Difference between JV and Varsity sports

Harrison has so many different options for sports, so that athletes of all ability and experience levels can participate. For a school that strives for 100% participation in extra-curricular activities, this is really important. But for many student athletes, once you’re not a freshman, the team to be on is Varsity. 

Varsity is the name for the highest level of the sport, where athletes are competing at the highest level against the highest level of other school’s students. Most teams at our school also have JV, or junior varsity. A few teams have multiple JV teams, like volleyball. Sports like football also have a freshman team. Having several levels of teams means that student athletes have time time to understand their sport and to master all aspects of their sport. These teams often have more practice and fewer games, and the games they do have are against less skilled players.

This is a great way for student athletes to get more practice time and more help with understanding what they are doing. In addition, when playing in a JV sport, students can develop leadership skills. They are able to watch the older girls or boys in their position on the team. They can see how the varsity handle situations how they lead and how to better yourself in your sport. 

When playing in varsity sport there is more pressure on you. You are held to a higher standard with your coaches and to the younger players in the sport that you do. By starting out in JV, you have more time to grow in the sport before you have to be held to higher standards. In addition, you also will have more time to yourself, because JV sports often take less time than varsity. If you are in a varsity sport you will have more games, more practice and higher standards that are held to you.

However, whatever team you are on, that team does not define the player that you are. You are still a student athlete, and you are still valuable, and the team you are on is just what your coaches think is best for you. If you are put on JV sport, take that as an opportunity to grow as an athlete. Maybe next year, you’ll get the news that you’ve made Varsity.