Sports For Teens

When looking for a new sport for a teenager, you need to consider a lot of things.

It's not just about whether you think you'd be physically up to the task, but it's also about the mental stimulation and the amount of effort you have to put into the activity.

The teenage years of someone's life are extremely important to their development and will have a huge role in shaping the type of person they want to be in life – both physically and mentally.

Because of how good sports can be, it's essential to have a wide range of sports that you think would be beneficial in these areas.

We've compiled a list of sports and what they are so that you'll be able to have a few ideas in your head of which activity suits you best.

At the end of the day, as long as the people involved are having fun and enjoying themselves, that's the main thing.

Soccer

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and is played in almost every country.

It's been played around the globe for many years and has millions of fans all over the world.

And why wouldn't there be? The game itself is very fast-paced and demands a lot from its players.

There are lots of different variations of soccer with leagues being played all year round and throughout the world.

With eleven players involved on each side, you can expect to make lots of friends and learn about teamwork and tactics, as well as the physicality of the game.

Five-A-Side, Or Indoor Soccer

This particular variation of the sport is normally played indoors in an arena or stadium.

With two teams of five on each side, this version of the game requires more skill than other versions and is played by people of all ages.

If you wanted to play indoor soccer, then head to the local sports or community center.

If playing outside isn't for you, then this variation of soccer could be perfect. The goals are smaller than the full-sized variations and the game involves less height due to the playing surface.

Why not give it a go? Lots of people enjoy both sports!

Football

Football is a great sport to try out if you're interested in American football. In fact, this is probably the most common form of football played today.

However, it does require a bit of commitment because of how physically demanding the sport can be for those involved.

Much like soccer, this sport involves two teams that will aim to score points at each end of the field.

However, this sport involves using your hands to move with the ball and involves placing the ball in the end zone on either side of the pitch.

Along with kicking and a lot of mind-games, this sport is great for those expecting a more physically demanding experience.

Hockey 

While hockey may look similar to other sports, it actually requires quite a bit more technique to participate in.

This is a team sport involving six players per team on each side of the rink. The goal of the game is to use sticks to control a puck that is thrown toward the opposing team on the opposite end of the rink.

A number of rules need to be followed when playing hockey such as no fighting and no hitting the goalie. But even though this sport is intense, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Tennis

As one of the easiest sports to learn, tennis is a sport that anyone can pick up quickly.

It's played outdoors usually, but can also be played indoors, and involves up to two players on each side of the court. 

However, many people will often participate in a one-on-one situation per game. The object is to hit the ball back and forth between the opponents until someone scores a point.

The winner of the match is determined by who gets the highest number of points by hitting the ball over a net and onto the other person's side of the court.

Some of these games can last for hours, or even days at a time! It's an incredibly rewarding sport when you win!

Basketball

Another fun sport that has been around since the early 1900s, basketball is a fast-paced sport that involves dribbling the ball and shooting it into the basket.

There are three main types of basketball: 3-on-3 (three individuals vs. three), 5-on-5 (five individuals vs. five), and 7-on-7 (seven individuals vs. seven).

Each type of basketball involves different skills and strategies, but they all involve passing and shooting the ball through the hoop.

There are many styles of basketball, including 'street' basketball, where you can play casually with your friends in a more relaxed setting – unless you and your buddies are particularly competitive!

Swimming

Swimming is a great sport that can involve all parts of the body, so prepare to have a great workout in store for you!

Teaching you the importance of fitness and allowing you to improve your long-term endurance, you can enjoy this sport with freedom as you choose the distances that you can swim, making it also a great cardio for beginners.

With competitive swimming then coming into it and other variations of the sport, like water polo and even diving, you have no limits on what you can do.

Netball

Fairly similar to basketball, this sport involves two teams passing the ball around until they can get it into the opposition hoop at the other end of the court.

The main difference between netball, compared to basketball, is that you can't really move with the ball, and you need to focus on passing more than just dribbling when in possession.

With regard to how physical the game is, you can base your playing style around how physically fit you are and how much you want to run.

There are different positions that suit different builds, so there's something for everyone.

Baseball

Although baseball was invented in 1839, it wasn't until 1845 that it became popular enough to gain its own league.

Baseball is a very enjoyable sport that teaches teamwork and strategy.

Playing with a bat and a rubber sphere called a “Dewey” ball, you'll be able to test your batting skills against another player while trying to score runs.

A good arm strength is essential in keeping control over the ball especially during batting practice. Performing exercises targeting your triceps and biceps are a great way to increase arm strength for baseball.

But the most important thing about baseball is that it teaches you how to keep cool under pressure.

You'll need to make decisions based on the situation, whether that means making good choices during a crucial moment, or not running if you're out of position.

Volleyball

There are three main types of this sport: traditional volleyball, beach volleyball, and water volleyball.

They all have their own differences, with a different setup for the courts, which makes the game slightly different, depending on the environment and surroundings. 

This is one of the best sports to learn coordination because you'll have to work together with your teammates to pass the ball and hit it back to them.

Trampolining

This is a great sport for those who want to base their activities around improving technique and discipline.

Because of how trampolining scoring systems work, the sport is good for keeping your routines as flawless as possible and ensuring that practice makes perfect!

However, there are different variations of this sport, such as extreme trampolining and tumbling, which are done on a springy surface.

Extreme trampolining ties in with sports like parkour so that you can create your own routines and techniques, even thinking of your own tricks and dismounts.

Because of the fun involved, it's always fun to do these sports with friends and help to encourage each other to push further and get better at their own performances.

Dodgeball

Not for the faint-hearted, this activity will have two or more teams of people facing off to avoid being hit by balls being thrown from the opposition.

Because of the nature of this game, padding and good reflexes are needed to avoid injuries.

However, this game is definitely one to get your blood pumping and offers something different from the other sports mentioned on this list. 

With lots of different forms of this game, like extreme dodgeball on trampolines, there are lots of different ways to enjoy this sport. 

Golf

You might think that golf would only require you to put some balls into holes, but there are many things you'll have to do between shots, including deciding when to swing and where to aim your shot.

When learning how to play this sport, you'll also have to master how to control your body to perform well when hitting the ball.

Golf is an excellent sport to improve coordination because you'll have multiple options available to you throughout the course of the game.

It's also easy to pick up and play, meaning that anyone could start enjoying this sport if they have the motivation, making it a popular sport for adults too.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are lots of different sports that teenagers could take part in and enjoy.

It all comes down to personal preference and what you're looking to gain from the experience. 

With regard to physical attributes and mentality, it's good to have a think of what sports you'd think you would be good at before signing up.

Because the majority of people taking part in these sports will have had to practice getting better, there's no shame in starting from scratch and building up your skills with practice and perseverance.

Make sure that you take your time and get to know people as you play these sports because your teammates are your biggest asset!