My grading system is based on three categories, endurance, physicality and skill. Each category is scored on a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest, making each sports overall score out of 30.
#11 Golf
Endurance: 4
Playing hours and hours, not to mention consecutive days, can definitely be taxing.
Physicality: 0
Golf is not a contact sport for those who don't know.
Skill: 10
Hitting a small ball hundreds of yards, dodging obstacles, just to sink it in a small hole. Not easy.
Overall Score: 14
SEE ALSO: 11 Struggles Of Athletes On Long Bus Rides
#10 Tennis
Endurance: 9
Constant change in speed and direction as well as repeated swinging at high velocity.
Physicality: 0
No contact.
Skill: 8
Placing the ball exactly where you want it with speed to beat your opponent definitely requires practice.
Overall: 17
#9 Baseball
Endurance: 4
It requires endurance just to watch these games
Physicality: 4
Catchers aren't lighting baserunners up at the plate anymore but there is still sliding, diving, and collisions between players.
Skill: 9
Trying to hit a ball accurately in the time it takes to blink an eye definitely earns a 9/10 in the skill category.
Overall: 17
#8 Swimming
Endurance: 10
If you're questioning this I challenge you to go to a swim practice and suit up.
Physicality: 0
Non-contact sport
Skill: 8
Yes, swimming requires a high degree of skill because you have to move through the water as efficiently as possible.
Overall: 18
#7 Basketball
Endurance: 8
You have to be in pretty good shape to run up and down the court with very little breaks for a whole game.
Physicality: 6
There's no tackling but you can still set screens and make contact with opponents
Skill: 10
Dribbling and shooting justify this skill rating
Overall: 24
#6 Football
Endurance: 7
There are short breaks between every play but after the ball is snapped it's all out exertion.
Physicality: 10
Play doesn't stop until someone is on the ground and its not like you're being hit with pillows.
Skill: 7
Memorization, throwing, catching, tackling, blocking. Take your pick.
Overall: 24
#5 Lacrosse
Endurance: 8
Not many breaks and a lot of running
Physicality: 8
Another sport played with pads so you know you're going to get hit.
Skill: 9
Even just passing the ball in a game situation requires a good amount of skill
Overall: 25
#4 Soccer
Endurance: 10
You cover a distance of MILES running around the pitch. Not to mention limited substitutions and changing of pace.
Physicality: 8
Yes sometimes there are flops but more often then not its tough physical play.
Skill: 8
The beautiful game requires a huge amount of coordination and skillful feet.
Overall: 26
#3 Rugby
Endurance: 10
Constant running.
Physicality: 10
Absolutely brutal.
Skill: 7
Limited passing options but still requires a certain skill.
Overall: 27
#2 Hockey
Endurance: 9
The amount of force that is repeatedly put on the legs during skating is ridiculous.
Physicality: 10
Theres a reason why a lot of hockey players don't have all of their teeth.
Skill: 8
Everything is harder on ice.
Overall: 27
SEE ALSO: To The Coach That Killed My Passion
#1 Water Polo
Endurance: 10
Swimming/wrestling in water. Meaning you can't always breathe. And someone is trying to drown you so you have to keep your head above water.
Physicality: 10
If the refs don't see anything, its legal.
Skill: 8
This is another one of those ratings where if you disagree, I encourage you to try it out for yourself.
Overall: 28
