A lot of people face this dilemma — which is the right sport to pick. Some sports require extreme characteristics, for example, not many shorter people are likely to succeed in basketball. But people may find that other sports more accessible as they do not rely on having such extreme attributes or capabilities. Each sport requires a different set of skills and or physicality to play and so make sure you do some research to find out which people are best suited to what sport.
For some people, choosing which sports to pursue is hard because they have never really played an organized sport before and aren’t sure what they’ll most enjoy. No matter what your sports dilemma is, you have to make the decision that is best for you. Sports are meant to be fun. If there is a sport you really enjoy but you aren’t sure if you can make the team, try out anyway.
Once you have narrowed down to a few sports that they seem to enjoy, try them. While you should avoid playing more than one sport during any season, it would be OK to play football in the autumn and badminton in the winter. As you begin to better identify with one sport, then you can drop some of the others. Watch signs for enthusiasm (players, strategies, game experience).
Some sports, like soccer or hockey, require every person on the field to be on the same page. Sure, certain people stand out more than others but superstars don’t necessarily make a good team!
Sports like tennis, swimming, gymnastics, and wrestling are all sports where individual performances are tallied into team scores. Of course there are exceptions, like relays in track and swimming, but for the most part, it’s possible to win a solo event in these sports and still have your team lose or vice-versa.
No one knows you better than you do. Maybe you enjoy the spotlight. Maybe you get annoyed by the way teammates act when they are competitive. Or maybe you just don’t like competing with friends for a spot in the starting lineup. For whatever reason, team sports might not be your thing — and that’s fine. Luckily, there are many individualized sports to choose from.
Some cities are limited in resources — a city may not have a lot of playgrounds, for example, while a small sports club may not have enough members to make up a team for every sport. If you live in a climate where it rains most time of the year, you may not be able to participate in a lot of outdoor sports.
If your city doesn’t have your sport, don’t let it get you down. You can always try out for a different sport during the same season or look into whether your local town has a recreational league that you can join.
Many people are attracted to the competition and popularity that can come with team sports. Others love the unity that is present in a team atmosphere. But for some people, teams are just frustrating. If you’re not the biggest fan of organized sports(football, softball, baseball, soccer, and basketball), where you have to follow someone else’s schedule and rules, much other fun, and exciting options are out there for you. If you’re looking for something that will both keep you busy and allow you to blow off steam, try some of these activities:
Climb to the top. Did you love scaling trees and walls when you were younger? Rock climbing offers participants one of the best all-around workouts possible. As a rock climber, you work your hands, arms, shoulders, back, stomach, legs, and feet — ALL AT ONCE!
Image: wall.alphacoders.comTake a hike (and bring your bike). Hiking and biking are two great ways to learn about nature while still getting your heart rate up. Even if you’re just going to a local trail, bring at least one other person along in case something happens. If you’re going for an intense multi-day hike, you should bring someone who is experienced and trained in hiking.
Water world The water is the perfect place to give yourself new challenges. There are plenty of water activities for all levels of difficulty and energy. Besides swimming, try, kayaking, rowing and wakeboarding, water skiing, windsurfing, and, if you’re feeling particularly daring, surfing.
Many activities can be relaxing and taxing at once. These three activities strengthen you physically and mentally:
Whether you choose one sport or three, make sure you give yourself a break from intense competition with some cross-training activities. Through cross-training, you can take a rest from your sport or sports and reduce the chance of getting an overuse injury — while still getting a workout and staying in shape.
Two examples of cross-training are swimming and cycling. They not only help build cardiovascular fitness but also work your muscles. Swimming can really help tone your upper body; while cycling strengthens your legs. You can also try outdoor bike rides and runs on nice days, stopping periodically to do sit-ups and push-ups. These simple exercises can work and tone your core muscles.
That time between seasons is also the perfect opportunity to get into a strength-training routine. If you’re heavy or sedentary, start with small things. Getting a skateboard, a bicycle can be a good way to transition a more sedentary you away from books or video games and into a more active lifestyle.
