The Influence of The Game of Basketball on Teens

Basketball plays a big role when it comes to sports competitions. Most boys have learned this game while they were still young and improved their skills through their PE classes in school. While some are just born with competitive skills in them that might be inherited from family members. But why is it that teenager boys get hooked to basketball?

When they were still young, basketball was just a game they play out of boredom. Basketball was just a game you play with no valid reason. It can be whatever and whenever. But when they finally became teenagers, some of them perceived playing this sport differently among other players. They wanted to improve. They aim to be better. While others just enjoy this game as a past time, others strive to be the best player that they can ever be. You can see some of them enrolled to basketball classes. You can watch some of them playing on their street leagues. Most of them are joining on their school's sports competitions, in which the best players started to get popular and known especially when competing with different schools. Especially when one's skill threatens other team. Each player has their own way of working out to be a better player. Each of them are motivated in different ways. All for one goal; to be the best player they will ever become. With the influence of their favorite PBA/NBA teams or star players, they work hard to be as good as them. They wanted to be like them. A once game led them to be a dreamer. They make the best out of playing, hoping that someday, it will be their turn to shine on the court like their idols with millions of people watching them, cheering for them. Showing their skills, influencing the next generation for who they had become.

Of course, their family also influences them for working hard on it especially if they supported them enough all the way. How gratifying do you think is it? To see your family members present in your game. Cheer you as you carry the name of the family. How satisfying do you think is it? To see them clap their hands on you as you take a good point shot on the ring, see them smiling so wide enough to make you feel they are so proud of you. Hear them shouting as they wanted to let the whole world know that for them, you're the best player ever. What about your friends who you're with while you're still practicing? They have been there since you started practicing. They will still be with you on your games. What about your supportive girlfriend who is always active in your games? Your girlfriend who will never fail to bring you your sports drink and ran to you immediately during your timeouts. Your girlfriend who is not ashamed to raise a banner with your name on it, and will be cheering you for the rest of your game.

But do you know what else influences them to be a better one? Their loss in the games. Those number of times they fell on the stage. Those number of times they've been told they can't do it. Those number of times their coach yelled at them, benched them the whole game. Those number of times better players belittled them. Those situations that made them feel like they're worse. Those times they feel like they're the reason why they lost the game. Those words that made them feel they can't make it. This was the part where they get to decide whether to continue or just find something new. But real players are strong enough to handle physical and emotional pain caused by the game. Real players don't just give up the dream they longed to reach. Real players are motivated enough. Real players believe that victory comes to those who are determined. Real players can't be taken down easily. Their failures will just make them stronger. People's judgments will just make them a better player. Because real players understand that it is just a part of the game. People might think they brought the players down, but the truth is they just triggered the part where the player use those experiences as a motivation to excel in playing.

It doesn't matter if you inherited those skills from your father or you learned it through self practicing. It doesn't matter how much trophies you have won or medals that you brought home. Even in loss, everyone can find a victory if you choose to learn from it. Your skills aren't measured by the length of the time you've been playing. Even a beginner can play better than those who have better competitive skills if the beginner is well driven enough to learn and develop his skills. He will progress no matter what, as long as he sticks to his motivation.

It wasn't always the first step that counts. It's who you are as a player that stands out. There's nothing impossible with a person who has enough motivation. It prepares him a way for success. It's easy to learn to play the game on the court. But not everyone has the courage to enhancetheir skills and reveal their true potential. Maybe the reason why teenagers are hooked to basketball is the competitiveness to be the best player, not to just be a game winner.