Is there a such thing a 'heart' in sports?

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: Is there a such thing a 'heart' in sports?

Nah he just lacks a good pair of knees.


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1 good heart > 2 good knees

[23]

Re: Is there a such thing a 'heart' in sports?

It's actually a valid question that makes you think because it's a term used so much in sports.

I think there is a such thing as having a heart for or desire for a result. You can have a strong desire to win, which makes you give it your all, or put an emphasis on a specific thing, most likely driving you to action.

Might not manifest in the same way as a more talented guy for example, although those are the ones who get all of the credit for it, but in many ways it's difficult to make it in pro sports and remain there for a long time without the desire.

Sure there are a few guys that have all the talent and physical tools to be there, even a great IQ and they blow it and seem to not care, but that number is low in comparison to the former.

...and I agree with the post that says you'll never get the same answer. Sometimes sports are too subjective, opinions change too much (especially in the what have you done for me lately generation)

[Rocky]

Re: Is there a such thing a 'heart' in sports?

I'm I the only one that finds it funny that a poster named Rocky says there's no heart in sports?

We are about to see a lot of it in the Olympics. I sure see a lot of it in fighting too.

Haha man touche there. I think I was getting at more what 23 was getting at. It's such an overused term and I really wanted to get thoughts on what it really means.

I think heart is more of the ability to overcome tough conditions more than anything. But again training helps you there too.

[Blzer]

Re: Is there a such thing a 'heart' in sports?

To me, a good general definition of "heart in sports" would be "playing toward belief in an optimistic outcome for your team against all odds, despite what is asked of you."

There are many athletes who display this kind of heart day in and day out, and there are many who don't. They would rather look cool, get their paycheck, be selfish, or not instill as much faith in something instead of showing a little more heart.

And yes, I'm being that extreme towards those who don't give me some genuine passion for what it is they are doing out there. You're listening to a guy who doesn't know what it means to play "heartless." I've done it my whole life in every sport that I play (primarily baseball), and I didn't do it so others could acknowledge that I'm playing with heart, I do it because that's my belief in how the game should be played.

If I'm in center field and there is a routine single hit straight to the left fielder, I'm backing that dude up. If I hit a shot that might go over the fence, I'm not breaking speed for one second if in case it doesn't go over. The same with being a baserunner when there are two outs and a fly ball is hit. If I injure myself on a play, I'm going to keep my adrenaline in line for the next few seconds so I can at the very least kill the play. If I break my right arm, I'll toss it to somebody else or throw it with my left arm. These moments get recognized when they go for you, and they are important for the sake of your team.

This is especially important in baseball (and softball) because there is no time limit, and you are always rewarded for good offense with more offensive opportunities. No comeback is impossible, just perhaps improbable. But if it has happened before, you always have to remind yourself that it can happen again.

There is definitely heart in sports, and I have been at the butt-end of teammates and players that I coach who do not have it. It's unfortunate when you're with somebody who cheers on a day that practice is canceled due to rain, or is caught off-guard with an "I assumed that (insert action here) was going to happen" and not being in the right place at that crucial time. We are only gifted for so long with what we can do in sports, and we should play them because they are fun... so go out there and have fun maximizing your abilities!

Now, I don't think "heart" coincides with "miracles," which those occur few and far between. I have been at the helm of one miraculous event myself, but that's saved for a different thread altogether.

EDIT: Ironically, this is where I think most sports movies falter (even the ones based on true stories), which is why I'm generally not as in love with them. They all seem to come from this cheesy fantasy notion of like...



... which is not exactly the same thing as what I mean when I make mention of "heart."

[LingeringRegime]

Re: Is there a such thing a 'heart' in sports?

Watch the first Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard Fight.

That is the first thing that comes to mind when the term "heart in sports" is used.