Many of us grow up dreaming of emulating Michael Jordan’s slam dunk or a winning tennis serve like Novak Djokovic’s, but a new list shows that our chances of success are greater if we choose a sport that matches our height. The list below is based on one Analysis by Casino Kingssuggests that some sports strongly favor athletes who fit within a certain height range, meaning that the sports we naturally excel at may be less about personal choice when choosing a discipline and more about fitting into the height patterns that dominate the chosen sport.
Average height of athletes in the world’s biggest sport
- Basketball: 6’7″ (2.01m)
- American football and rugby: 6’2″ (1.88m)
- Tennis: 6’1″ (1.85m)
- Football: 5’11.5″ (1.82m)
- Golf: 5’11.5″ (1.82m)
- Cricket: 5’11” (1.81m)
- MMA: 5’10.5″ (1.79m)
- Race (F1): 5’10» (1.78m)
- Gymnastics: 5’3″ (1.60m)
- Horse racing: 5’2» (1.57m)
The science behind the benefits of altitude in sports performance
Basketball: Not surprisingly, basketball players stand comfortably as the tallest athletes in major sports, reaching an average height of 6’7″ (2.01m). Of course, height plays a central role in performance both offensively and defensively. Tall people enjoy the advantage of reaching, blocking, and shooting over opponents. Jordan, however, is 6’6″ (1.98m).
American Football and Rugby: These players are ranked second with a typical height of 6′ 2″ (1.88 m). Of course, height is especially valuable in offensive and defensive positions, but players must also mix their size and strength with patience.
Tennis: Did you know that most tennis players are above average height? Typically, they stand around 6’1″ (1.85m). This stipulation of the game; powerful tennis players makes perfect sense, as height often relates to serving power and wide reach across the court. One of the greatest players of all time, Novak Djokovic is 6’2″ (1.88m).
Football: Players in this sport are close to the global average height of 5’11.5″ (1.82m), with a wide range of body types depending on team position. Goalkeepers and central defenders tend to be above average, while midfielders and forwards vary in style and role.
Golf: The average golfer is 5’11.5″ (1.82 m) tall, and while height may have a slight effect on swing and swing mechanics, it does not determine success at the elite level in the same way that it does in other disciplines, especially when compared to contact sports.
Cricket: With an average height of 5’11” (1.81 m), there is a clear variation depending on role and style of play. Fast bowlers are often taller and use extra height to generate bounce, angle and leverage off the pitch, while batsmen and bowlers may rely more on timing, control and agility.
MMA: Mixed martial artists tend to be slightly below the average height among elite sports at 5’10.5″ (1.79 m). Height is less common in combat sports, as weights often make a real difference.
Competition: Formula 1 drivers were found to be slightly shorter than the average for the major sports, coming in at 5’10” (1.78 m). Lewis Hamilton is shorter at 5’7″ (1.74m), but being slightly shorter in racing may have been an advantage due to the narrowness of the car’s designs and concerns about weight.
Gymnastics: Here, athletes are on the shorter end of the elite athletic spectrum, and the average gymnast is around 5’3″ (1.60m). A more compact frame supports faster turns, tighter control and greater stability on all apparatus such as floor, bars and beam.
Horse racing: Jockeys averaged about 5’2″ (1.57 m) tall and were among the shortest competitors in professional sports due to the strict weight requirements that directly affect race ability and performance.
So there you have it, if you want to succeed in basketball, rugby or American football, you may need some serious legs, but no matter what your height, there is still a sport for you.
