is it just me or does football require the least skill of all the major sports?

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: evident
dude, you need skill to throw a pass accurately while trying to outmaneuver 6 huge dudes coming at you ready to beat your face in, kick a ball between two poles from various distances, catch a ball w/o getting pwned by huge black dudes, i can go on. how does this not require skill?

i didn't say it requires NO skill. i said compared to the other sports, it requires the least skill and relies more on physical ability.

You obviously have never played football on any level.

Having played football, basketball, and baseball all throughout highschool. I can tell you that each has its own skill set that is equally challenging. There is no "Requires the least amount of skill" For any of those sports, they all require a fair bit of it.

Foot ball requires just as much adaptability as basketball does. Sure, you have your position and your job (just like basketball really) However, you have to be aware of what is going on all around you.

Not only that, but football requires much more of a poker face then basketball does (As well as the ability to read players). You have 5-10 seconds where you are looking at your opponent doing nothing. If he leans or glances to the left, you have to be able to say "Ok, the play is probably going to the left" Or "Hey, he is going to try and fake me out"

Heck, MJ was a great basketball player, but he sucked at baseball. I imagine that if we took some of the biggest pro-basketball players in their prime (Like shaq) and put them on a football team they would be mediocre at best. And vice-versa.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
arguably, the only positions that require special set of skills are the QB and the kicker.
all the other positions rely on speed and strength/size, and soft hands for receivers.

it's not like baseball where you need eye hand coordination to hit or field/throw the ball.
or basketball where you need to dribble and shoot (except for shaq who relies on buldozing his way to the rim).
or hockey, where just getting on the ice without falling on your ass requires skill.
etc.

You probably don't like football just because "fatties" can succeed in football as linemen.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I don't know... Standing in the outfield for seven hours and striking out every now and again for $40M+ / season seems to take very little skill.

you think it requires no skill to judge a fly ball or a line drive?
and he's not just in the field catching balls. you forget the hitting part.

and who makes $40M a season?

Ugh... Please re-read my post it covers everything you are trying to make a point on except the $40M. Maybe $40M is a little exagerated, but still they are WAY over paid for what they do.

So in a 9-inning game 1 player on average is up to bat what... We'll say 8 times, and a fielder makes a play maybe 5 times in a game. So 13 times in a game a player actually does something. To be generous lets say they see action 20 times a game.

I didn't say "it requires no skill..." I said it takes little skill to do the above. I didn't forget about the hitting part. I clearly said "and striking out every now and again".

Sure baseball takes skill, never said it didn't. I was merely overexagerating and sarcasticaly making a point that it doesn't seem like they do much in a game... and they really don't.

What do you do, and do you think you are overpaid?

 

[oogabooga]

I don't like football and even I can clearly see it requires skill. It's a lot more specialized in some positions and might not require as "much skill" as a player in a different position or sport, but football is team orientated more so than any other sport and it's positions are specialized far more so.

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: JS80

What do you do, and do you think you are overpaid?

Not much, and yes.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Are you trolling?

It's a disguised "fat" thread. Look at those linemen, they're fat!!

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: HopJokey
Four major sports in the U.S.A:

Baseball
Basketball
Football
Hockey

Which of the four requires the least skill? All of them require a tremendous level of skill at the top pro level, but the question is which requires the least to be successful (which can you rely on your physical attributes the most in)?

I'd say add soccer to the list and soccer and basketball are pretty much the only sports anyone can just get on the field and play. Basketball a little more difficult.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Are you trolling?

It's a disguised "fat" thread. Look at those linemen, they're fat!!

They are purposefuly fat during the season. Off season they are much leaner. Fat or not they are the most in shape "fatties" ever.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It has gotten so I can invariably tell which threads will go over a hundred posts now, and make it to a 2nd page. Prove me wrong on this one?

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
It has gotten so I can invariably tell which threads will go over a hundred posts now, and make it to a 2nd page. Prove me wrong on this one?

Will this help?

/thread

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I say there isn't a correct answer. They all require different skill-sets/physiques that it is hard to compare them across the board (like what IBS said).

Hitting a fastball is one of the hardest things to do, but how does that compare to going down the middle trying to make a crazy catch with the linebacker coming in at full speed trying to take you out? Etc. etc.

like i said, there's a couple of positions that require skills. qb, kicker, receiver.
the rest of them rely on pure size, strength and speed. more physical ability than skill.

football requires not only skills, but intelligence at every position.
First, every play has like 8 different scenerios. Every player must look at the opposition, analyse it and make the proper decision about what to do in this particular play.
WR: do I run route A,B or C?
RB: If I am getting the ball, which guys do i run between, or which guy do I have to block?
Ol/TE: which Guy do i have to block?
QB: make sure everyone is on the same page, where is it safe to throw, do I need to completely change out of this play?
DEF: which man do I attack

Every position requires a set of skills, which is more than just physical traits.


of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

 

[MotF Bane]

OP fails.

 

[Crono]

Football is like a battlefield. You have to use intelligence AND skill AND athletic ability in order to be a good player, for all positions. It demands top performance, ability, and training. That's why even physically capable players sometimes take years to mature and develop, and you can't just drop in anyone into the NFL and expect them to succeed.

Athletic ability is linked to skill, anyway. Even a giant linebacker needs skill to use his body effectively. Football is a sport of direct competition, and simply being good isn't good enough to win, you have to be better than the other guy, and skill will always come into play. I would say football requires just as much skill as the other sports, but it is physically more demanding than sports like baseball.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I say there isn't a correct answer. They all require different skill-sets/physiques that it is hard to compare them across the board (like what IBS said).

Hitting a fastball is one of the hardest things to do, but how does that compare to going down the middle trying to make a crazy catch with the linebacker coming in at full speed trying to take you out? Etc. etc.

like i said, there's a couple of positions that require skills. qb, kicker, receiver.
the rest of them rely on pure size, strength and speed. more physical ability than skill.

Go play offensive or defensive line at some point and tell me that there is no skill involved. Yeah, you have to be big and strong but without proper footwork and technique you'll get smoked every time. Not to mention all the reads you have to make along the offensive line can be almost as daunting as all the reads a QB has to make. And you have to do it while bent over in a 3-point stance.

As others have already said, different skill set but still requires skills.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: sao123
of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

i'd say you're wrong.
baseball is probably the sport that relies most on skill and least on physical attributes.
proof is all the asians in the league and least amount of blacks (percentage-wise).

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: sao123
of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

i'd say you're wrong.
baseball is probably the sport that relies most on skill and least on physical attributes.
proof is all the asians in the league and least amount of blacks (percentage-wise).

Someone is seriously working at trolling.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I say there isn't a correct answer. They all require different skill-sets/physiques that it is hard to compare them across the board (like what IBS said).

Hitting a fastball is one of the hardest things to do, but how does that compare to going down the middle trying to make a crazy catch with the linebacker coming in at full speed trying to take you out? Etc. etc.

like i said, there's a couple of positions that require skills. qb, kicker, receiver.
the rest of them rely on pure size, strength and speed. more physical ability than skill.

football requires not only skills, but intelligence at every position.
First, every play has like 8 different scenerios. Every player must look at the opposition, analyse it and make the proper decision about what to do in this particular play.
WR: do I run route A,B or C?
RB: If I am getting the ball, which guys do i run between, or which guy do I have to block?
Ol/TE: which Guy do i have to block?
QB: make sure everyone is on the same page, where is it safe to throw, do I need to completely change out of this play?
DEF: which man do I attack

Every position requires a set of skills, which is more than just physical traits.


of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

I think all else equal, if you're born with the body, football skills can be "learned." Baseball on the other hand not everyone born with the body can hit a 90 mph pitch or throw the ball 95mph.

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
I don't know... Standing in the outfield for seven hours and striking out every now and again for $40M+ / season seems to take very little skill.

the fact that a good player can only hit a ball 30% of the time means that the task at hand is very difficult and requires alot of skill.

Ummmm and what about football then? How many points are scored? Sometimes the 2 hour plus games result in 1 touchdown for both teams. That means the task at hand is very difficult and requires a lot of skill.


God I hate baseball. It doesnt require NEARLY as much athletic ability as football. It may require more skill in some aspects, but for overall athletic ability? Baseball should be at the very bottom.

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I say there isn't a correct answer. They all require different skill-sets/physiques that it is hard to compare them across the board (like what IBS said).

Hitting a fastball is one of the hardest things to do, but how does that compare to going down the middle trying to make a crazy catch with the linebacker coming in at full speed trying to take you out? Etc. etc.

like i said, there's a couple of positions that require skills. qb, kicker, receiver.
the rest of them rely on pure size, strength and speed. more physical ability than skill.

football requires not only skills, but intelligence at every position.
First, every play has like 8 different scenerios. Every player must look at the opposition, analyse it and make the proper decision about what to do in this particular play.
WR: do I run route A,B or C?
RB: If I am getting the ball, which guys do i run between, or which guy do I have to block?
Ol/TE: which Guy do i have to block?
QB: make sure everyone is on the same page, where is it safe to throw, do I need to completely change out of this play?
DEF: which man do I attack

Every position requires a set of skills, which is more than just physical traits.


of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

I think all else equal, if you're born with the body, football skills can be "learned." Baseball on the other hand not everyone born with the body can hit a 90 mph pitch or throw the ball 95mph.

Can everyone throw the ball 90 yards down the field like Jamarcus russel? Can everyone run sub 4.3 40s? I guess these skills can be 'learned'.:roll:

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: JS80

I think all else equal, if you're born with the body, football skills can be "learned." Baseball on the other hand not everyone born with the body can hit a 90 mph pitch or throw the ball 95mph.

oh yeah, and anyone can hit a 90 MPH pitch. All it takes it timing and practice. Anyone can learn this. Everyone knows this.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: JS80

of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

I think all else equal, if you're born with the body, football skills can be "learned." Baseball on the other hand not everyone born with the body can hit a 90 mph pitch or throw the ball 95mph.

Learned is vastly different than "be good at". Anyone can throw a football. A lot of people can throw it more than 30 yards. Some people can throw it 30 yards accurately. Even less can do it after doing a three step drop. And only a few can do all of that with a couple 300 pound guys barreling at your wanting to snap you half in less than 3 seconds.

Same goes for any other numbers of positions.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: JS80

of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

I think all else equal, if you're born with the body, football skills can be "learned." Baseball on the other hand not everyone born with the body can hit a 90 mph pitch or throw the ball 95mph.

Learned is vastly different than "be good at". Anyone can throw a football. A lot of people can throw it more than 30 yards. Some people can throw it 30 yards accurately. Even less can do it after doing a three step drop. And only a few can do all of that with a couple 300 pound guys barreling at your wanting to snap you half in less than 3 seconds.

Same goes for any other numbers of positions.

This is why I say you can't really rate/rank skills across sports. At the elite level of competition even doing simple stuff like making a lay up is difficult.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: Crono

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: sao123
of all the major sports, Id say baseball takes the least amount of skill.

i'd say you're wrong.
baseball is probably the sport that relies most on skill and least on physical attributes.
proof is all the asians in the league and least amount of blacks (percentage-wise).

Someone is seriously working at trolling.

how is this trolling?
i thought it was pretty much accepted that blacks are genetically disposed to physical/athletic superiority, whereas asians aren't.
how many asians were running the 100m at the worlds last month? yeah, thought so.

ichiro isn't an all-star for hitting homeruns. he's there because he's a contact hitter that gets on base.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Gothgar
uea it requires no skill, that is why anyone can go join any team at any time and go probowl

=\

like it was said... quite a few positions in football require mostly athletic ability of some sort, but not necessarily a great deal of "skill". Skill and athleticism (including raw strength) are not always one in the same. Some positions in football do indeed require a great deal of skill in addition to athleticism. Quarterbacks need precision, as do receivers. It's a mental skill coupled with athleticism for receivers and running backs - they need to have the agility (athleticism) coupled with precision thinking and body alignment to find the ball, lock on to a route, and avoid the defense.

The same can be said for the defensive positions, as far as coupling strength and precision goes, of course depending on the exact position.

Soccer requires far less in the raw strength category, but switches that for endurance. The rest of the necessary athleticism is essentially the same as American Football, but that goes for every position other than the goaltender.
Half backs and strikers require an immense amount of pure athleticism, and a healthy supply of skill. They need the agility and endurance, but also a great deal of explosiveness (but not the explosive strength like in most football positions). The skill is what sets various players apart - how apt they are with their footwork and dribbling varies between players. That's the most important skill, as is the coordination to make use of the agility to avoid players. Also, passing can be said to be a skill equal to dribbling.

Baseball requires precision for batting, along with a combination of agility and strength for swinging. The pitcher is obvious, no need to discuss that. There is ample skill in finding the best path to a just hit ball, and being able to glove it. Throwing, again requires strength, agility, and precision. Base running is a mix of skill and athleticism - the agility and explosiveness, and having the base paths conquered.

Baseball is the one most called out on how much skill and athleticism is required, and this is coupled with players who don't exactly look athletic. Body size doesn't always represent athleticism, again, looking to football players should help clear that one up. Baseball is less about lengthy effort, and more about precision and mentally determining the best path. The less athletic players make up for that lacking ability by being better fielders and having the precision when at bat.
Those skills don't come easy in baseball, I guarantee that. You can be trained for years and still not be up to par.

Go to football and soccer, if you have the required athleticism, most of the skill comes in training.

 

[threeringbinder]

run Forrest, run...