As it is reminded to everyone, practice makes perfect, but what do we really practice for? Do we practice soccer or volley one semester just to travel to friendship games? Or to impress the boy/girl that you like? Well, I’m telling you, if you practice for similar motives, then you are not a real sportsman. Joining a team is not a joke, it means that you are willing to commit with the team, the coach, and it’s members. It means waking up at 7 am to attend an 8 am practice, that will last almost until midday. It means sacrificing family lunches or parties, to train and become better. The question however is, to become better for whom? To prove yourself to others, or to yourself? The truth is that one joins a team with the purpose of becoming better and helping the team bring positive outcomes. Nobody becomes a star right away. It takes time, sweat, and tears, but I am telling you, sooner or later you will become a key and outstanding player. The only thing that is required of you is commitment. That little decision of whether to attend to the senior fresh or to go and practice will make a huge difference in not only how you play, but on the type of player and teammate that you are.
Practicing sports not only helps you to become a responsible person within the team but encourages you to organize and unconsciously create a schedule of your daily routine. Being a student and playing sports already tightens your agenda. It means splitting your time between homework and daily practices. And don’t forget about the other regular activities, such as dentist appointments, tutoring or SAT classes, family time, and washing the dishes after dinner. Practicing sports puts you in a position where you know that time cannot be lost. In other words, it means that you have to disciplined and organize your times wisely for you not to stay up too late at night.
Drinking and smoking are two subjects that you need to be very careful when being part of a team. You can drink and smoke all you want, but you need to keep in mind that those two will make you lose resistance when practicing. It will prevent you from a 100% performance because it will make you become easily tired. You will not only damage your body but the team in general. The whole team relies on your abilities, and drinking and smoking prevent you from performing the minimum that is required of you. Therefore eating healthy and knowing when to party is really important. Eating healthy does not mean having a strict diet. It means eating 5 balanced meals a day and maybe a pizza with a bear over the weekend. Once you become a team member, knowing your limits is what sets you apart from the rest and becoming an example for the rest.
Once again joining a team means the commitment to both, the team and yourself. It teaches you to handle your time wisely and set clear your priorities. Practicing sports is not just an extracurricular activity, it is a lifestyle.
