SJ's are best at sports

[MMarcus]

I think that Si users tend to make the best athletes. They are the best at organized sports. They made up the majority of your high school football and basketball teams. Most people would probably believe that SP's are the best athletes because they use extraverted sensing but from what I have observed they arent. SP's might do skateboarding or something. NJ's and NP's might play tennis or run cross country. The reason SJ's are good at sports is that introverted sensing is good at living in the moment. Si doesnt just remember facts and memories but is super in tune with the body. This results in good coordination. When Si users receive instructions for a play those instructions are always in the back of their mind which allows them to carry it out successfully.

 

[Synthetix]

I whooped all the ESTJ's in track and wrestling, but I know some ISTP's who are great athletes. Maybe I just hate SJs, but I became very competitive around them.

 

[own8ge]

For professional fighters, INFJ is most dominant. Same counts for Basketball, baseball and probably a shitload more.

Ni is that what remembers tactic. Ni is that what remember physics. Ni is that what calculates all possibilities within a matter of second. INFJ is utmost aware of bodily movement and it's impact on reality.

Besides, Si just... Has very little to do with sports as compared to Ni.

And yes, some SPs are great athletes. But most are NJs. Se as either your 3rd or 4th function means that it will be used more beneficially. It will be used in the form of tactic and purpose. If Pe (Ne or Se) is the first or second function, then it just... Is more of a bother than benefit if you would contrast it to sports... (with a few exceptions of course)

 

[MMarcus]

For professional fighters, INFJ is most dominant. Same counts for Basketball, baseball and probably a shitload more.

Ni is that what remembers tactic. Ni is that what remember physics. Ni is that what calculates all possibilities within a matter of second. INFJ is utmost aware of bodily movement and it's impact on reality.

Besides, Si just... Has very little to do with sports as compared to Ni.

Si lives in the moment more than Ni. Si is aware of anything affecting their senses and knows what the stimulus is from there memory. Ni calculates possiblities and makes connections but is not good at carrying them out.

 

[own8ge]

Si lives in the moment more than Ni. Si is aware of anything affecting their senses and knows what the stimulus is from there memory. Ni calculates possiblities and makes connections but is not good at carrying them out.

This couldn't be farther from the truth.

Si is detached from the senses. Ni is in touch with the senses. Whenever muscular movements are being made purposefully and synch with thought, this is per definition Ni. (Ni-Se)
The introversion of the senses, is Ni. Not Si. (Just as the introversion of social awareness (Fe) is Ti.)

I will repeat... Professional fighters are flooded with INFJs. (55 percent or so is INFJ. 15 percent or so is ENFJ. 10 percent or so is ISFJ.)

 

[Synthetix]

I slammed an infj to the mat once, never saw him at an in season match.

 

[own8ge]

I slammed an infj to the mat once, never saw him at an in season match.

Good for you!

 

[MMarcus]

This couldn't be farther from the truth.

Si is detached from the senses. Ni is in touch with the senses. Whenever muscular movements are being made purposefully and synch with thought, this is per definition Ni. (Ni-Se)
The introversion of the senses, is Ni. Not Si. (Just as the introversion of social awareness (Fe) is Ti.)

I will repeat... Professional fighters are flooded with INFJs. (55 percent or so is INFJ. 15 percent or so is ENFJ. 10 percent or so is ISFJ.)

I realized you said INFJs are commonly professional fighters(even though 55% sounds a little high...).INFJ's might be prevalent in professional fighting but i can assure you SJ's are still the majority in the majority of organized sports.

I will repeat. Si users are quick to pick up on any stimuli that they take in through the senses. They know what this stimulus is from past experience. Ni is progressive and is not as good as Si at living in the moment. thats why SJ's are better at sports.

Also your claim that "INFJ is most dominant. Same counts for Basketball, baseball and probably a shitload more. "

could not be further from the truth...

 

[Ink]

INTPs are best at sports!

 

[own8ge]

I realized you said INFJs are commonly professional fighters(even though 55% sounds a little high...) 55 sounds a little low, I was being minimalistic. .INFJ's might be prevalent in professional fighting but i can assure you SJ's are still the majority in the majority of organized sports. Perhaps in sports. But not professional sports.

I will repeat. Si users are quick to pick up on any stimuli that they take in through the senses. NO! This is Ni. They know what this stimulus is from past experience. No. Ni is progressive and is not as good as Si at living in the moment. Absolutely false. thats why SJ's are better at sports. You make no sense. I'm sorry.

Also your claim that "INFJ is most dominant. Same counts for Basketball, baseball and probably a shitload more. " Ah yeah this sentence makes sense.

could not be further from the truth... Educate yourself then we will talk.

You are ridiculous. Sorry.

 

[Ink]

own8ge, 55% of professional fighters consisting of a personality type that is 1% of the population IS pretty ridiculous. Can you back this up with anything?

 

[redbaron]

It depends on the sport.

Tennis for example is dominated by ISTP's - it's 1 on 1 and is based very highly on physical and mental endurance (and exertion) and is quite solitary compared to other sports. Because it's so physically and strategically demanding it's really an outstanding sport for the TiSe pair.

Similarly fighting sports like boxing etc. are very internally focussed and success is predicated on individual fitness and skill. Fighting is incredibly adaptive, and at an elite level it's very dominated by intuitives.

In team sports there's a much bigger mix (obviously), but it's not 'dominated' by SJ types. It still varies a lot from sport to sport.

If anything, it's NiSe users (regardless of placement in the stack) who are most often seen at elite levels in sports. Ni is the pattern seeker, it identifies and understands strategy with little effort, and Se is the workhorse.

Seems like you're really just looking at team sports, which aren't the only sports at all. Really the best way to determine this would be to identify the most popular sports (football, basketball, hockey(?), tennis etc.) in the world, then determine the types of the top50 players of each.

And why are you citing high school teams anyway? I wasn't aware that high schoolers were considered the best. Shouldn't we be referring to the actual elite? Something like:

Basketball - NBA/Euroleague
Soccer - German/Spanish A league, or maybe even go by the Champions League qualifiers
Tennis - Top50 ranked
Hockey - KHL/NHL

own8ge, 55% of professional fighters consisting of a personality type that is 1% of the population IS pretty ridiculous. Can you back this up with anything?

I'm pretty sure that the percentages given on sites for their population make-up is based on an American consensus. They're to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[MMarcus]

You are ridiculous. Sorry.

Im sorry i dont understand why my arguments dont make sense. and your arguments about Ni users being good at sports its awful. but ive procrastinated sleep for too long i have to get up in 3 hours so gnight.

 

[Ink]

I'm pretty sure that the percentages given on sites for their population make-up is based on an American consensus. They're to be taken with a grain of salt.

From my personal observations INFJs are definitely one of the rarer types, so it's not far from the truth... Anyways I have seen a lot of INTPs in soccer

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

SJs? It doesn't make sense, nor does the whole "Si users are in the moment" thing. Se is in the moment while Si is in the past. No doubt SJs are on sports teams en masse, especially in high school, but that doesn't mean they're good, but that sports scratch a traditional itchy spot in their psyche, one that allows them so say "back in my varsity days on the football team" when they're in their 40s. SJs might make good quarterbacks and O-lineman, but 90% of the rest of the team college level and beyond....

I'm also surprised no one is considering the role of tertiary Ni in Se-doms, which is what I think Own8ge is seeing.

 

[Architect]

I think that Si users tend to make the best athletes. They are the best at organized sports. They made up the majority of your high school football and basketball teams. Most people would probably believe that SP's are the best athletes because they use extraverted sensing but from what I have observed they arent. SP's might do skateboarding or something. NJ's and NP's might play tennis or run cross country. The reason SJ's are good at sports is that introverted sensing is good at living in the moment. Si doesnt just remember facts and memories but is super in tune with the body. This results in good coordination. When Si users receive instructions for a play those instructions are always in the back of their mind which allows them to carry it out successfully.

OK, makes sense, but why are INTP's with Si in the tertiary generally the worst at organized sports? Se secondary ISTP's are quite good at sports too.

 

[Ink]

OK, makes sense, but why are INTP's with Si in the tertiary generally the worst at organized sports? Se secondary ISTP's are quite good at sports too.

Who says INTPs are the worst at sports? That's not true at all...

 

[Obsidian]

INFJs are not athletes. Whoever says they are is simply bad at typing.

 

[redbaron]

I'm also surprised no one is considering the role of tertiary Ni in Se-doms, which is what I think Own8ge is seeing.

If anything, it's NiSe users (regardless of placement in the stack) who are most often seen at elite levels in sports. Ni is the pattern seeker, it identifies and understands strategy with little effort, and Se is the workhorse.

Just saying.

To be honest I don't think that was own8ge's point though, seems like he just really wants to feel like a special snowflake since he considers himself INFJ.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Just saying.

To be honest I don't think that was own8ge's point though, seems like he just really wants to feel like a special snowflake since he considers himself INFJ.

Whoops. Your response wasn't there when I was typing...

(Yes, it really does take me that long. I have more tabs open than I have fingers.)

I still think he's confusing Ni with Ni-dom.

 

[Analyzer]

I prefer individual/solo sports, where I can freely act how i want. Surfing, skateboarding, running, working out in general

 

[Beat Mango]

Maybe sports are dominated by the physically apt? Ffs

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Maybe sports are dominated by the physically apt? Ffs

That's far too reductionist for a thread like this!

(Glad you're back btw.)

 

[pjoa09]

hanh.

A genetical aptitude for the particular sport and Se as primary or secondary.

i.e : Michael Jordan

nuff said.

SJs as best in sports? dafuqisusmokin. Si is some traditionalist sentimental nostalgia. Keep them where you want things to be the same.

 

[Architect]

Who says INTPs are the worst at sports? That's not true at all...

I said organized sports, i.e. team sports. INTPs almost universally dislike them.

 

[Paladin-X]

I think that Si users tend to make the best athletes. They are the best at organized sports. They made up the majority of your high school football and basketball teams. Most people would probably believe that SP's are the best athletes because they use extraverted sensing but from what I have observed they arent. SP's might do skateboarding or something. NJ's and NP's might play tennis or run cross country. The reason SJ's are good at sports is that introverted sensing is good at living in the moment. Si doesnt just remember facts and memories but is super in tune with the body. This results in good coordination. When Si users receive instructions for a play those instructions are always in the back of their mind which allows them to carry it out successfully.

I think Sensors in general are probably better at sports. Si is about aesthetic impression. Se is actually more about living in the moment. Also, statistically speaking out of all the temperaments, SJs are the most predominant, thus the sports teams are also more likely comprised of SJs. However, that does not necessarily make them better, only that there is more of them. This is not to say that SJs are worse at sports than SPs.

For professional fighters, INFJ is most dominant. Same counts for Basketball, baseball and probably a shitload more.

That is a grotesque statistical improbability.

Ni is that what remembers tactic. Ni is that what remember physics. Ni is that what calculates all possibilities within a matter of second. INFJ is utmost aware of bodily movement and it's impact on reality.

Besides, Si just... Has very little to do with sports as compared to Ni.

Ni is the furthest from reality. :P Ni is about symbolic possibilities, not physical tactical ability. That falls within the realm of Se-Ti. INFJ has Se in inferior, which means he/she is furthest from aware of bodily movement and its impact on reality.

And yes, some SPs are great athletes. But most are NJs. Se as either your 3rd or 4th function means that it will be used more beneficially. It will be used in the form of tactic and purpose. If Pe (Ne or Se) is the first or second function, then it just... Is more of a bother than benefit if you would contrast it to sports... (with a few exceptions of course)

Not even a little bit. Am I being punk'd? :P

This couldn't be farther from the truth.

Si is detached from the senses. Ni is in touch with the senses. Whenever muscular movements are being made purposefully and synch with thought, this is per definition Ni. (Ni-Se)
The introversion of the senses, is Ni. Not Si. (Just as the introversion of social awareness (Fe) is Ti.)

LOL what?! Si is an abstraction of the senses, it is not detached. Intuition is detached. In fact your entire description of Ni here is so far off. Which definition of Ni are you reading? Please cite your source.

I will repeat... Professional fighters are flooded with INFJs. (55 percent or so is INFJ. 15 percent or so is ENFJ. 10 percent or so is ISFJ.)

Source?

Originally Posted by MMarcus
I realized you said INFJs are commonly professional fighters(even though 55% sounds a little high...) 55 sounds a little low, I was being minimalistic. .INFJ's might be prevalent in professional fighting but i can assure you SJ's are still the majority in the majority of organized sports. Perhaps in sports. But not professional sports.

I will repeat. Si users are quick to pick up on any stimuli that they take in through the senses. NO! This is Ni. They know what this stimulus is from past experience. No. Ni is progressive and is not as good as Si at living in the moment. Absolutely false. thats why SJ's are better at sports. You make no sense. I'm sorry.

Also your claim that "INFJ is most dominant. Same counts for Basketball, baseball and probably a shitload more. " Ah yeah this sentence makes sense.

could not be further from the truth... Educate yourself then we will talk.

Are you an INFJ? If so, this is a good example of Ni being as far off from reality as possible. :P

 

[scorpiomover]

If anything, it's NiSe users (regardless of placement in the stack) who are most often seen at elite levels in sports. Ni is the pattern seeker, it identifies and understands strategy with little effort, and Se is the workhorse.

To some extents, that makes sense. NiSe are NJs. Js want to compete. At the top level, everyone learns all the known stuff. So the guys who are inventing new strategies, would then most probably be Ns.

That's the theory.

It's also probably true of the elites who behave like your typical INTJ or INFJ, who often have great trouble with dealing with coming second-place, even though everyone does sometimes.

However, in practice, it's not that simple. INTJs, who are Ni-doms, reported again and again, that they could not focus on more than one idea at a time.

If you're going to play sports, that's a disaster. Sports requires managing multiple physical situations simultaneously. You can do so unconsciously. But not consciously.

There is another problem. Those who don't like to stick to the new, also show a marked struggle to stick to what they know. So their intuitive solutions, while brilliant, are simply un-repeatable, and give NJs the feeling of one-hit wonders. So you get snooker stars like Jimmy White, who can pull off the most amazing shots, every match. But it's boring players who stick to what they know, and make every shot by doing so, like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, who consistently win the top titles in snooker.

As with many things, one thing that the elite athletes and sports stars have in common, is that they all practised their sport far more than almost everyone else.

 

[Ink]

I said organized sports, i.e. team sports. INTPs almost universally dislike them.

FWIW I played soccer up until about 16 at a pretty serious level, I was almost always the only one in the team that didn't have to sit on the bench during a game. Not saying I was the best in the team but definitely good, and I'm an INTP. I played mid-defender, perhaps there are different positions suiting different personalities better or something, or soccer is an exception... I definitely see a lot of INTPs in the Swedish national soccer team.

 

[Architect]

FWIW I played soccer up until about 16 at a pretty serious level, I was almost always the only one in the team that didn't have to sit on the bench during a game. Not saying I was the best in the team but definitely good, and I'm an INTP. I played mid-defender, perhaps there are different positions suiting different personalities better or something, or soccer is an exception... I definitely see a lot of INTPs in the Swedish national soccer team.

MBTI is a statistical theory without the statistical empirical evidence. So I could be wrong and INTP's do like team sports, or you could be an INTP and like team sports, or you could not be an INTP and like team sports.

 

[Ink]

MBTI is a statistical theory without the statistical empirical evidence. So I could be wrong and INTP's do like team sports, or you could be an INTP and like team sports, or you could not be an INTP and like team sports.

INTPs disliking sports have never been a big part of the personality type description I'm pretty sure though? I see no strong correlation between personality and success in sports personally, I know plenty of ESTPs who have no athletic abilities etc etc...

 

[Architect]

INTPs disliking sports have never been a big part of the personality type description I'm pretty sure though? I see no strong correlation between personality and success in sports personally, I know plenty of ESTPs who have no athletic abilities etc etc...

No it isn't mentioned, maybe because profiles tend to be more about what a type is rather than what it is not. However several I've read have mentioned that INTP's like solo sports such as running, as it afford us time to think.

I've known five for sure INTP's in my life (including myself) who all distinctly dislike team sports. Given that INTP's are lone wolfs I don't think it's a stretch to generalize.

 

[Ink]

No it isn't mentioned, maybe because profiles tend to be more about what a type is rather than what it is not. However several I've read have mentioned that INTP's like solo sports such as running, as it afford us time to think.

I've known five for sure INTP's in my life (including myself) who all distinctly dislike team sports. Given that INTP's are lone wolfs I don't think it's a stretch to generalize.

Well, since I find that very untrue personally I would be against that generalization... Perhaps what's bugging me is that you seem to be mixing ability with interest, it's true that the social aspect of being part of a team may be a chore to INTPs, butwe definitely don't lack any sort of physical ability to be good at it if we wanted to. Practice makes perfect no matter what personality type.

 

[Architect]

Well, since I find that very untrue personally I would be against that generalization...

Recall I said it's a statistical theory, which means that there will be individuals who are outliers. The fact that you may be an INTP and like sports doesn't disprove the hypothesis.

Perhaps what's bugging me is that you seem to be mixing ability with interest, it's true that the social aspect of being part of a team may be a chore to INTPs, butwe definitely don't lack any sort of physical ability to be good at it if we wanted to. Practice makes perfect no matter what personality type.

I didn't spell it out but it's obvious that anybody is fundamentally capable of playing soccer. However ability follows interest and if a person lacks interest they are unlikely to practice.

 

[Ink]

I still believe the correlation is very weak

 

[Architect]

I still believe the correlation is very weak

I have no problem with that, any good theory has detractors. However I need to correct this last point as I'm proposing a causation not a correlation, which is that the need for unstructured alone time prompts most INTP's to eschew team sports.

Our close cousins the ISTP's are fond of team sports such as baseball and soccer (I work with a LOT of ISTP's). They also like solo sports like skiing.

 

[Ink]

http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP_per.html

"With a well-developed understanding of their environment and the ability to act very quickly, they may good athletes."

 

[Architect]

http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP_per.html

"With a well-developed understanding of their environment and the ability to act very quickly, they may good athletes."

lol ... like a dog with a bone.

Yeah I'm not disagreeing with that, your are missing my point which is the focus on team sports. I've been running and biking for some 25 years, so yeah we can do sports like anybody. One of my INTP friends is a huge cyclist and weight lifter. The others don't do anything (and look it). Also type isn't an exact recipe, it's a statistical specification. My observation may not be correct.

I think you're (slightly?) offended that I don't think INTP's generally like team sports. If so don't sweat it.

 

[Analyzer]

http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP_per.html

"With a well-developed understanding of their environment and the ability to act very quickly, they may good athletes."

I agree with statement. Although I believe INTPs are better suited for sports which allow autonomy and less structure as far as rules/style. This eliminates a lot of team sports such as football. Certain positions might be better suited for an INTP. A goalkeeper has a lot of autonomy same with a kicker. In hockey, a lot of the positions allow for this as well. I played hockey for decent amount of time growing up.

Individual sports like surfing and skateboarding have kept interest the longest for me. I don't know if this is attributed due to cultural leanings, such as living by the beach with lots of friends and family enjoying these sports as well. With these board sports I have full control of how to act and engage in the environment and my Ti goes off. I can also be creative in how I perform. When it comes to general fitness, I sometimes envision my body as a machine which you need to take care of. Maybe I am ISTP.

 

[Synthetix]

Any sport that involves a ball I tend to keep away from, since ball related sports usually involve team cohesion.

 

[Analyzer]

Any sport that involves a ball I tend to keep away from, since ball related sports usually involve team cohesion.

yup unless being goalie

 

[Absurdity]

I've known five for sure INTP's in my life (including myself) who all distinctly dislike team sports. Given that INTP's are lone wolfs I don't think it's a stretch to generalize.

I also fit this description. Never cared for team sports, despite being decent at them. Greatly preferred Taekwondo, which was much more individualistic.

Tangentially, I've always been interested in designing a distinct and unique fight style. Towards the end of my training I was coming up with new self defense techniques entirely on my own that baffled my instructors, but were effective.

Our close cousins the ISTP's are fond of team sports such as baseball and soccer (I work with a LOT of ISTP's). They also like solo sports like skiing.

Yes. My ISTP brother is considerably more of a team sport player than I am.

 

[Architect]

Yes. My ISTP brother is considerably more of a team sport player than I am.

I also have an ISTP brother and same deal.

 

[Beat Mango]

That's far too reductionist for a thread like this!

(Glad you're back btw.)

Why thank you old sport (pun intended)

Btw Im an INTP and love sports, especially teams sports. Dare I proclaim.

 

[Words]

OK, makes sense, but why are INTP's with Si in the tertiary generally the worst at organized sports? Se secondary ISTP's are quite good at sports too.

The "worst" seems right to me. If we follow the 8 function model, the INTP would be Ti Ne Si Fe Te Ni Se Fi. The Ni and the Se are the 3rd and 2nd to the least preferred(or perhaps least familiar) functions. If Se and Ni are related to excellence in sports, then it sort of makes sense. Other possible combinations for low Se-Ni include the reverse, Ni being 4th and Se being 1st and the reverse of this. Close to the INTP would be the Je types that have Si-Ne as their main perception functions and the INFP.

Or maybe it's related to body type.

 

[Ink]

The "worst" seems right to me. If we follow the 8 function model, the INTP would be Ti Ne Si Fe Te Ni Se Fi. The Ni and the Se are the 3rd and 2nd to the least preferred(or perhaps least familiar) functions. If Se and Ni are related to excellence in sports, then it sort of makes sense. Other possible combinations for low Se-Ni include the reverse, Ni being 4th and Se being 1st and the reverse of this. Close to the INTP would be the Je types that have Si-Ne as their main perception functions and the INFP.

Stop making up theories with no grounding in reality

 

[redbaron]

FWIW I played soccer up until about 16 at a pretty serious level

You played Under 16's soccer at a 'pretty serious' level. Wow, how incredibly elite! Surely it's obvious to everyone now that INTP's are definitely great at team sports! Honestly, why even bring this up?

I definitely see a lot of INTPs in the Swedish national soccer team.

I think this has already been brought up elsewhere before, but I don't think you're an INTP. I think you really like to think of yourself as INTP (when in reality you aren't) and therefore see people with similar traits to you as, 'likely INTP' because of their similarities when in fact you're probably not even INTP.

Stop making up theories with no grounding in reality.

Right.

INTP's excel in team sports because you once played little league soccer at a, 'pretty serious' level and you were 'good'. Oh and there's also a sentence somewhere on an MBTI website that says INTP's, 'may' make good athletes - note: 'athletes', no mention of, 'team sports'.

Honestly.

Fuck.

 

[Ink]

Youre fucking stupid redbaron, why would a personality type not be able to play a sport if he liked it and was motivated?

 

[Ink]

So I'm obviously hitting a soft spot with you guys, are you using your personality as an excuse not to excercise? Were you born with no learning ability to use your body? EVERY type can EXCEL in ANY sport, they just go about it in different ways.

 

[Absurdity]

So I'm obviously hitting a soft spot with you guys, are you using your personality as an excuse not to excercise? Were you born with no learning ability to use your body?

I have no idea where you're getting this. The distinctions made in this thread by Architect, redbaron, and others, between team and solo sports could not be more obvious.

 

[redbaron]

Youre fucking stupid redbaron, why would a personality type not be able to play a sport if he liked it and was motivated?

There's no reason. No one's said that anyway. I think Architect made the same point as I am now in four separate posts...and you still didn't (still don't apparently) get it.

It's not that INTP's, 'can't' be good at a sport. It's to do with them being unlikely to enjoy and be motivated to engage in team sports in the first place. Or just more likely to engage in more solitary activities.

And please, no more stories from the, 'Pretty Serious' division of the Swedish Little League.

It's as if you've already decided that people are disagreeing with your contention, regardless of whether or not people actually are.