| Many people find that they have social relationships | | | | what is available in your area. |
| with people from school or from work. The problem | | | | You can get a lot of good information online. With a |
| with having only these kinds of acquaintances is that | | | | few clicks of your mouse, you can find listings for local |
| the relationship is based on the fact that you are in the | | | | teams and leagues near you. This is a way that you |
| same location for a certain number of hours each day. | | | | can learn something about the team and its members |
| If one of you leaves, there isn't enough common | | | | to get a feel for whether you would be a good fit. If |
| ground for you to maintain the relationship and you | | | | the first one (or few) you click on don't seem to be |
| don't keep in touch over the long term. | | | | quite right, no need to despair...just keep looking. |
| If you are interested in making some new friends, what | | | | Another way to find a team to join is to check out the |
| can you do? Joining a team is a wonderful way to | | | | locations where they play. Visit your local soccer field, |
| meet some people that you may not otherwise meet. | | | | skating rink, or gym where basketball games are being |
| Your common interest brings you together for some | | | | held to get information. (Many rec centers have |
| good times. | | | | adjustable basketball hoops that can be used by |
| Choosing a Team | | | | players at different ages and skill levels.)The leagues |
| The first thing you need to figure out is what kind of | | | | that are active in your area may have posters up or |
| team you are interested in joining. If you are looking at | | | | brochures that you can take home. |
| a sports team, like lacrosse, basketball, soccer, or | | | | Advantages of Joining a Team |
| hockey, you need to be honest with yourself about | | | | When you sign up for a group activity, you walk into |
| your level of athletic ability and ability to commit to | | | | the situation with something in common with all of your |
| playing on a regular basis. Are you driven enough to | | | | fellow players. If you are a bit shy, you won 't with |
| play in a competitive league? Are you willing to commit | | | | what to say to continue the conversation after you |
| to attending games and tournaments (which may | | | | say hello to your fellow players. |
| involve travel) as part of the deal? If not, then you may | | | | Being part of a team means that you have a sense of |
| want to join a recreational league and focus on having | | | | belonging, and we humans are very social animals. |
| fun. | | | | There is reason why being put in solitary confinement |
| Once you have determined how much time and | | | | is a punishment, after all! By sharing a team activity, |
| energy you are prepared to devote to this pursuit, it's | | | | you give your social life a boost, which is something |
| time to start looking for a team to join. There are a | | | | we can all use sometimes. |
| few different approaches you can take to find out | | | | |