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.