Most Skilled Sport...

[ryohazuki222]

Wow. I didn't realize how in the minority I was... though I guess this is pretty skewed seeing as this is a golf forum. I had this huge debate with my girlfriend about basically this same thing about a month ago.

First of all... you guys might be interested in this: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills . This is taken from the article,

"But don't take our word for it. Take the word of our panel of experts, a group made up of sports scientists from the United States Olympic Committee, of academicians who study the science of muscles and movement, of a star two-sport athlete, and of journalists who spend their professional lives watching athletes succeed and fail."

The chart is interactive, meaning that you can sort between specific categories. Golf is on the list, but on the very bottom, and I think rightly so. Then again, that has a lot to do with the categories of the ratings.

Honestly, I think the answer to this question depends HIGHLY on what your definition of "skill" actually is. Personally, when I hear "what is the most skilled sport?" The question instantly morphs into, "what is the most difficult sport (thus... requiring the most skill)?"

[svchiefs19]

hitting a 95 mph fastball when your 60 ft away is the hardest thing in sports. not to mention, once you get the fastball figured out, here comes and 85 mph curve that starts out going right at your head and jump backwards scared out of your mind, and then before you know it, it breaks right over the middle of the plate. hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports

[bogeyhitter25]

I'd say hockey. You got pounds of equipment on you. You have to be good at skating. And you have to be able to take a hit.

[slick999]

i cant imagine hitting a curveball...

[-b-rian]

Does marriage count as a sport? haha

[wedge player]

well me bein a country boy im gonna have to go with rodeo you have one arm to hang on to a animal that is trying to get you off at all costs besides being in very good shape you must have lightning fast reflexs to adjust to your bull put a pro at any other sport on a bull they wouldn be able to do it

[steviesouthpaw]

hitting a 95 mph fastball when your 60 ft away is the hardest thing in sports. not to mention, once you get the fastball figured out, here comes and 85 mph curve that starts out going right at your head and jump backwards scared out of your mind, and then before you know it, it breaks right over the middle of the plate. hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports

Well said. I agree 110% with all of that.

[redalex]

The most skilled sport is Polo (on a horse). While not many play, imagine hitting that ball with that wind up all while riding and controlling a one ton plus beast at full stride.

[JohnP]

Beer Pong

[laborlawyr]

The sport requiring the most skill (other than golf) at a professional level is definitely tennis. YOU try returning a 130 mph serve!

[Blades4me]

My fellow coworkers and I were having a heated debate at lunch around this tricky topic.

Having been a "jock" since I was 8 I've done a lot of athletics and I can't think of any sport that requires more than golf. I agree about Hockey also.

Golf isn't difficult,,,,,,, if you don't golf. For those of us that do, well we know different.

[flopdarock]

i think this is a trick question... most sports that athletes have played since they were children come second nature to them...
ive been surfing since before i can remember an swimming before i could walk... i dont have to think about anything while doing these activities... but if i were to teach someone their very first day to paddle out with me at waimea or pipeline... i dont think it would go well... same thing with tossing a first time swimmer off the side of a boat...

all sports have a certain level of difficulty and there are some remarkable ppl in the world that are just incredibly athletic in nature and can pick up something quickly after just learning it... and to some its just an impossibility due to their lack of coordination...

so what some consider 'easy' others find impossible...

a truly skilled athlete is one who excels in many diff sports... bo jackson... dion sanders... etc etc etc...

so to say what is the most difficult sport is "it depends on whose playing"

[extremeld]

this thread will never end as there is no way to answer the question.

Most skilled sport no such thing - unless you measure brain function, complexity of motion etc but then through practice certain motions become easier and as such it cannot really be answered. The body can perform 1000's of motions, maybe if some bored science guy assigned ratings to each motion etc you could get some kind of answer.


I could also have said - its the sport where on average it takes longest to become the world number 1 - as you havent mastered the sport until that point, even then someone will be better at some point

Skills and athleticism are different things and of course make the act of achieving an identical result to an opponent either more or less skillful, to take the tennis example, i can physically return a tennis ball at 130mph but i am not quick so i would be hitting it at full stretch (or not at all more likely) a professional tennis player is more athletic and the act of returning the ball takes less skill.

hell, dont know head hurts

[denver_nuggs_15]

It's almost a fact that hitting a baseball correctly is the hardest thing to do in sports. Pretty weird.

For me, golf took more skill than any other sport that I have played.

[Brendan]

hurling that they play in ireland is a very skilled sport its the fastest game on grass in the world..

[Lemay427]

Ice hockey. then golf

[Fahmie25]

The sport requiring the most skill (other than golf) at a professional level is definitely tennis. YOU try returning a 130 mph serve!

I would say tennis as well. The sheer athleticism that is involved is quite amazing.

[Pablo McGheesio]

Football (soccer to the colonials) has a high skill level.

I have several friends who played in the reserves for second division teams. Compared to me (who played the sport since i was 8) they seemed like Pele. Yet they could not even make the grade for crap little teams.

It highlights the skill required for the true top level.

Please watch a youtube vid of Lional Messi. Skill? yes!

Other than that I believe boxing to be the only other contender.One mistake and you eat a punch that will more than likely knock you out.......Also their skills levels are so high in what they do..