Around the world, kids begin playing sports at extremely young ages; it’s hardwired into them to play sports while being fearless. I’ve always been one of those kids who would rather be outdoors playing sports than inside laying on the couch, watching television. Growing up, I entered unfamiliar situations fearlessly without a second thought; however, this all changed when I destroyed a crucial portion of my knee in seventh grade. Commencing in the fifth grade, I have been hooked on basketball; it is the part of my life which lets me relieve all of my stress. Unfortunately, after two knee surgeries, I struggled with the concept of playing basketball again. Worry made me sick to my stomach before every practice and game last year because I
As the clock ticks down, everybody starts to hang their heads. The score is now thirty to twenty-seven and we know we are about to lose. Although basketball has many lows, it is a part of who I am. Everybody has a hobby that they love that makes them feel like they can escape from reality and be free. For some people this might be a fun activity that they really love doing. This for me happens to be basketball and I have happened to fallen in love with this sport. Every Friday night as I lace my shoes up knowing I have forty-eight minutes to play with my best friends, my heart fills with never ending joy. This is the time that I hold a twenty-two ounce ball in my palms, and put all my worries and problems in the world away. This is the time
Youth sports are continuing to be shifted into adult standards, by promoting victory while risking injury. Kids do not have the same physical capabilities of professional athletes on television, yet some parents insist that their kids continue playing extremely harmful sports at a violent level of play. Young athletes should not put constant strain on developing bones and muscles. For example, in baseball, a twelve-year-old trying to throw a curveball puts constant strain on the elbow’s ligaments, and may cause
In the article “For Children in Sports, a Breaking Point” by Jane Brody the author discusses the underlying problem on whether or not young athletes should be encouraged to push themselves to their physical and mental breaking point in sports from their coaches, parents, or even themselves. Meanwhile, in “Why Parents Should Let Their Kids Play Dangerous Sports” by Jeb Golinkin the writer deliberates why parents should let their children participate in risky sports to understand the significance of failing, teamwork, striving, and succeeding.
In the past 30 years, the direction of sports within the youth has drastically changed. In the past, young athletes aimed to play in several sports. Now, athletes focus themselves in one single sport and year-round extensive training has been encouraged by most adults in a young athlete’s life whether they are a parent or a coach. Allowing the youth to participate in sports is frequently considered “a great way to develop leadership skills” and “an appreciation for individual and team accomplishments” (Sailor). Along with the rise of Sport Specialization, concerns pertaining to a child’s physical and psychological health have begun to increase as well. Early Sport Specialization may lead to greater risks in a child’s life such as injuries,
Margaret Hodges, author of More young athletes are getting major-league injuries, talks about how teens involved in sports are likely to get injuries. The author uses two high school students as examples. Kathryn W., a high school hurdler, won the state championship for the 300 meter hurdles while she had a torn tendon in her hip and Jeffrey S., a high school pitcher, fractured his elbow while pitching. Both teens developed overuse injuries- injuries caused by stress due to repeated motions. Because of hopes for scholarships, teens focus on one sport causing them to replicate the same movements over and over again increasing overuse injuries. These injuries can get worse leading to surgery, although rest can prevent it. Finally, because of
In sports, the probability of getting an injury is very high. Players don’t even have to try and may get severely hurt. Some teammates and coaches say that the players just need to be more careful and watch their surroundings more intently. But, players have to be continuously aware of their surroundings to keep themselves from getting hurt by others, much less self-inflicted injuries. Mark Hyman and Nathan Pitcock, writers from The New York Times, write “Half of all sports injuries among kids each year are caused by simple overuse… injuries-stress fractures, ruptured ligaments, and growth plate injuries- can be quite serious, and many can cause lifelong problems” (Pitcock, Hyman 1). These injuries are all very common with today’s youth. The lifelong injuries are not worth the risk of playing one more game. If players really want to avoid self-afflicted injuries, they should prepare themselves for the sport year around so that they are conditioned for the next season, but players should play more than one sport to cross-train and avoid overuse of specific bones and
I am just playing basketball me against the world with no one distracting me. When I played basketball for my community college, I would have people screaming all at me as well as family screaming my name and distractions everywhere. I wouldn't let these distractions affect me and I would just play basketball as if it is just me playing basketball in my backyard all by myself. I would feel extremely focused on my task and just be in my zone not even hearing people scream or the music but just hear my id saying I can do it. No matter what the outcome of the game would be I always want to play because I don't care if I lose or not as long as I have fun. The more harder that I try the more fun I will have so it doesn't even effect me that I could cause my team to loose. The only thing I can say about failing, is that I am a failure if didn't give it my best effort. When Im playing basketball I get to a point were my self consciousness does disappear. I feel as if anything that is happening in the world from having school work to having an injury are all gone while I play basketball. An example is when I had sprained my ankle pretty bad and I wanted to play basketball still. When I started to play I got involved in a full game were I didn't feel any type pain in my body the whole time playing basketball. When I was done playing all the pain and real life problems came back but not until
Young athletes are at very high risks for injuries during the course of playing sports. It should be recognized that the development stage of adolescent growth is a period of physiological growth in height, muscle, skeletal and with their desire to be recognized by peers. Their belief that nothing bad will happen to them makes adolescents themselves prone to injuries. High school students play sports for various reasons such as scholarships, talents, hobbies, and fame, these reasons make high school athletics an important aspect of the student’s life.
As athletes, we always feel invincible. No matter what I had been told, I was convinced that a serious injury would never happen to me. The coaches and doctors had described the “popping” sound that accompanies an ACL injury, but for years I ignored them. One day, when I least expected it, it happened to me. I tore my right ACL in September of 2012, at the beginning of my eighth grade year. For me, it could not have happened at a more inopportune time for my future soccer career and, at the time, I thought my dreams were over. I was convinced I would never play soccer in college, let alone be able to play for my varsity high school team as a freshman.
Injuries in youth sports are rising faster than ever. Some people say it is because they do not play enough. Some people are the complete opposite and think they play way too much. What if both of these do not really contribute to the equation as much as some people believe? Over 12 million kids get hurt playing sports in the US every year (Brown par 4). The major reason for the increase in injuries is singling into one sport at a very young age. Whether it is to “improve” your chances to get a scholarship or to make it to the next level or you do not enjoy any other sports. You are putting yourself at an increased risk of injury. Youth who single into a sport are more likely to get injured.
On any given sunny day, when flowers were blooming, and grass was growing, there was a game of basketball being played. I sat on my auntie’s porch watching the older teenagers and sometimes adults fearlessly tackle the game as if they were playing for the world championship or at least the national title. The only title gained was bragging rights for the rest of the day. Despite the horrible language, the twisted ankles, and sometimes busted lips, the players continued to show up daily to compete. Although I was a tad bit scrawny for my age, I desperately and eagerly wanted to join the game. I knew then I wanted to learn the sport, and it wasn’t long before I began to do so. Eventually, basketball became a passion as well as therapy for me. Every day, I dreamed of being the next Maya Moore or Skylar Diggins. Although that dream never came to be, my love of the sport continues. There are many players who agree that basketball helped them just by being on the team. Others swear that they learned to make better decisions in their lives because they played the sport as youths. Some experts even suggest that
Over 30 million children participate in youth sports (“Youth”). 3.5 million children under the age of 14 receive treatment for injuries due to playing sports (“Youth”). Imagine the increase of injuries if they played against older and more experienced athletes. Across the country, younger athletes are being put with an older age group. These athletes experience difficulties such as more stress, less playing time, and large sacrifices. Parents often question if moving up is worth the risk. If we want to keep our young athletes healthy, we need to prevent them from playing up.
Basketball, a sport that necessitates both physical strength and mental tenacity, is there to test how desperate I want to attain my goal. Every practices and conditionings serve as a new struggle to beat my previous best performance, which is rather an issue to my mind than the matter. My body always stays in
The old adage "No pain, no gain" may be a catchy phrase, but it is bad advice. Parents my want to start considering the wisdom of "Slow but sure.” In fact, a key factor in helping children and student athletes
Basketball seems to get into your blood. It is said by those who play, "You eat, you sleep and you play basketball." When I was a little girl all I wanted to be was a professional basketball player. I couldn't count how many times I pounded that dumb ball in our driveway until it was too dark to see, then I would play for hours more by the porch light. Now I realize that was only childish insanity. Back then they didn’t even have a girls’ profession basketball league in the states. However, that didn't stop me from walking away empty handed. One thing I learned was how to prepare oneself for life. Well, at least, how to prepare oneself for a game.