Is Checking Like Dunking?

Think about this question before answering it, knowing that it has something to do with skill, gender, progression, and fitness among many. Only give a "yes" or "no" answer. There no "it could but..." answers allowed:

Is checking in a sport such as ice hockey like dunking in a sport such as basketball?

My answer is...No.

These are two totally different skills with similar aggression potentials. However, they both change their respected sports differently. Let's start with the aggression:

Men's basketball has numerous dunks versus women's basketball. Men's ice hockey allows checking; whereas, women's hockey does not. A thunderous dunk gets applause and many "oohs" and "aahs". A simple dunk gets a clap. A thunderous check gets roars of cheers and glass banging. A routine check gets a few claps and one "yea!" Both of them strike some sort of defense mechanism in opposing players. Both skills give an advantage to the delivering team. An athlete needs leg power and strength to issue both skills. Both skills get the crowd, teammates, coaches, and commentators involved. Basketball, at least, allows dunking in both men's and women's levels. However, does the lack of dunking in women's basketball and the restriction of checking in women's ice hockey demean the sport?

Let's look at the change:

OK, fine. There is very little dunking in women's basketball. Britney Griner of the WNBA seems to be the only one who can dunk whenever she wants to do it. It does not mean that other women will not rise to the occasion. Of course, Griner is 6'8" with a large wing span. But, there have been other women who are as tall or just  a little bit shorter. If there are female high jumpers who can thrust their entire body 6+ feet into the air...their entire body....then I am advocating for more dunks in women's basketball. There is no such thing as saying: women cannot dunk because they do not have the leg power. Does not exist! Train it.

The ice hockey story on checking. Checking is vicious and can deliver concussions. Got it! So, let's say checking will never enter women's ice hockey. What is left? A lot of things. Speed up other skills. Spectators like skills. As I observe the number of people who attend women's ice hockey games, it is enough to drop a pin or a pen and everyone in the arena will hear it. I am not exaggerating. However, there are some highly skilled female hockey players out here who make men gasp for oxygen on the ice. Watch the 2014 Sochi Olympics in February. So, yes, arenas fill up at men's hockey events to see big hits, fighting, speed, hard shots, and fantastic goals. You can see three out of the five at women's games...due to what is written in the rules!

Basically, in order to change a sport you need to train it. Train skills that enhance the sport. It may take longer for certain skill levels and genders due to our genetic make up! But, coaches and specialists are making strides all of the time.

The arousal level caused by a check of dunk is typically high.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS         www.teempt.com           TEEM Performance Training