Here we go again: ESPN ranks the "toughest sports".

[Fausto]

I swear to god they just do this to annoy people and generate controversy (press).

We identified 10 categories, or skills, that go into athleticism, and then asked our eight panelists to assign a number from 1 to 10 to the demands each sport makes of each of those 10 skills. By totalling and averaging their responses, we arrived at a degree-of-difficulty number for each sport on a 1 to 100 scale. That number places the difficulty of performing each sport in context with the other sports we rated.

At least they got last place right....fishing.

 

[fs5]

so what do YOU think is the toughest?

 

[Shelly21]

Thai box/K1 is the toughest.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
so what do YOU think is the toughest?

I think it's generally ridiculous to compare sports that are essentially apples and oranges.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
so what do YOU think is the toughest?

I think it's generally ridiculous to compare sports that are essentially apples and oranges.

So, cycling, then?

 

[dquan97]

My list:

Hockey > Boxing > Wrestling > Football > Basketball > Soccer > Track & Field > Billiards > Fishing

 

[yllus]

I might have put Wrestling above Basketball, but their list works for me. Ice hockey is definitely #2.

 

[mattlear]

I think Ice-hockey is pretty damn tough. There isn't alot of standing around (unless you are the goalie) and it does take a considerable amount of skill to be able to skate, pass/accept passes, shoot, etc.

I think wrestling at #5 is a joke. For anyone that has wrestled, there is SO much that goes into a match it's not even funny. It definitely should be ranked higher in my opinion. I mean, placing basketball before wrestling seems ridiculous to me.

-Matt

 

[z0mb13]

how is curling tougher than bowling???

 

[Yaotl]

how is billiards ranked so low on analytical aptitude and hand eye coordination?

 

[Amorphus]

The entire "Analytic Ability" column seemed far too low for me.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: Shelly21
Thai box/K1 is the toughest.

MMA (UFC/Pride FC) >thai box/K1

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: pulse8

Originally posted by: Fausto

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
so what do YOU think is the toughest?

I think it's generally ridiculous to compare sports that are essentially apples and oranges.

So, cycling, then?

Cycling is definitely the most grueling sport. Not many others have events lasting three weeks.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: mattlear
I think wrestling at #5 is a joke. For anyone that has wrestled, there is SO much that goes into a match it's not even funny. It definitely should be ranked higher in my opinion. I mean, placing basketball before wrestling seems ridiculous to me.

-Matt

Absolutely. I've played nearly every sport including 8 years wrestling. It was by far the most difficult. Basketball is a joke compared to wrestling.

I'm not so keen on Boxing being #1. I doubt I'd even give it a top 10.

 

[waggy]

hmm I would think wrestling would be higher the basketball. otherwise that list looks good to me. I can see how hockey is #2 those guys have to be taugh to play it same with football and boxing.

 

[JulesMaximus]

How does Baseball rank above Auto Racing? All those guys do is stand around and feel themselves. Auto Racing there is a chance you might not survive the event.

I agree, these are useless comparisons used only to generate controversy.

 

Wrestling in 5th ?

I didn't know acting was that tough.

 

[sman789]

respect 4 tennis =

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Roger
Wrestling in 5th ?

I didn't know acting was that tough.

well besides the fact that stuff like WWE is NOT a sport nor do they claim to be one.

go watch a collegiate or olypic wrestling match. heck go wrestle someone for just 2 minutes and tell me it is not taugh.

yeah i know you are just trying to knock down "rednecks" but at least get a clue.

 

[BornStar]

I think hockey should be above boxing. If you think about it, any good hockey player has lots of boxing skills too.

 

[imported_Strang]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
How does Baseball rank above Auto Racing? All those guys do is stand around and feel themselves. Auto Racing there is a chance you might not survive the event.

I agree, these are useless comparisons used only to generate controversy.

*Badminton* is higher than auto racing.

Creating lists of the "greatest" and the "worst" are just cheapo controversy generators that get people (like myself) riled up. It's also cheap and easy content.

 

[tfinch2]

baseball above soccer? HAH

 

[rh71]

Yeah baby... hockey rules. There's a reason the good players have been playing since they were 3 and mom and dad strapped on a pair of skates for them. I plan to do the same for my kid. I didn't start till I was 15.

I'd put baseball above the other ones though. It's tough enough to precisely hit a ball traveling 95mph, but it's just as tough to guess if that's actually what they'll throw next so you can be ready for it. Swinging early at a 75mph pitch is pretty comical. I guess on paper it's easy...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Strangone

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
How does Baseball rank above Auto Racing? All those guys do is stand around and feel themselves. Auto Racing there is a chance you might not survive the event.

I agree, these are useless comparisons used only to generate controversy.

*Badminton* is higher than auto racing.

Creating lists of the "greatest" and the "worst" are just cheapo controversy generators that get people (like myself) riled up. It's also cheap and easy content.

I just noticed that...Make the insanity stop!!!

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Yaotl
how is billiards ranked so low on analytical aptitude and hand eye coordination?

How does Baseball rank above Auto Racing? All those guys do is stand around and feel themselves. Auto Racing there is a chance you might not survive the event.

Clearly, apples != oranges.