's just an extra-curricular activity. 

Comparing and Contrasting Fine Arts

Sports play an important role in many people's lives. They not only bring people together to enjoy and make memories, but teach life lessons. While sports might be the only thing some kids are passionate about, others only find interest in fine arts. Fine arts seem to be the total opposite of sports, not only in the activity itself, but the personalities of the people involved in them. 

The fine arts include any type of choir, plays/musicals, band, orchestra and art. One way fine arts are similar to sports is in how they bring people together. Any common interest will gather people of similar personalities. Sports and fine arts create a family-like environment for anyone that participates. Another way the two are similar is in their teachings. Both interests teach life lessons about getting along with others, pushing yourself, being confident, and never backing down. The fine arts are similar to sports in that they both have showings. In other words choir, band, and orchestra have concerts and sports have games or meets. These are opportunities to show off students' many talents and abilities. This is equivalent to a test day at school. An athlete or fine arts student must show their abilities in one final judgment and hope to accomplish the goal they've been working for. 

One way fine arts and sports aren't similar is in the way you train. Sports and fine arts focus on both your mental and physical ability to do something. Both aspects are extremely important to the activity, but the physical actions are different. In sports you work on strength and conditioning, while if you were to try fine arts they focus more on being precise and graceful with every move. Fine arts focus on being able to do things with your hands and mouth, while sports focus on legs and arms. The physical activity in both cannot be measured as more difficult than the other, because everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. 

Athletes might complain and state that fine arts aren't nearly as difficult and no fine arts student should be stressed or harmed. I believe that both activities have their own difficulties and the level of struggle is determined by the individual person. What might be hard for me could be easy for you. Each person is different in their own way and no one else can determine what is easy or difficult for them.

How to be a Good Teammate

In life we are not always going to be around people we necessarily like, but it is important for us to try to get along and work together with them. No matter how much you dislike them you have to find a way to work together without getting completely frustrated with yourselves. One of these situations might be in sports. While playing sports there are going to be people on your team you aren't very fond of, but that can't stop you from playing the game you love. The chemistry of a team is very important, but it might be even more important to just be nice and be a good teammate. 

The first thing I think of when imagining a good teammate is someone who encourages and compliments others. Do not get jealous and start criticizing every move a person makes if they are playing better than you at the time. It is extremely important to encourage others to do well, because it will most likely benefit you in the long run. If one of your teammates is starting to excel, others will try to compete with them. This will then make other players on the team better too.

When it comes to complimenting your teammates I don't mean overreacting to the play they made. If someone does something good in a game or practice simply say great job or high five them. Teammates also need to learn how to give and take constructive criticism. It may be hard to listen to what others have to say, but it is helpful to see different points of view. Your teammates want to see you succeed, or should, just as much as you want to. When criticizing others don't be too harsh. Simply explain to them what you think they did wrong and give a suggestion to what they can do to fix it. No one likes a teammate who thinks they're the coach.

Remember, everyone has feelings and a life outside from school that you don't know about. You have no idea how harsh or easy someone's life is, so don't be so quick to judge. Sometimes people just need a little encouragement and positive attitudes to get them on the right track. Being a good teammate means being caring, passionate, encouraging, and never willing to give up. Be the person you'd want to see on the court next to you. 

Contribution of Sports Fans

No matter the sport or activity you are bound to have fans. Fans are sometimes vital to a team. The energy and encouragement from the crowd adds to the game and a player's adrenaline. Although fans are great to have, they sometimes overdo it. In my opinion fans should be respectful. This doesn't mean they shouldn't cheer and be competitive, but there are certain boundaries they should not pass. The actions of fans can not only impact the team they support, but also their opponent. This impact can be positive or negative.

When striving to achieve a common goal a positive attitude is key. Ways in which fans can contribute to their team is by cheering when a point is earned or doing group cheers to get the rest of the crowd excited. Almost every single athlete I know would prefer a jam-packed gym over a couple of fans. This is because the cheering and constant screams from the crowd not only put pressure on them, but also the other team. Wouldn't you want to play really well if a lot of people were watching? The nervousness players have adds to the adrenaline of the game and can potentially be a benefit to your team's energy. 

Negative remarks can hurt a team's confidence. I believe fans should not single out one particular person on the opponent's team just to help their team win. Yes, this might get into their head and cause them to make more mistakes, but if you make remarks about the way they play the effects aren't restricted to that single game. When that athlete goes home they will think about those negative remarks and it can potentially harm their self-esteem. It's all fun and games until you actually hurt someone's feelings.

Now I know not many fans act this way, but sometimes things can get out of hand. If everyone is mindful of what they say, about anything for that matter, and think about the effects their words have on others everything will be fine. I do love my school's fans and am very grateful for every single one of them. Each team has those few loyal fans that follow them to away games no matter the distance and each athlete should be extremely grateful for them as well. I am not discouraging fans to go all out and cheer, but remember you can never take back what you already said. Choose your words wisely.

Pros and Cons of Cutting

            Fear is the first word that comes to mind when hearing athletes speak of tryout day. Many kids are scared to see what decisions the coaches will make for that season. Many schools today cut, or choose only a certain amount of people, for their sports team. This topic is very controversial across the nation and has many sides to weigh.

            The first reason schools might want, or even need, to cut is merely because their school is too big to accommodate that many athletes. This issue is common in bigger cities and cutting is not an option. Another reason schools choose to cut is to have a more one on one focus during practice. Some coaches believe their team will get to its highest skill level if there are less athletes to work with and more coaches to teach. They believe the athletes will improve faster without adding to distraction, in this case extra people.

            One reason schools choose not to cut, is because they want to give every athlete an opportunity to grow and learn. This not only allows for competition, but more people to choose from when it gets to the varsity level. These types of coaches believe that everyone deserves a chance to improve no matter what stage they are in. This can lead to overcrowding and many people sitting on the bench. This then leaves the choice to play to the athlete. If they don’t want to sit they need to either improve or unfortunately quit.

            I have been very lucky in my years to have always attended a no cut policy enforced school. I believe this allows for athletes to grow by competing with others. This also helps athletes learn quickly. If you fall behind this makes your opponent that much more ahead of you. The choice to cut is very difficult and depends on your situation. Although I believe schools should not cut, I do not believe club teams shouldn’t. Club teams are for high level competition and require a huge amount of dedication. Playing for a private club team is an honor and should be earned. Remember your off-season is just as important, if not more, than when you’re in-season.

Common Issues of Playing Sports

                While many people encourage others to go out for sports, some find conflicts in them. Now I know sports aren’t for everyone, but it’s a great experience to have, especially as a high school student. If you are an athlete who absolutely, whole-heartedly loves the sport you play these conflicts mean nothing to you. Athletes deal with these conflicts year round and happen to do just fine in school. After all there is a guideline for grades when in season.

The first and most common issue many students find when going out for sports is time management. Sports do take up a lot of your time and can have an impact on your grades. On game/meet nights you might only have two hours to get homework done and study. This can be very stressful for students. The way I see it, it’s helping you prepare for college. Time management is a huge and valuable skill to have. Whether it is in college or your future profession you will need to use your time wisely.

            Another issue students find with playing sports is playing time. When you begin a sport it is very likely you will not play much, because you have no experience and very little skill level. This doesn’t mean you will be on the bench forever. If you are truly dedicated to your sport and always try your best you will improve. All a coach looks for is improvement and passion for the sport you are playing. Be confident in yourself. Playing time isn’t everything. Some of the most famous athletes sat during their high school careers.

            The last issue I will address is frustration with the way you play. Some athletes get very upset because they’re not the best on their team. Some athletes might even say they “suck” and want to quit. Don’t ever give up. Most kids who quit a sport during high school regret it. They wonder what could have happened and what memories they could have made if they went out. You’re not always going to be the best, at anything for that matter, and you just have to accept it. Athletes peak at different times and you never know when you could make huge improvements. It just takes time.

            There are many issues involved in playing sports, but the rewards and memories made are worth the struggle. Although you may want to quit, whether it’s because of a teammate, frustration, or not enough time to do homework, remind yourself of why you tried out for the sport in the first place. Fuel your body to keep going and make a difference on the court.