How Being on a Team Helps You Make Better Choices
Hey There, Future High Schooler!
Let's talk about something real for a minute. High school can be full of tough choices and peer pressure—especially when it comes to stuff like vaping, drinking, or other substances that might show up at parties or hangouts.
You've probably already heard the standard "just say no" talks, but did you know that being part of a sports team can actually make these situations WAY easier to handle? It's true! And there's science to back it up!
The Team Effect: Your Secret Superpower 🦸♀️
When researchers from the University of Michigan followed students from middle school through high school, they found something super interesting: teens who played sports were LESS likely to use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco than non-athletes.
But why? What's the special magic that makes being on a team such good protection? Let's break it down!
1. Your Time is Already Booked! 🗓️
One of the simplest reasons sports help you avoid substances is super practical: you're busy!
When you're at morning practices, afternoon games, weekend tournaments, or team dinners, you're simply not in situations where drinking or drugs are happening. It's hard to be at a sketchy party if you have a 7AM practice the next morning or if you're at an away game with your team!
Plus, many coaches have team rules about staying substance-free during the season with consequences if you break them. These clear boundaries give you an easy "out" when facing peer pressure.
"I don't want to let my team down" is a MUCH easier response than trying to explain why you don't want to try something when friends are pressuring you.
2. Your Body Becomes Your MVP 💪
When you play sports, you start to really appreciate what your body can DO instead of just how it LOOKS.
Once you experience the thrill of beating your personal record, scoring the winning point, or mastering a difficult skill, you become much more protective of your health. You realize that putting harmful substances in your body would only hold you back from your goals.
Athletes learn to see their bodies as powerful tools worthy of respect and care. When you've worked hard to build your endurance, strength, or skill, you think twice about doing anything that might damage that progress.
A study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that high school athletes were 25% less likely to smoke cigarettes and 15% less likely to use drugs compared to non-athletes—largely because they understood how these substances would affect their performance.
3. You've Got Your Squad 👯♀️
One of the toughest parts of saying "no" to peer pressure is feeling like you'll be left out or alone. But when you're on a sports team, you already belong to an awesome group!
Your teammates become like a second family. You share inside jokes, team traditions, victory celebrations, and even the tough moments of losses or difficult practices. This tight-knit community gives you a sense of belonging that many teens look for in the wrong places.
Dr. Maria Thompson, a sports psychologist, explains: "The human need to belong is incredibly powerful, especially during adolescence. Sports teams fulfill this need in a positive, structured way, reducing the appeal of finding acceptance through risky behaviors."
Many teams even hang out together outside of practice, giving you a built-in social circle of friends who share your healthy values and goals.
4. You Learn Healthy Stress Relief 😌
Let's be honest—the main reason some teens try substances is to deal with stress or difficult emotions. But athletes have much better tools in their toolkit!
Physical activity is literally one of the best stress relievers on the planet. When you're running, swimming, or playing hard, your brain releases endorphins (happy chemicals) that naturally improve your mood.
Instead of turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, you can:
Work out your frustrations during practice
Talk things through with teammates who get it
Focus on improving your skills as a positive distraction
Use team meditation or visualization techniques
Channel competitive energy into your sport
"Before basketball, I used to get really anxious about tests and social stuff," says Jamie, a 9th grade basketball player. "Now when I'm stressed, I shoot hoops for half an hour and my mind clears. It works better than anything else I've tried!"
5. You've Got Goals Beyond Friday Night 🏆
Being an athlete gives you something many teens don't have: a clear vision for your future that goes beyond the next weekend.
Whether you're working toward making varsity, beating a rival team, getting a college scholarship, or just improving your personal stats, having these goals makes short-term temptations less appealing.
Research shows that teens with clear goals and future orientation are significantly less likely to engage in risky behaviors—they have too much to lose!
"I definitely went to parties where stuff was happening that I knew wasn't good for me," shares Alex, now a college soccer player. "But I always thought about my scholarship goals. Was one night of 'fun' worth risking everything I'd worked for? The answer was always no."
The Real-World Numbers 📊
If you like facts and figures, check these out:
The Women's Sports Foundation found that female athletes are 80% less likely to use drugs than non-athletes
High school athletes are 3 times more likely to graduate than non-athletes
Teen athletes report higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of depression—two factors that help protect against substance use
Students who participate in sports have better attendance and fewer discipline problems at school
Even more impressive? These benefits continue even after high school graduation. The habits and decision-making skills you develop as an athlete tend to stick with you through college and beyond!
But What If My Team Is the Pressure? 😬
We need to talk about something important: not all teams have positive cultures. Sometimes, you might join a team where older players or certain teammates ARE engaging in risky behaviors or pressuring others.
If this happens, remember:
You ALWAYS have the right to make your own choices
True teammates respect each other's boundaries
You can seek support from coaches, parents, or school counselors
You might need to find a different team with a healthier culture
Remember, the goal of sports is to build you up, not to put you in difficult situations.
Beyond Just Saying No: Building Your Best Life
The best part about sports isn't just that they help you avoid negative influences—it's that they actively help you build a positive, fulfilling life!
When you're focused on:
Improving your skills
Supporting your teammates
Taking care of your physical health
Working toward exciting goals
Building your character and leadership
...you simply don't have much interest in activities that would undermine all that awesome progress.
As one high school senior athlete put it: "I don't avoid parties because I'm afraid of getting in trouble. I choose team activities because they're genuinely more fun and meaningful to me."
Your Sports Journey is About YOU
At the end of the day, playing sports in high school gives you something priceless: the confidence to be yourself and make choices based on your own values, not peer pressure.
When you know who you are and what you stand for as an athlete, it becomes much easier to navigate all kinds of challenging situations—not just those involving substances, but any time you need to make tough choices.
So as you think about trying out for high school sports, remember that you're not just signing up for games and practices. You're joining a community that can help support you through some of the most important years of your life!
What sports community are you most excited to be part of in high school? Let us know in the comments below!
