Baseball, Football, Basketball...which sport does coaching matters the most/least?

Question

I've been arguing with my friend about this all month. We both seem to agree that coaching matters the most in football. But I think it matters less in basketball and more in baseball. Can you help us settle our argument?

Which of these three U.S. major sports do coaching matter the most and least?

PLEASE STATE YOUR REASONS.

Answer 1

An interesting question.

Let's see -- if you just grabbed 22 guys and tried to play football, it probably would be pretty ugly. So some sort of structure is necessary. Therefore, you'd have to say coaching of some sort is necessary.

I would put basketball at the other end. The game is almost jazz-like in terms of improvisation. The guys are constantly adapting to what's happening in front of them. The coaches try to control as much of the game as possible, but in reality they watch their teams skid down the road on ice, on the edge of control.

I'd put baseball in the middle. It's a difficult game so that pitching and batting tips from coaches are very useful, and managers have some input on how the game is played (lineup, in-game decisions like stolen bases, etc.). But it's not rocket science in some ways.

Answer 2

I'd say football requires the most coaching. I've seen player coaches in Basketball but never in football. Also Football requires a ton of substitutions every game that you don't get in Baseball.

Answer 3

My opinion is football and the main reason is the amount of players to deal with. They have the largest rosters among the 3 sports mentioned and have more assistants to deal with. Most injuries to contend with and then of course.....the attitudes of those around them. I could keep going on but I think you know what I mean.

The least would be basketball. Not because of reverse of the above mentioned but basketball takes less to prepare for. There are only so many ways you can dunk/pass/ jumpshot/free throw a ball.

Answer 4

In all pro sports it doesn't matter all the coach are high price cheer leaders. You can't Coach egos that make 10 to 20 times the money that you do and be taken seriously.