The most difficult position to play in sports?

doubledragon

Has to be the quarterback position right?

craig44

that is correct. Quarterback. needs to know what 21 other players are doing on every play and has about 2.5-4 seconds to interpret all the data and physically execute the play

stevek

Quarterback - I would agree.

I will also agree and commend you on a beautiful new avatar. I knew one day you'd gain the knowledge and wisdom to realize that being an Eagles fan is the best there is in professional sports.

Congratulations!

BTW - At 1:00 today at the Eagles fan website, there will be a five hour detailed seminar about the greatness of Chuck Bednarik. Participation is not mandatory but recommended.

thisistheshow

I understand the above QB answers, but expect to get some pushback.

You'd have to define "difficult". Lol

craig44

I want to add that I think DD should change his avatar next week to one where my Tommy is prominently displayed. These boards have had an absolute dearth of Tommy content lately and I needs me some.

I think once you try on Tommy, it will feel like coming home to a nice warm hug!

doubledragon

For everyone's information, I'm doing just fine with this new avatar, not bothering me one bit.

perkdog

Quarterback, the amount of moving parts needing to be processed while you have multiple large men trying to disrupt you is second to none.

Basebal21

Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

galaxy27

cornerback is brutal. covering a gazelle on every snap not knowing where he is going, then surprise, surprise it's not a pass play this time and now you have to shed a block and go tackle a small bear. talk about having to be in tip-top shape. and on top of that you're required to develop a serious case of amnesia on moment's notice.

stevek

The easiest position to play in sports?

Being a corner and covering Tom Brady as a receiver. When ya see him going out for a pass, it's a good time to relax and order a snack from the concession stand. 🤣

https://youtu.be/uzY7zEmFBgc

craig44

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

there is a difference between difficult and physically demanding. yes, Catcher is very physically demanding, but in no way is it more difficult than playing QB. I could make an argument that QB is also more physically demanding than playing catcher. there are games where a QB comes out fairly clean, but then there are those games with 6 sacks and 13 QB hits. I can promise that QB is feeling more physical impact on the next day than any catcher.

perkdog

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

I didn't think of the Catcher position and although it's tough it's not even close to the snap thinking you need to do in a few second window like a QB though, sure you have help but you still need to.have eyes on both sides of your head while you are scanning the field trying not to get steamrolled

georgebailey2

I would have to go with punching bag........er, I mean - boxer or MMA fighter.

Basebal21

@craig44 said:

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

there is a difference between difficult and physically demanding. yes, Catcher is very physically demanding, but in no way is it more difficult than playing QB. I could make an argument that QB is also more physically demanding than playing catcher. there are games where a QB comes out fairly clean, but then there are those games with 6 sacks and 13 QB hits. I can promise that QB is feeling more physical impact on the next day than any catcher.

I would say difficult and physically demanding are different ways of saying the same thing. Theyre both the hardest spots to play on the field for sure for those two sports. Its certainty not fun getting blindsided by a 280 pound edge rusher, but often times that is because the line let the QB down. The strain of a catcher happens no matter what. They basically all end up with bad knees and have changed how they set up from it. A couple years from now I could change my mind and think the two are close, but when you have catchers squatting for more than two weeks of their life in terms of hours a year its a brutal position to play

Basebal21

@perkdog said:

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

I didn't think of the Catcher position and although it's tough it's not even close to the snap thinking you need to do in a few second window like a QB though, sure you have help but you still need to.have eyes on both sides of your head while you are scanning the field trying not to get steamrolled

Game time decisions I can buy that. Catchers used to have to call all the pitches but now that has been changing. The difference for me is the individual vs team aspect. A QB with a great line and good weapons will have a nice season, a bad line will not be fun for a QB. Catchers whether good or bad will have to be there and spend the most hours by far learning pitchers pitches and trying to work on their hitting as well. The longer MLB season or college season than the NFL or College is also a lot more stress overall. For the most part a QB could take a more brutal injury on a single play, but the catcher will take more long term stress on the knees. Blocking a 100 mph pitch or having a foul tip to the head also isnt fun at all.

craig44

@Basebal21 said:

@craig44 said:

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

there is a difference between difficult and physically demanding. yes, Catcher is very physically demanding, but in no way is it more difficult than playing QB. I could make an argument that QB is also more physically demanding than playing catcher. there are games where a QB comes out fairly clean, but then there are those games with 6 sacks and 13 QB hits. I can promise that QB is feeling more physical impact on the next day than any catcher.

I would say difficult and physically demanding are different ways of saying the same thing. Theyre both the hardest spots to play on the field for sure for those two sports. Its certainty not fun getting blindsided by a 280 pound edge rusher, but often times that is because the line let the QB down. The strain of a catcher happens no matter what. They basically all end up with bad knees and have changed how they set up from it. A couple years from now I could change my mind and think the two are close, but when you have catchers squatting for more than two weeks of their life in terms of hours a year its a brutal position to play

I would disagree with "difficult" and "physically demanding" being different ways of saying the same thing.

Nose Tackle is a very physically demanding position. it is not necessarily "difficult" in that you do not need to be a Rhodes scholar to successfully decode playing the position

Quarterback is very difficult. especially when an especially complicated offensive scheme is being implemented. It can also be VERY physically demanding according to how well your OL plays and how effective the defense plays.

Another way. Endurance running is extremely physically demanding. it is not that difficult as it is simply a repetitive motion with very little intellectual output. Same with powerlifting and many other individual sports.

Basebal21

@craig44 said:

@Basebal21 said:

@craig44 said:

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

there is a difference between difficult and physically demanding. yes, Catcher is very physically demanding, but in no way is it more difficult than playing QB. I could make an argument that QB is also more physically demanding than playing catcher. there are games where a QB comes out fairly clean, but then there are those games with 6 sacks and 13 QB hits. I can promise that QB is feeling more physical impact on the next day than any catcher.

I would say difficult and physically demanding are different ways of saying the same thing. Theyre both the hardest spots to play on the field for sure for those two sports. Its certainty not fun getting blindsided by a 280 pound edge rusher, but often times that is because the line let the QB down. The strain of a catcher happens no matter what. They basically all end up with bad knees and have changed how they set up from it. A couple years from now I could change my mind and think the two are close, but when you have catchers squatting for more than two weeks of their life in terms of hours a year its a brutal position to play

I would disagree with "difficult" and "physically demanding" being different ways of saying the same thing.

Nose Tackle is a very physically demanding position. it is not necessarily "difficult" in that you do not need to be a Rhodes scholar to successfully decode playing the position

Quarterback is very difficult. especially when an especially complicated offensive scheme is being implemented. It can also be VERY physically demanding according to how well your OL plays and how effective the defense plays.

Another way. Endurance running is extremely physically demanding. it is not that difficult as it is simply a repetitive motion with very little intellectual output. Same with powerlifting and many other individual sports.

Using the DT example, its difficult. You dont need to be a Rhodes scholar to excel at positions. You have to have the size and a lot of strength to play DT. Theres more to it than just running forward too. They might not have the most complex schemes on the field but they are reading things

Anything psychically demanding is difficult. You have to put in a lot of work to be able to meet the psychical requirements for strength/endurance and in some cases also have to be psychically gifted with the size to do so.

perkdog

@Basebal21 said:

@perkdog said:

@Basebal21 said:
Catcher with QB a close second. Great lines and weapons can elevate a QB, catchers just sit there in a squats for hours a day from February to October. They then have to go work on hitting which is why very few of them can hit and the majority that can get moved to a new position.

Hockey goalie is very hard as well for major sports. The only difference between catcher, QB, ice hockey goalie, is that catcher isnt dependent on anyone else. Baseball is an individual team sport, the worse the pitcher is the longer the catcher is out there. The rules have been changed a lot, but a lot of stolen bases are more on the pitcher than the catcher. Theres really no help back there and no way for a team to elevate someone.

I didn't think of the Catcher position and although it's tough it's not even close to the snap thinking you need to do in a few second window like a QB though, sure you have help but you still need to.have eyes on both sides of your head while you are scanning the field trying not to get steamrolled

Game time decisions I can buy that. Catchers used to have to call all the pitches but now that has been changing. The difference for me is the individual vs team aspect. A QB with a great line and good weapons will have a nice season, a bad line will not be fun for a QB. Catchers whether good or bad will have to be there and spend the most hours by far learning pitchers pitches and trying to work on their hitting as well. The longer MLB season or college season than the NFL or College is also a lot more stress overall. For the most part a QB could take a more brutal injury on a single play, but the catcher will take more long term stress on the knees. Blocking a 100 mph pitch or having a foul tip to the head also isnt fun at all.

It makes sense, catcher is a grueling position day in and day out for sure, it's definitely up there

LandrysFedora

I will say a different answer here. A hockey goalie is one tough position to play in my opinion. Heavy padding/equipment to wear, 90 plus mph shots flying in at you, occasionally getting slammed into by opponents and friendly fire from teammates too. I have personally never done it but it looks really tough.

coolstanley

Covering a receiver is the hardest thing to do in football and its not really even close.