[quote]Malevolence wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Malevolence wrote:
But, how can you say “maintain that effort for more than short bursts” when that is practically all football is?
Because that isn’t all it is. A football player isn’t only on the field for 10 minutes. Many are on the field for the entire game. That takes more endurance than you are making it seem.
I’ve always had a hard time watching football(I like playing it at parks and the likes) because it is so start and stop. Yes, a player might be on the field all game, but he has a lot of time to catch his breath. Heck, after a goal is scored they have time to do victor dances. Basketball players immediately run back to defense. Although, there is legitimate criticism of modern NBA games with questionable free throws being awarded every 30 seconds(dwayne wade anyone?) Still though, on average, I’d say basketball is a more active game than football.
Basketball players are the same way, only their sport involves a lot more constant athleticism.
“Athleticism”? Please describe what “athleticism” is increased in basketball that isn’t there at all in football? Basketball isn’t even a contact sport unless someone gets fouled. Being able to take hits as well as give them is more “athleticism” by itself.
It’s all there in football, but I personally think Basketball is using it more. Football games are only 12 minutes longer than basketball games, but basketball games involve less stopping, contact may be limited, but that doesn’t mean that any player can get away with being weak. Having strength and power is vital for a basketball player.
Although, I would note the distinction between professional NBA/NFL and the skills that requires versus pickup basketball/football. The pickup basketball games I play are rough, and people get hurt, and fouls aren’t called, same with the pickup football games I play.
It’s a silly comparison to make in the end, all sports require different skills, mentally and physically, and there really isn’t any ‘best’, but we all know that I’m sure.
I agree, this may be a retarded argument…but so were most wars.
Still makes the world go round, though don’t it? heh.
In the end, I’m bias towards basketball because I play it more, I play football too whenever, but I’m more tuned into basketball than I am to football, so, whatever, I’m just shooting my mouth off really.[/quote]
First of all, let me point out that this debate is folly, because the elite athletes in any sport are all equally athletic, just in different, task-specific ways.
Now that I’ve gotten my disclaimer out of the way, I’d like to debunk the running all the time myth of some sports, like soccer and basketball. There is a lot of standing around and walking in both sports. Yes, those sports are more taxing overall than American football, but it’s not all end-to-end running. Watch them next time, without bias, and notice the amount of non-exertion that there is.
For example, in b-ball, the players pretty much stop at every out-of-bounds, foul, timeout, etc. Also, there is a fair amount of standing around or slow moving as a play is developing (i.e. waiting for a pick, clear-outs).
In soccer, the midfielders run their asses off. They are also typically the smallest guys on the field. Forwards and Defenders sprint then jog, then walk a little, then sprint, jog, walk. Play slows down dramatically during free kicks and throw-ins as well.
Gun to my head, the best athletes in the world? Olympic decathletes.
DB
