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.