Which is more dangerous – hockey or football? It’s a question that’s been asked for years, and the answer may surprise you. While hockey has always been considered a game of danger, more recently football has risen in popularity and now ranks as the most dangerous sports. Let’s take a look at the stats and see what’s happening.
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Increased Scoring And More Fights
When comparing the overall danger of hockey and football, the first thing that comes to mind is the fights that take place on the ice. As we all know, hockey is a game that’s highly intense and can lead to some pretty amazing explosions. It’s not uncommon for fights to break out among the players during a game, and it’s not unusual for them to last more than 10 minutes. With all the hits that are thrown around, there’s a lot of opportunity for players to be injured. One of the reasons why hockey is considered dangerous is because of this high rate of injuries and accidents. Let’s take a look at this year’s stats and see how things have changed over the years.
Hockey Has Lifted Its Game
This year both the Stanley Cup and the regular season were won by teams that played a fast paced, up-tempo game. That being said, the games were a lot safer than previous years. In 2018, there were only 10 major injuries rated as “severe or catastrophic” which is the fewest in years. While many hockey players would love to play a safer game, the reality is that in order to be successful, hockey teams have to rely on speed and skill. The stats back this up as well, with the average NHL player going over 20 regular season games this year. This number has steadily increased over the years and is likely attributed to improved training and conditioning methods. Another way to look at the changes in hockey play is using advanced stats like Corsi and Fenwick. These numbers measure a team’s shot and goal differential while taking into account all the situations and plays over the course of a game. This is a big reason why coaches, trainers, and executives are beginning to see hockey not as a game of risk but as one of skill and maneuverability.
Football Has Ranks As The Most Dangerous Sport
It took a while for football to rise in popularity and grab the number one spot on the list of most dangerous sports. That being said, it’s finally here, as the 2018 season has proven to be one of the most dangerous in the history of the game. Let’s take a quick tour through the past year and see just how and why football is more dangerous than hockey.
Dangerous Football Ranks High On The List
The list of most dangerous sports is generally a list of sports that most people are familiar with. We’ll probably all agree that the 2018 season was one of the most deadly in the history of the game. The only sports that came close were speed skating and hockey in the 1930s. The most common causes of injuries and accidents in football are blocking, tackling, and taking a hit from a punt. The contact that takes place on a football field is significantly more violent and dangerous than that of a hockey rink. It’s not hard to understand why as the average player is larger and heavier than that of a hockey player, and significantly faster as well.
The most dangerous aspect of football is that it is a collision sport. There’s always someone around the corner waiting to collide with you, and since there are no breaks in the action, it can lead to serious injuries. Even more serious are cases where players are injured or killed because their heads hit the ground before their bodies even know what hit them. While playing a football game may not be as dangerous as playing hockey, the reality is that it’s fast-paced and violent enough that anyone could get injured or killed if they aren’t careful. If you’re looking for a sport that’s dangerous but easier to understand, look no further than football.