Playing an organized sport provides not only good exercise for younger individuals, but it also builds character and provides instructive life experiences. Basketball is a sport that comes with instruction in several life skills.
Learning How to Work with Others as a Team
“Teamwork” is a word that resounds throughout today’s companies and institutions. Being able to share responsibilities and competently provide significant contributions of thought and effort in today’s employment settings is essential in many professions. These qualities are developed in children who play basketball, as the players on the court constantly interact. In the workplace, this “esprit de corps” can easily be exercised in people’s particular jobs, leading them to realize that they should not feel threatened by the successes of others if they result in mutual benefits.
Learning to Adapt and Be Flexible
Unlike other sports in which players have designated positions, basketball often has team members play in varying positions depending on ball movement. The variety of positions that a player may have helps to develop his or her physical adaptability and flexibility of thought and perspective. Being flexible and able to adapt to situations is beneficial in basketball, and these skills can transition into assets in both a person’s avocation and personal life.
Accepting Failure as a Part of Life and Future Success
Even the best players in professional basketball miss crucial shots. Experiencing such miscalculations teaches the players that failure is the counterpoint of success. Becoming a better shooter or defensive player demands practice and hard work; two elements of success in almost any endeavor.
Understanding that one can learn from failure is also a path to success. After a loss, a coach goes over what the players have done that cost them the game. Then, he or she instructs the players on how to avoid such mistakes and how they can improve both individually and as a team. Motivational talks also inspire players to avoid previous errors. Then, after they win games, players will feel more confident about recovering from failures. Such successes on the “rebound” from lost games can be reminders in the future that lessons learned from failures make progress possible.
Having Patience is Key to Success
Being patient is key to making a successful basket. Aiming well at the right angle and distance, realizing when to shoot and when to pass and mastering the other details and subtle skills of the game all require self-control. The patience and discipline acquired in basketball can easily translate to success in the workplace.
