As far back as we can remember, sports have been an integral part of society. Whether they be in high school, college, professionally, or even in your own backyard, sports define many people. So without further ado, let’s take a look at why everybody, man, woman and child should play a sport.

1. Teamwork is involved within the competition.

Even in solo sports, such as tennis and golf, you are part of a team in your training. This teamwork gives you purpose for competing everyday, and by having teammates, ensures that you have a support system to rely on, even if the game gets down to a rough part. And by having teammates, you have instant friends. They can relate to you, and understand what you go through, because you spend your time on the field together, as a team.

2. The work that goes into playing.

It may seem tough at the time to run sprints and go through conditioning, but when you are able to beat the other team, because you were stronger, faster and tougher, it will be worth it. This feeling of satisfaction that you get when you win a game as a result of your work is unmatched by any feeling. And when you make a great play and hear the fans cheering for you, because you stopped the other team, that’s amazing.

3. Sports test intelligence of sorts.

If you are smart enough to play sports, then you can do it. By playing a sport, it tests your ability to make a good decision many times a day. For example, whether to run or pass the ball on third down is a situation that many quarterbacks run into, five days a week during practice and games, often three hours after school. Sports make your brain stronger, and force you to think on your feet more, and help you make better decisions under pressure.

4. The respect you earn from your peers, and the respect that you gain for your superiors.

When you play a sport, and are successful, everybody respects you. This respect gives you a new sense of purpose and more to play for, every time that you play the game. And you always gain a lot of respect for your coaches and adults when you play the game, because you realize how much work that they put in for you to be where you are, and it allows you feel what they feel.

At the end of the day, for whatever reason you play a sport, you need to play it to the best of your ability. And if you don’t play a sport, you need to play one because it gives you so much more purpose in life. Because sports teach you respect, the benefits of hard work give you a reason to go out everyday and do your best in whatever you do.