DECEMBER 2023
“The Power of Habits: When Basketball Mirrors Life”
Read time: 5 minutes
Habits.
We talk about them a lot as adults. They shape our everyday lives to different degrees, and whether good or bad, they are undeniably a big part of who we are as people. With the New Year around the corner, there are going to be many New Year’s resolutions made about developing better habits. Some of the resolutions will stick, but many won’t. But anyone who has a good habit knows that once it is engrained, it is much easier to keep up with it than trying to establish a new one.
Enter youth sports.
In the dynamic world of youth sports, young athletes are not merely honing their skills on the court but are also crafting the blueprint for success in life. The court, alongside the dynamic action and physical output, becomes a training ground for more than just athleticism; it becomes a breeding ground for those same habits that extend far beyond the game. The earlier in life good habits become the norm, the easier it is for those same young athletes to maintain them later in life. Once an athlete, always an athlete! Below are some of the powerful good habits that basketball instills to shape not only stellar athletes but also disciplined, focused, and successful individuals later on.
Discipline on the Court = Discipline in Life
The basketball court demands discipline—early morning practices, strenuous drills, and a commitment to improvement. These habits, when instilled at a young age, transcend the boundaries of the court and infiltrate various aspects of life. The discipline required to perfect a jump shot or master a set of dribble moves becomes a transferable skill, equipping young athletes to navigate the challenges of academics, relationships, and personal growth.
Time Management
All young athletes have to juggle a multitude of responsibilities on top of the sport they play. This is only heightened when they participate in multiple sports throughout the year, and forces them to develop time-management skills at an early age. Between finishing their homework and taking care of school needs, working on their athletic skills and attending practices, and competing in games, those who struggle to keep up with all of it are often met with displeased parents who make managing their time better a pre-requisite for further participation in the sport. The level of accountability this creates for a young child is a great way to prepare them for an even busier life in adulthood and is an invaluable part of the sports journey.
Goal Setting
Regardless of the level of ambition, there is a great importance to setting goals for oneself in the short and long term. Some kids dream of making it to the NBA while others just want to make their school team so that they can enjoy the game with their friends. Whatever the goal, the process teaches the young athlete how to work toward something and dedicate the required energy to achieving it. If you fall short of your goals, you realize that you have to work harder to achieve them on the next try. This constant chase of improvement in relation to your goals is a crucial component of all people who become high achievers later in life. Athletes have a specific goal and a specific set of things they have to do, or learn to do, to make those goals become a reality.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
A commitment to improvement on the court often extends to a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Young athletes learn the importance of nutrition, fitness, and rest for optimal performance. These habits contribute to overall well-being and set the stage for a healthy and active life beyond the basketball court. Many of the upcoming New Year’s resolutions that were mentioned at the beginning of the post are going to be directly related to one’s fitness and well-being. When a young athlete gets used to what is required to play their sport, the goal is that these people stay athletes for life regardless of how long they continue to pursue participation in team sports. Taking care of your physical wellness throughout life is important.
In the world of youth sports, the development of good habits is not just about scoring points or winning games; it’s about shaping individuals who are poised for success in all facets of life. The discipline, time management, teamwork, resilience, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle learned on the basketball court lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement. For young athletes and their parents, the journey isn’t just about the game—it’s about cultivating habits that will lead to a winning score in the game of life.
Written by: Nem Mitrovic