We can all agree that basketball is suited to tall people. In fact, one could make a strong argument that nearly all sports favor tall people – it gives them reach (like in boxing) longer legs for speed (like in track and field) and generally more size or mass (like a receiver in football), so I won’t bore you with that list. Instead, let’s investigate three of the lesser known sports that favor those lanky athletes.
1) Ultimate Frisbee
This fast growing sport has a fanatical fan base and even more rabid core of players, and while the nature of the game is geared to build camaraderie, the sharp edge of competition defines this exhausting activity. Players combine a well-honed throwing style with elaborate maneuvers and raw bursts of speed in order to advance their disc down the field. However, the one defining characteristic of a successful team is the ability to leap.
The disc is generally well controlled by the attacking team, but often they must resort to a long distance pass, or “Hail Mary” in order to score. If they enjoy a distinct height discrepancy all of the other factors in the game can be negated with a simple strategy of long bomb passes.
Control the height advantage, control the game.
2) Underwater Hockey
That’s right – underwater hockey. (check it out:http://en.wikipedia.org/wi ki/Underwater_hockey)
It actually is a sport, and while it may not enjoy the same appeal of most fringe games, it has a dedicated following of participants. The game basically consists of moving a weighted puck across the bottom of an olympic-sized pool toward an opponent’s goal. Teams of five are equipped with a small wooden stick, gloves, fins, and a snorkel mask.
Since the action takes place entirely underwater, holding one’s breath is a key factor as well as a speedy attack. Taller players have the advantage of a much more powerful kicking stroke, and if used correctly, it can propel them past the defense straight to the goal, especially if the attack is synchronized to the goalie surfacing for air. The advantage of height in this sport is much like regular swimming, only it’s amplified by the use of fins.
3) Arm-wrestling
You haven’t seen a real sport until you watch Sylvester Stalone’s 1987 masterpiece “Over the Top.” It’s about competitive arm-wrestling, and it’s awesome.
Basically the advantage here is simple, well applied physics – a longer arm gives a lever greater ability to apply force. The longer arm of a taller competitor simply takes advantage of that fact. A shorter opponent is off to an immediate disadvantage by literally giving a taller person a head start. Height gives them the advantage – hands down.
These days height isn’t just for getting things off shelves anymore. It’s taking over even the fringe sports, as well as dominating the major ones. I’m sure that in time some giant will conceive a way to make height beneficial for jockeys. Until then, let’s hope they stick with basketball and leave the shrimps something.
Incoming search terms for the article:
- ultimate frisbee tall people
- track and field taller
- action sports for taller people
- sports that favor height
- sports that favor tall people
- sports that favour tall people
- sports to get taller
- suitable sports for people
- tall people and track and field
- tall people frisbee
No related posts.
