Most young athletes are taught the same basic formula for reaching the professional level: become bigger, faster, stronger, and more skilled than everyone else. While possessing those skills certainly help, there are other less thought of ways to make it to the pros. Sometimes the fastest way to the highest level in sports is not becoming the best all-around athlete, it is instead becoming exceptionally good at one rare, valuable skill that very few other people possess. In other words, you do not always have to be the superstar, you just have to be difficult to replace.
Unique ways to go far in sports
Baseball provides one of the clearest examples of how to accelerate chances to making it to the big leagues. Left-handed pitchers are always in demand because they create difficult matchups, especially against left-handed hitters. A right-handed pitcher may need overwhelming velocity or multiple excellent pitches to stand out, but a left-hander with decent control, movement, and the ability to get left-handed hitters out may receive opportunities simply because fewer athletes can fill that role.
The same idea applies to a knuckleball pitcher.
A pitcher who can consistently throw a quality knuckleball does not need to light up the radar gun. This unique pitch moves unpredictably, frustrates hitters, and places relatively little stress on the arm. Because the knuckleball is difficult to throw well, and often unpredictable even for pitchers who throw it regularly, it is a very difficult pitch to master.
Changing gears to look at football and perhaps no position better demonstrates the value of specialization than long snapper. Most people overlook the significant role and specific duties of the long snapper:
- Snaps the ball on punts and field goals.
- Rarely appears in highlights.
- Is barely noticed when doing the job correctly…
- But becomes very noticeable when something goes wrong by means of a fumble or snap that goes far over the punter’s head!
It may not be glamorous, but every NFL team needs someone who can deliver a perfect snap under pressure. Because the skill is so specialized, good long snappers can enjoy remarkably long careers.
Kickers and punters offer similar opportunities. Some began as soccer players and found that their kicking ability translated into football. A player who cannot block, tackle, or catch may still make a professional roster if he can reliably kick a football through the uprights from 50+ yards away.
Other unusual paths to professional sports
Many sports contain positions or roles that reward athletes with highly specific abilities:
- Basketball: A three-point specialist can build a long career without being an elite scorer in other areas, or even being a good defender.
- Hockey: A player who consistently wins faceoffs may provide value beyond traditional statistics. Similarly, a tough fighting defender might play a long time for his ability to intimidate opponents.
- Lacrosse: Some players specialize almost entirely in taking faceoffs.
- Volleyball: The libero does not need exceptional height but must be an outstanding passer and defender.
- Soccer: A player who excels at free kicks, corner kicks, or long throw-ins can become extremely valuable.
- Baseball: A defensive catcher may remain in the lineup because of pitch framing, game calling, and controlling the running game—even with a modest batting average.
Final thoughts
Of course, none of these unique paths means becoming a professional athlete is easy. A rare skill, such as being a great long snapper, still requires years of practice, discipline, and consistency. But there is an important lesson here for young athletes, parents, and coaches. The goal should not always be to turn every athlete into the biggest star on the field. Rather, it may be more valuable to identify what that athlete does differently—and then develop it.
drstankovich.com
