The sport of football has come under some scrutiny over the years, mostly because of concussions and the concern about head injuries and the long term effects of this.
Many people think that football is a risky sport, something that people are not sure is worth the risk.
Should I Play Football?
We believe that the rewards outweigh the risks, and that football is an amazing sport that teaches life skills. Ultimately you have to make the final decision, but we believe the benefits are vast.
Parents for years have made the choice to either let their child play football or they have decided that there are too many risks involved. Whether you are a parent or you are a young person trying to decide, we will discuss the pros and cons, but ultimately we will talk about the 9 reasons to play football:
- Develop Competitiveness
- Encourages Teamwork
- Adversity
- Physically Fit
- Safer Game than it Used to be
- Mental Toughness
- Discipline
- Cross-Training
- It is Fun
1 – Develop Competitiveness
Football is the ultimate team sport, a sport that relies on teammates through the entire game. It is a sport that is competitive in nature, creating an atmosphere that creates toughness and a competitive drive.
Football has become such a popular sport, the competitive drive that it creates is difficult to replicate in other activities and sports. There are 11 players on the field at one time, all working towards a common goal, which drives competitiveness.
In life, outside of sports, having a competitive nature is extremely important and valuable. As children move on to adulthood, jobs, family, and life can become difficult and competitive. Football helps children learn the aspects of having a competitive nature.
2 – Encourages Teamwork
Teamwork is important in every sport, but also important in life, in jobs, and in families. Football uses 11 players on each side of the ball, each doing a specific task that is extremely important for the team.
One of the other great features about football is the fact that players can come in all sizes and shapes. Football uses a variety of positions, with having the same goal for each player; to compete and win a football game.
Children can learn how to not be selfish, because in football they quickly learn that it takes a team to be successful. This is extremely true in real life as well, and the benefits of working as a team are extremely important when adulthood hits as well. Children can learn how to not be selfish, because in football they quickly learn that it takes a team to be successful. This is extremely true in real life as well, and the benefits of working as a team are extremely important when adulthood hits as well.
3 – Dealing With Adversity
The sport of football encompasses a lot of adversity. From a very young age, children learn how to deal with setbacks. Setbacks happen in life as well, and the way that one responds to the setbacks makes a huge difference. If coached correctly, children will learn the values of dealing with adversity.
In the workforce, adults deal with adversity on a daily basis. Being able to reach back to being young and dealing with setbacks will help adults as they enter the workforce.
Learning how to deal with failure is also an important life skill. Football creates successes and failures. Although it is not fun to lose, there are life lessons that can be learned from failures and losses as well.
4 – Being Physically Fit
Being healthy is an important factor in life. Football is a very demanding sport, something that requires a lot of physical demands.
The training that is involved in football is invaluable as far as being physically fit.
As children enter the high school age, weightlifting and speed training is an integral part of the sport of football. This training is very valuable at this age as far as being physically fit.
5 – Game is Safer than it Used to be
There has been a lot of scrutiny about the game of football. Concussions are a risk, as well as some other injuries that are possibly with football.
Roughly 20 years ago, concussion began to be spotted and diagnosed. Prior to this time, concussions weren’t diagnosed, but players continued to keep playing in games.
Today, football has become much safer, with warning signs being very adamant and the knowledge of concussions becoming more aware. Athletic trainers do a great job or noticing the signs that players show regarding concussions.
The equipment has come a long way, as helmets and shoulder pads now protect players at a much higher rate. The technology has improved drastically over the years, with safety being a major concern and motivation to improve the equipment.
6 – Mental Toughness
This may be the main reason to play football, as football will push the limits mentally. Each play can be mentally challenging, each rep, each practice.
Coaches, if performing correctly, can really challenge and motivate players to be tough mentally. Mental toughness needs to be developed in order for a football team to be successful.
Mental toughness is not only important in football, but is extremely important in life, and in the workplace. Being able to get through adversity and tough situations is very important to success in the workplace and life in general. Football can teach these life skills.
7 – Discipline
Discipline is a key factor for every football team. Youth teams need to develop this because discipline and focus are such important skills to have in competitive sports. As players develop into more experienced football players, discipline is an important key.
Discipline comes into play in football activities, but also outside of the football field. Training, school work, and dedication to success requires discipline and goals to accomplish great things.
Discipline on game day is very important as well. Teams that have success have the most discipline. NFL teams need discipline as well, and those that lack discipline struggle through a season. Most of this comes from coaching, as coaches create a discipline amongst their programs
8 – Cross Training
Football requires training, a dedicated, motivated person to perform at the top level. Whether it is strength training or speed training, these offseason activities help with all sports.
The ability to compete is extremely important to mental toughness, but being able to train in the offseason provides confidence and toughness on game day. Training for one sport, like football, has many values for other sports as well.
We hear a lot of people that believe specializing in one sport is important. Most college coaches will say the complete opposite. College coaches want players that are competing year round, and training year round for multiple sports.
9 – It is Fun
This also is a topic that gets overlooked. Football is fun, but comes with a lot of demands. At a young age, playing football helps children develop friendships and strive for common goals together.
Football is a game of emotion, a game that can create memories that last a lifetime. Playing with friends, competing for a common goal, makes being young a lot of fun.
As children grow up, they learn that being a part of something is fun and enjoyable. They are dedicated not only to themselves, but can also be dedicated to the team, which provides an unselfish mindset, a mindset that can create a lot of success.
Final Thoughts
Football is a great sport, a sport that teaches a lot of life skills. SOme of the skills learned playing football may not be available to learn elsewhere.
Football, despite the risks that it may have, can be extremely rewarding. Injuries can happen in any sport, in any aspect of life. Coaching and equipment are extremely important to help keep children safe during football.
Life is about rewards versus risk, and football rewards far outweigh the risks. These nine reason provide a great resource if you re considering playing football or having your child play football.
