Basketball has many advantages over other popular sports. Basketball unlike many other popular youth sports, such as baseball or football, can be played both as part of a team or alone. That's one of the most important benefits that it offers. Why is that such a great benefit? I think it's the fact basketball forces us to learn to work alone and as part of a team, both being essential skills in our society.
Practicing alone builds both mental and physical strength. The best players in the world have certainly spent countless hours practicing. Practicing various set shots from various spots on the court, practicing layups, fade-away shots, dribbling practice, the list goes on and on.
Working by yourself on these skills strengthens us mentally. It instills a work ethic that lasts a lifetime, well beyond our youth. Playing outside on a driveway or school yard court, in various types of weather alone, builds fortitude and mental toughness. Those traits are essential as we enter college and again as we become part of the workforce or open a business of our own.
Basketball also requires us to learn to work with others. Playing or practicing basketball as part of a team requires cooperation, planning, teamwork and leadership. These skills are also essential for success in the workplace. When a child plays on a youth basketball team, they are unknowingly beginning to develop beneficial skills that will serve them well throughout their life.
There are countless reasons that we can pay tribute to various sports. When it comes to teaching us the importance of being able to work through adversity, both as individuals and as part of a team, none compare to the sport of basketball in helping us prepare for adulthood and future success.