Teenagers who play sports, participate in team games and engage in a healthy amount of competition learn how to be more assertive and sure of their own abilities. This leads to the development of both verbal and inner confidence, which in turn leads to a happier, well-rounded and enthusiastic person.
Teenagers spend much of their time feeling the pressure and responsibility of academia. Tests, studies and educational peer pressure can all cause a teenager to feel stressed and often depressed. Playing sports eases tension, gives a healthy outlet for stress and offers a distraction against the strain of school life.
Participating in sports teaches a teenager the value and benefits of commitment and responsibility. Team sports rely on each member of the team to achieve successful results in games or matches, and satisfactory outcomes in practices. A teenager who demonstrates commitment to her team and takes on some of the responsibility of that team's success will fill a strong sense of pride and achievement.
Playing sports is a healthy workout for a teenager. Sports will improve the overall fitness of a teenager and help him maintain a healthy weight. Teenagers who are serious about sport are also less likely to smoke or drink, as they are aware of the negative effects it will have on the body. Playing sport from an early age will help prevent health problems and diseases in later life, such as heart conditions and osteoporosis.
A teenager who plays sports will learn how to behave appropriately within a team, how to handle group problems and how to communicate with members at different levels and skill. Not only will this improve his game and how he is viewed by others on the team, these kinds of social skills will follow him to the workplace when he is older and help advance the process of fitting in.
While playing sports is overwhelmingly positive for a teenager's mental and physical development, there are some negative aspects to consider. Playing too much sport can lead to a burned out and overtired teenager, which can affect his school work and social life. The pressure he might feel within his team or from his coach could cause him to display signs of aggression or frustration in other areas of his life. A teenager who appropriately balances sports with his other areas of interest and obligations will benefit more from sports.