How Does Football Boost Self Esteem?

Americans play football at all levels of competition, from children's to college and professional leagues. You may play football for any of a variety of reasons, from simply enjoying the challenge to attempting to gain strength or lose weight. Football can also boost your self-esteem, regardless of the level at which you're competing. Recognizing these benefits can help give you a greater appreciation of the sport.

Allowing You to Meet Goals

One way to boost your self-esteem and build up confidence is by meeting goals. When you set a realistic goal and put in the work to achieve what you set out to do, it proves that you have the skills, abilities and discipline necessary to succeed. Because football entails such a broad range of skills, the sport offers ample opportunities to set and meet goals. These can include mastering a new route, improving your sprint speed or achieving a certain number of tackles during the season.

Seeing Your Entire Package of Skills

Marci Fox, Ph.D., and Leslie Sokol, Ph.D., note that a surefire way to boost your self-esteem is by accepting that "you are a desirable package rather than any one individual item." No matter what position you play, you will have a diverse array of skills, from blocking and tackling to catching and running. Even if you don't have the most speed, you will still have many good aspects to overcome any flaws. This will help you realize that you have an entire package of skills of which to be proud.

Improved Body Image

Excelling at football involves working out to improve strength and power. Working out with weights can help increase your muscle mass and may help you reduce your body fat. By increasing your strength and muscle mass, you can improve your body composition and body image, making you feel better about yourself and boosting your self-esteem.

Teamwork

Football can also boost your self-esteem because it allows you to be part of a team. The ability to work as a member of a team is important not only in sports but also in the working world. Cooperation is required for success in football, and working well together with your teammates can help you realize your self-worth and increase your self-esteem. Your teammates will appreciate your efforts, and that recognition can help you feel better about yourself and succeed in other situations.