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What are sports where the biggest success factor is deciding to do it as a kid??
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:38 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:38 pm
Sports where if someone dedicated themselves to it at a young age they would have a high possibility of success at a high level.
The obvious one to me is bowling if that's a sport. Seems like just about anyone with average to above average coordination could've become an elite bowler if they dedicated themselves to being great when they were kids.
Golf to some degree could fit this.
The Mondo Duplantis thing got me on this train of thought. I feel like if anyone who was an above average athlete dedicated themselves to pole vaulting as a kid they could be really good at it, not world record good, but compete in college good.
The obvious one to me is bowling if that's a sport. Seems like just about anyone with average to above average coordination could've become an elite bowler if they dedicated themselves to being great when they were kids.
Golf to some degree could fit this.
The Mondo Duplantis thing got me on this train of thought. I feel like if anyone who was an above average athlete dedicated themselves to pole vaulting as a kid they could be really good at it, not world record good, but compete in college good.
23
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:43 pm to Tiger1242
the obvious answers would be any sport that is more skill than athletic
I don't know about pole vaulting though, as you still have to be more than just an above average athlete to be good at it
I don't know about pole vaulting though, as you still have to be more than just an above average athlete to be good at it
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:43 pm to Tiger1242
quote:
I feel like if anyone who was an above average athlete dedicated themselves to pole vaulting as a kid they could be really good at it, not world record good, but compete in college good.
Yeah, I don't agree at all. Basically every Track and Field event is highly genetics dependent.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:44 pm to Tiger1242
Pretty much all of them require a tremendous amount of repetition unless you’re just physically gifted. As for major sports, probably golf.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:45 pm to Tiger1242
female gymnastics - because they peak at 15-18. Not many older elite female gymnasts.
This post was edited on 2/11/20 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:47 pm to Tiger1242
quote:
Golf to some degree could fit this.
Golf, absolutely. I wish I had taken it as seriously as a kid as what my dad was willing to commit in terms of finance and training. I don't know that I'd be a pro, but I'd have at least gotten a scholarship to a big school.
No one is a natural ball striker, putter, etc., It's all learned through repetition and instruction.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:47 pm to LazloHollyfeld
Soccer
Hockey
Hockey
This post was edited on 2/11/20 at 12:48 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:47 pm to Tiger1242
Soccer has to be up there
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:50 pm to Tiger1242
Lacrosse.
If you're really good you'll be able to get a scholly (or into) to a good college, work at a major bank or Hedgefund after.
If you're really good you'll be able to get a scholly (or into) to a good college, work at a major bank or Hedgefund after.
This post was edited on 2/11/20 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:50 pm to Salmon
quote:
the obvious answers would be any sport that is more skill than athletic
This, so things like pool, or darts or bowling or golf.
You can get very far in those things on pure technical merit, and technical merit is what you can improve the most with practice.
This post was edited on 2/11/20 at 1:14 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:51 pm to Tiger1242
Not swimming, shockingly enough. Knew a guy who went from golfer at 14/15 to winning jr nats, setting records within a year... to Olympic gold medalist by 20. Also knew girls making the olympic team by 15 though. Qualifying for Olympic trials at 13/14.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 12:55 pm to LazloHollyfeld
quote:
female gymnastics - because they peak at 15-18. Not many older elite female gymnasts.
Daughter is 10. Is in the gym over 17 hours/week.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:02 pm to Tiger1242
There is obviously an pure genetic component to being an elite baseball player, but if you haven't started by age 10 or so, forget it.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:02 pm to Tiger1242
quote:
Sports where if someone dedicated themselves to it at a young age they would have a high possibility of success at a high level.
Baseball. You never hear of kids picking up a bat for the first time at 17 and going pro. It just doesn't happen. If you don't have at least 6 years of baseball experience by high school your 99% fricked at trying to get to the next level. Most kids have 9 to 10 years (5 or 6 to 14) before high school.
This post was edited on 2/11/20 at 1:04 pm
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:06 pm to I Bleed Garnet
quote:
Lacrosse. If you're really good you'll be able to get a scholly to a good college, work at a major bank or Hedgefund after.
Spot on actually lol. I worked at a private equity firm in VA where there were several all-American caliber lacrosse players that had gotten scholarships to Ivy League schools.
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:09 pm to usc6158
quote:
Basically every Track and Field event is highly genetics dependent.
and his example is a son of 2 olympic athletes
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:09 pm to Tiger1242
Wrestling
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:10 pm to Tiger1242
Fairly rare for athletes that focus early on just one sport to make it big.
Two great books on this, both by David Epstein
The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
Two great books on this, both by David Epstein
The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:11 pm to stickly
quote:
Spot on actually lol.
I know that’s why I said it.
quote:
worked at a private equity firm in VA where there were several all-American caliber lacrosse players that had gotten scholarships to Ivy League schools.
No longer there?
What also helps (i work with them now) is that because they were so good at lacrosse that helped them get accepted to those good schools
Posted on 2/11/20 at 1:23 pm to Tiger1242
I think it's something like...
Absolutely must be dedicated at a pretty young age:
Golf
Tennis
Gymnastics
Need to be fairly well-developed at a young age:
Baseball
Soccer
Hockey
Skiing
Can develop a bit later on than those:
Basketball
Football
Volleyball
Swimming
Track
Absolutely must be dedicated at a pretty young age:
Golf
Tennis
Gymnastics
Need to be fairly well-developed at a young age:
Baseball
Soccer
Hockey
Skiing
Can develop a bit later on than those:
Basketball
Football
Volleyball
Swimming
Track
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