Debate or Football?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Ok guys, I have a dilemma.</p>

<p>I'm gonna be a rising junior, and for the past two years I have played football during the fall. My school's program isn't very good (we're a small school), and it's up here in Mass where football isn't as big (compared to say, Texas). The football season also lasts a VERY long time, longer than any other sport (from August 22, tomorrow! until Thanksgiving). Practices run from 3 to 5:30, 4 days a week, and Fridays are game days.</p>

<p>However, I am thinking about joining my school's debate team instead. I think I would be pretty good at debate as I can make logical and coherent arguments, and I am also a quick thinker.</p>

<p>I've already spoken to the debate coach, and he said starting this late (as a junior) is not a problem, provided that I put some extra work into it at the beginning to play some "catch up". As a freshman, I tried debate for a week or two, and didn't really like it, because the type of debate my school participates in is called "Policy Debate". Basically, you collect news articles for evidence and "spread" (read from them as fast as possible). Although this part would be annoying, I still think that I would do pretty well. (Btw, my school participates in the National Forensics League tournaments and everything so it's pretty good). </p>

<p>Of course, since it's junior year, I have a pretty tough schedule, harder than any one else's in my year. Three AP's (Comp Sci AB, Spanish, and US History) as well as 3 honors classes (Precalc, American Lit, and Chem). Debate also lasts from 3 to 5:30, but the schedule is a lot more flexible. On top of all my hw, I also play the piano pretty seriously, so I'll have to devote at least an hour and a half each night to practicing.</p>

<p>What do you guys think??? Do football, or debate?</p>

2

<p>I would recommend debate. It will look good to colleges, and your football program doesn;t sound too great. Go with your gut, but i would choose debate in a heartbeat.</p>

3

<p>Thanks GreenDayFan...I feel like I'm leaning that way as well. Where in Mass do you live?</p>

4

<p>try doing both, does debate last longer than the fall foot ball season? if so, ask you debate coach if you can start late in the school year. Most academic type team coaches are fine with that and support participation in athletics.</p>

5

<p>yea that's a good idea. Debate does last longer than football.</p>

6

<p>Football may be only until 5:30, but its going to take enough of a toll on your body, that at 5:45 you're not going to want to pop right up and start studying.</p>

7

<p>Debate is FAR more time-consuming than football for most national circuit teams; policy especially requires enormous amounts of reading and research. Plus, colleges like consistency. I would suggest football only because it's so late in your high school career. Policy debate isn't for everyone (though it is by no means mindless spreading of news articles); if you want, you can look into Lincoln Douglas debate which people usually grasp more quickly because it's not as reliant on terminology and crazy theories, but it would take a lot of initiative on your part. Find out a little more about what your debate team demands in terms of time and energy. I think consistency is more important than whether the specific activity tends to look good on apps, but that's just my opinion.</p>

<p>As for doing both:
At my school, students are allowed to participate in sports as well as debate for the first year but must choose between the two once they start on the varsity level.</p>

8

<p>I played Varsity Football for 4 years,. Was a team captain for 2.</p>

<p>Shows leadership abilities.</p>

<p>I also Wrestled and did Indoor and outdoor track.</p>

<p>all at the same time.</p>

<p>as far as im concrened, clubs mean nothing to colleges. because i got into every school except 1 i applied to. while i never went to any clubs. Just sports. while my club friends, didnt get in to same schools.</p>

<p>Your a Junior with a Possible starting spot and you want to walk away from football, will your teammates let you, if so thats one weak program.</p>

<p>also my team praticed 2-6 everyday. moday throgh friday. 3 days full equip thuirday was also lifting, 1 day scouting report and lifting. friday was a uppers only day. Then game on saterday and sundays off,</p>

<p>if the game was on a Sunday, we didnt have any days off and sometimes we would go 3-4 weeks with no days off.</p>

<p>I say Football,</p>

9

<p>sheldon, I live in Haverhill, Mass. about 1/2 hour outside of Boston</p>

10

<p>As a general rule,</p>

<p>varsity sports > clubs</p>

<p>in terms of time commitment, and the physical and mental demands.</p>

<p>Sheldon, what school do you go to?</p>

11

<p>debate isn't an ordinary club for many schools. At mine, it functions like a 3 season varsity sport.
Sheldon, you need to find out what exactly is required of you if you were to join debate.</p>

12

<p>Hey guys, thanks for the input.</p>

<p>I go to Weston High in Weston. </p>

<p>Yep GreenDay, I know where Haverhill is...we play you guys in lacrosse ;-).</p>

<p>LadyinRed, here's an excerpt from an email my debate teacher sent:</p>

<p>"...It's good to hear from you. I don't have a lot of time
today, but I wanted to send a quick reply to your note.
The short answer to your question is that we'd love to
have you back on the team, and while you can't debate as a
novice this year, there are still plenty of possibilities.
You're a bit behind some of the competition, but I've
always felt that ground can be made up if you're
willing/able to put the time into doing it. It'll take
some willingness to take a few losses in stride too, but
that's just a matter of keeping things in perspective, and
I think you know the win/loss record has nothing to do with
going to tournaments as far as I'm concerned. If you're
there and putting the effort in to get on top of things,
there will be tournaments available to you and help in
becoming more competitive!</p>

<p>Additionally, if you're around for the rest
of the summer I think people were planning to get together
for some practice before school comes back into session,
and in any case I can put you in touch with Captain1, Captain2, and Captain 3 about how best to juump in. let me know what your plans are, and we can work from there. Welcome back...talk to you soon.</p>

<p>JM"</p>

<p>I'm still torn. Today was the first day of football, and I spoke to my coach about doing preseason and then postponing my decision to play or not at the end of preseason, and he was fine with that...so I still have some time to make up my mind.</p>

13

<p>Did Allison Ritter graduate this year? That girl could mooove.</p>

<p>Play football, you want to get laid, don't you? (I went to Mansfield, 2003/2004 State Champions :p)</p>

14

<p>Yea Ali Ritter was insane. </p>

<p>Haha not really...I don't really know why I play. I love games but that's about it.</p>

15

<p>Answered my own question, she went to Jacksonville University. Why? She's so fast, and rich. . .</p>

<p>I was joking anyhow, do whatever makes you happy; if you'll have a better time on the debate team, and that's your passion, go for it. If you'd rather try to see if Weston can win the DCL this year, go for it.</p>

16

<p>Yea...I just don't know what I want to do. Debate isn't exactly a passion because, well, I haven't started yet. </p>

<p>Haha and Weston can't win the DCL, we're in a non-league. We can't compete with the big boys (AB, CC, Wayland).</p>

17

<p>if you have to question whether or not you want to play football then its best to not play it. football is not something to get into only when you have half a heart.</p>

18

<p>Pff Wayland is not a big boy in the DCL. We just finished up Bay States with them, and compared to the other teams at the camp(Foxboro, Needham, Natick, Wellesley, Belmont Hill), they were neither very big nor very impressive.</p>

<p>Weston is decent, if you have a chance at starting this year, you should keep going. If you can start at Weston your junior + senior year, you can get recruited and it can be a nice hook for some small DIII college.</p>

19

<p>I know a few kids at my school who manage their time well enough to do both football and debate. Of course, that doesn't leave much room at all for any other activities.</p>

<p>I can tell you, in debate, how much you succeed will be directly related to how hard you work. You can really be on a debate team and slide by without much effort at all, or you can become truly competitive and make yourself stand out. </p>

<p>If you're looking at this from a college admissions point of view, debate seems easier to gain personal recognition (and perhaps a leadership position) in than football.</p>

20

<p>if you're looking for help in admissions, unless you're pretty stellar at football (as in recruiting material) it won't help you that much</p>