Committing yourself to a sport is a lot more than just setting aside time for practices and games, and if you rush into this decision, you could wind up regretting it. Sports are great, and they can offer unparalleled excitement and enjoyment, but they also require a great deal of personal dedication and commitment. Here are a few questions to consider before taking the plunge into competitive sports.

Are you playing for YOU? Sports can be a lot of fun, but they can also be very stressful, especially if you are only playing to please or impress friends or family. Don’t commit yourself to a sport unless it’s what YOU want to do. Your passion and love of the game should be your primary motivator.

Are you willing to put in the time? Getting better at a sport involves constant and long-term practice and learning. Skills are developed and perfected over years, not weeks or months. If

you really want to make sports a significant part of your life, you need to be willing to make a serious time commitment.

Are you willing to put in the work? Practice and training isn’t easy. You get better by working hard, not just by showing up. If you want to see any positive results from sports, you are going to have to dedicate yourself to a serious training and practice routine, and it’s not always going to be fun. There will be days that you don’t feel like practicing or training, and you are going to have to force yourself to work hard and make progress.

Do you have a support system? Encouragement is very important to developing athletes. If you have the support of your teammates, parents, or friends, then finding the drive and will to succeed can be much easier, so don’t try to do it alone. Be willing to accept advice and share your problems with those who support you, and they will be there to help you through the rough times.