Should a person join a sport in high school?

For fun, great. But if you put more time into a sport than into your studies, you are very likely to regret it for the rest of your life.

The number of athletic scholarships dwindles every year. The bulk of high school students getting such scholarships are those who started taking sports seriously by age 9. And even of those, the number is something like 10 percent.

Realistically, high school is not an end in itself, it's a means to an end. Decide what you want next, and set your efforts to those lines.

Otherwise, high school will be the best time of your life. That's one of the saddest things I hear people say.

Sure, why not? As long as you enjoy it and it doesn't get in the way of your studies..

Sure, if there's one you like. If not, or if you're not too athletic (my story) do something different. I did debate, but many high schools have mock trial,, art or music among many other groups. Sports are great, but do something you like and can dedicate yourself to most importantly. You can learn skills from any activity.

YES!...is there a reason you shouldn't?

Well, obviously if you played a sport, it would be a good idea to play it in school. But it's also great for making new friends. I came into high school virtually friendless, and now I have a ton of friends from my water polo team.

Yes. Do a variety of things, even those that your are afraid to do. Especially do things that you think people your age will make fun of.

Only if they do it because they want to and enjoy it -- NOT because a parent says they should or just for popularity.

Yes, yes and yes!! For endless reasons. Fun, health, opportunity to meet different people and a chance to go to college for free.

if the person is athletic and interested.

Sure, if there's a sport you like and don't totally suck at.

Not if they don't want to. All i wanted to do in high school was play guitar, have sex and drink vodka.

I'm biased as I was a major 'jock' in high school and 'lettered' in several different sports. I wonder sometimes if I would have enjoyed it so much if I was a 'bench warmer'? Practice was okay, but the real fun is competing in the games. You should definitely only join a sport if you really enjoy not only that particular sport but if you like the coach. Fewer things will make a sport 'not fun' than having a coach you can't stand. I left a national traveling soccer team because the coach was a jerk. Did I miss out on some potentially really cool experiences... probably... did I have a much better summer... definitely!