Alternative Sports for High Schools
- Individual sports programs offer options for students who aren't interested in playing on a team. Bicycling, diving, skateboarding and bowling are examples of alternative sports that can be played with one person. These sports can be played competitively or just for fun. These kinds of sports are well-suited for teens with special needs, giving these students the opportunity to learn an athletic skill, according to Southern Maryland News, a newspaper based in Maryland.
- Though the popularity and interest regarding alternative team sports may be a "surprise to older generations," nontraditional sports are becoming more common in nationwide high schools, according to the Middletown Press. Alternative team sports range from wrestling to lacrosse to field hockey. Lacrosse and ultimate Frisbee are two of the fastest growing sports in the United States. More than five million youths in America play ultimate Frisbee, up from four million in 2007.
- Board sports are alternative sports that high schools are choosing to incorporate into their sports program. Skateboarders are often associated with people who commit crimes of vandalism and destruction, according to the Los Angeles Times, but skateboarding is a sport that gives teens the opportunity to express themselves by performing tricks and stunts. Other examples of board sports are snowboarding and longboarding.
- Although martial arts are viewed as aggressive or even violent, high schools throughout the country are offering this spot to teens. Martial arts give children the opportunity to release their aggression in a safe and monitored environment, according to the New York Times. By participating in a school's martial arts program, children learn self-defense techniques and the self-discipline it takes to be a fighter.