In the same way a stylish belt or cute handbag is essential to complete an outfit, the fist pump is an essential accessory for any great athlete. The quality of the fist pump can make or break an athlete, or at least, my opinion of one.
In order to rate the best and worst, I have come up with a list of criteria to determine what constitutes a quality fist pump.
Here is the list:
•sincerity
•intention
•crowd reaction
•physicality of the motion
•attitude
•frequency
•variety
Okay, let's begin with the rankings.
The Good
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about 1 month ago
I am really sorry the pictures didn't work in the article. Would have made for an easier read, but hopefully clicking the links isn't too bad.
about 1 month ago
no worries bout the pics. the fist pumps can get really crazy. i like Tigers the best. simple yet powerful.
about 1 month ago
thanks. tiger is definitely the best. no contest.
about 1 month ago
Fantastic read. Job well done!
about 1 month ago
thanks for the comments. i have to say my new favorite picture is of Maria Sharapova in the midst of THE CONSTIPATOR. Makes me laugh every time I see it.
from about 1 month ago
I agree. The Constipator is very funny. And what a great name for it!
about 1 month ago
does no one in basketball, football do fist pumps? gibson must play golf because he definitely knew how to fist pump when he had the chance. good name on the Constipator
about 1 month ago
basketball and football players do fist pump. however, i have found it tends to be used more in individual sports. brett favre and peyton manning fist pump a fair amount. i have seen some pictures of kobe bryant fist pumping as well. by the way, I saw a live fist pump from padraig harrington yesterday. it was hilarious. he is the goofiest guy.
about 1 month ago
Absolutely hilarious. POTD
about 1 month ago
My opinion may be a bit biased... but how about Derek Jeter for a good fist pump? haha
about 1 month ago
I just like how bad the female tennis players are at fist pumps. What would they do in a real fight?
I think they would break their hands trying to punch someone with an unclenched fist.
MJ needs to be on this list.
I'm cool with Tiger being no. 1, but MJ should be no. 2 and Kobe should be mentioned.
Watch highlights of MJ and Kobe making game-winning shots. They are genuine, have good form, and make the crowd go nuts.
from about 1 month ago
I agree MJ and Kobe do have great fist pumps. And looking back I would probably replace Federer and put in either MJ or Kobe, both worthy of mention. It's funny how bad the female tennis players are in regards to fist pumping, downright awful in fact. I found that Jennifer Capriati has a good fist pump though. And in the world of golf, Annika Sorenstam has a really good fist pump.
about 1 month ago
Favre has a beast fist pump. he actually punches the air...lol
about 1 month ago
Does Tyler Hansbrough's count in the ACC tournment last year as a fist pump. If so Id toss it in there
about 1 month ago
Great article. However, I think than an essential component to a great fist pump is proper wrist angle. Bending the wrist forward is fine (see Tiger's High Uppercut), as is keeping the wrist straight (see Nadal's Controlled Pump). However, under no circumstances should the wrist be bent backwards. For this reason, I'd have to disagree with Gibson's fist pump being listed as one of the greats.
about 1 month ago
Interesting article...There is no right or wrong answer to the "best fist pump" question, but I always liked Michael Jordan's the best: cool, calm, confident; it was almost like he was saying "yeah, just try & stop that." You knew the game was over whenever MJ held his arm at that 90 degree angle.
Personally I think Tiger's is a bit much considering he's playing more of a leisurely game than a sport, buy hey, nothing wrong with being passionate.
about 1 month ago
http://soxblog.projo.com/archives/papelbon29.JPG
http://www.knucklecurve.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/jonathan-papelbon-red-sox-closer_nc.jpg
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/12/20/world.series.ball/
http://digitalderek.typepad.com/sawxblog/photos/2008/regular_season/may/jonathan_papelbon.jpg
http://soxblog.mlblogs.com/photos/uncategorized/papelbon_mariners_3.jpg
http://espn.go.com/i/page2/photos2/jonathan_papelbon1_195x262.jpg
I rest my case.
from about 1 month ago
fair enough, but I can't stand the red sox.
about 1 month ago
Nadal= Rabbit on cocaine.
Most annoying Tennis star since McEnroe.
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