Height in sports

[4] In American and Canadian Football, a tall quarterback is at an advantage because it is easier for him to see over the heads of large offensive and defensive linemen while he is in the pocket in a passing situation.

By contrast, shorter defensive backs are utilized because of their typically greater agility, as the ability to change directions instantly is a prerequisite for the position.

Short running backs are at an advantage because their shorter stature and lower center of gravity generally makes them harder to tackle effectively.

A sample of reasonably select players from ages 11–18 in the United States tended to approximate the height distribution of the population.

Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Robert Lewandowski and Zinedine Zidane 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in), with their height being seen as an advantage for their heading and physical ability, adding to their completeness, are desired for modern top-level forward and midfielder positions.

Goalkeepers tend to be taller than average because their greater arm spans and total reach when jumping enable them to cover more of the goal area.

Shorter players may have an advantage in the "crumbing" role of retrieving the ball from the ground or utilising pace, power and bulk to evade opponents.

However taller players may also have these abilities and as such versatile talls (over 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) for example Trent Cotchin, Chris Judd, Jimmy Bartel, Dustin Martin and Patrick Dangerfield) are often favoured by professional recruiters (such as in the AFL draft) for ball-winning, midfield and crumbing forward (forward pocket) roles that would have in the past been more suited to shorter players.

[15][16][17] At 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) Aaron Sandilands, Mason Cox and Peter Street equal the tallest players to have played in the AFL.

[23] The tallest professional baseball player in history was Loek van Mil, a Dutch pitcher who stood 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m).

Taller players who do not pitch have customarily been assigned to play first base because, according to traditional wisdom, they create larger targets and could stretch farther to receive throws from infielders.

Prospects may exaggerate their height while in high school or college to make themselves more appealing to coaches and scouts, who prefer taller players.

Players who had their listed heights revised downwards include, Dwight Howard, Bradley Beal, J.J. Barea, Kemba Walker and numerous others.

Heights above 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) are uncommon in open class bodybuilding and virtually nonexistent in 212, but are common in the classic physique division which emphasizes structure and aesthetics.

In open bodybuilding height is often considered a disadvantage due to the fact that smaller bodies are better filled out compared to taller builds at the same weight.

Although there are fewer tall batsmen, the stand-outs are often noted for their heavy hitting and an ability to get a long stride forward to reach a full length delivery.

On the other hand, many of the most successful fast bowlers have been well above average height; for example Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Joel Garner were all over 1.97 m (6 ft 5+1⁄2 in) tall.

Their higher power to weight ratio and endurance are the characteristics needed to perform well in long mountain stages that determine the final standings.

Tall people have a greater arm span, which allows one's weapon to reach one's opponent's body from a further distance, mostly affecting their range of Lunge.

It is important to remark that tall people height advantage is mitigated in sabre and foil, because those weapons have Right of Way rules.

Épée, where tall height poses a more distinct advantage, since the entire body is a target and it does not have Right of Way rules.

It must be added that regardless of height, all blades have a standard length, therefore the zone of where the point could land to mark is the same for everyone, but as noted before, the range of effectiveness of attacks is superior on tall people.

Foil has notorious examples of world average height 1.71 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in) fencers who have competed at the highest levels and won significant competitions.

Having a jockey who is of short stature and light weight makes it easier for the horse to run at top speed without being weighed down.

While the history of the National Hockey League (NHL) is filled with shorter players who achieved greatness (Theoren Fleury, Martin St. Louis), and the highest scorer in NHL history, Wayne Gretzky, is 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) tall and played at 185 lb (84 kg), the physicality of the game has often put a premium on imposing players, particularly over 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) tall and over 100 kg (220 lb) (Chris Pronger, Eric Lindros, Mario Lemieux).

For example, the guard, notwithstanding tactics and technique, generally favours longer limbs although a shorter body is easier to defend.

Most of the successful Olympic and Paralympic coxswains (Katelin Guregian, Phelan Hill) are shorter in stature and lighter in mass hitting close to the international minimum at 55 kg for both men and women's crews (Both genders have adopted 55 kg by an amendment by FISA to make coxswains gender-neutral on the international level.

In rugby union, lineout jumpers, generally locks, are usually the tallest players, as this increases their chance of winning the ball, whereas scrum-halves are usually nearer the average.

However, being tall can have some disadvantages, such as difficulty bending down to reach low volleys or striking shots close to the abdomen, as well as generally slower movement and defensive skills.

Volleyball is a mixture of speed, skills, and tactics, a typical team consist of players of varying height to cater for the specific roles required.