Team sports have always been a big part in raising both of my boys. All the running around to make sure the kids are fed and at practice, at least mostly on time. Remembering to wash the uniforms so they aren’t the smelly kids on the bench. Grabbing water and snacks right before heading out the door. Every trophy and medal they received was really a joint effort if you ask me! However, even amid the chaos, I will never regret every time we signed those registrations. Playing recreational sports has taught my boys, and our family, more than just how to play the game.
Obviously, there are physical benefits, but the mental strength my children have gained have been my personal favorite. 
Participating in team sports, whether they were recreation department leagues, travel leagues, or even church leagues taught them resilience, discipline, and accountability in real life scenarios. Ever since my oldest son played football with our small town rec. department, and now my youngest son playing indoor roller hockey, I always tell them to worry about the next play. Whether they make mistakes, miss a play, or when I see them throw their hands up angry over a bad, or nonexistent, referee call, they can’t do anything about what has already happened. You must move on and make the next play count. During games even today, you can hear me in the crowd yelling out, “next play!” and they know to check back in and move on.
The lessons kids learn through recreational sports can carry over into how they handle life going forward. My oldest son is an active duty soldier in the Army now. During one of his coveted Sunday check in calls during in his basic training days he reminded me of this. He had a hard week. It seemed like he and his battle buddies just couldn’t get right. The drill sergeants were on his back the whole week. He could have felt defeated, he could have, gasp, argued back when he felt like he was being treated unfairly. Instead, he told me that he remembered me teaching him the “Next Play Mentality”. He checked back in, reset his determination, and moved on. Before we hung up, he assured me that he was determined to make the next week better. And he did!
Every year Recreational Sports and Fitness Day is celebrated on February 22nd to inspire families to get active and enjoy the benefits of sports and movement. Remember this year that the mental muscles we gain can be just as important as the physical muscles we build!
