Questions tagged [rules]
Questions about the rules of sports, including regulations for particular competitions or formats. Questions must also be tagged for the specific sport or competition.
1,759
questions
97
votes
7
answers
305k
views
Points are given in tennis 15-30-40. Why 40?
Tennis scoring goes 15-30-40-game. Why 40? Why not 45? What is the meaning of the points being given in tennis as 15-30-40-game? What is the history of this scoring calculation?
- 1,242
75
votes
8
answers
16k
views
Why is FIFA against adding instant replay to the game?
Is there any evidence or reason why FIFA is so against adding instant replay to soccer? I find myself seeing many unlucky or just plain wrong decisions made by refs that could be corrected with ...
- 1,399
60
votes
5
answers
52k
views
Is it legal to throw an alley-oop to yourself in a real game?
In this video, a college basketball player steals the ball, races down court, and avoids the defender by throwing a pass to himself off the backboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
- 3,286
55
votes
7
answers
10k
views
How is offside determined in football?
The offside rule on the pitch is often unclear and called suddenly. How do I know if a player is offside?
- 9,146
39
votes
6
answers
30k
views
Is it legal in racket sports to pass the racket from one hand to the other?
Can you hit with different hands during the same
point?
set?
match?
Also, is racket throwing authorised?
31
votes
3
answers
17k
views
Can referees change their decision?
Let's imagine an ideal situation:
A player scores a goal
Before scoring, they deliberately handle the ball
None of the referees notice the foul
The referee validates the goal
The scorer admits (...
- 479
31
votes
1
answer
71k
views
If the basketball goes through bottom of rim and re-enters, is it a basket?
Several years ago I was playing in an adult basketball league and a player took a bad shot that entered through the bottom of the hoop, hit the backboard and re-entered the hoop. The referee counted ...
30
votes
1
answer
27k
views
How are the number of laps in an F1 race determined?
The number of laps in a F1 race seem to differ wildly. Obviously the length of each lap varies from circuit to circuit, but how are the number of laps for each race decided?
Additionally, is this ...
- 2,879
28
votes
6
answers
14k
views
Can the opposing team's goalkeeper take a kick in a penalty shootout?
When doing a penalty shootout, is it possible for the opposing team's goalkeeper to take a kick? I've never seen it happen, but it seems that since the goalie is part of the team, he/she should be ...
- 647
28
votes
11
answers
39k
views
Screening in volleyball
The volleyball rules prohibit screening during a service (preventing the receiving team from seeing the ball or the serving player; rule 12.5), however, during any professional game you can see ...
- 3,456
28
votes
1
answer
10k
views
What's the justification for this rarely-invoked NFL fumble rule?
Yesterday, at the end of the Packers-Bills game (2014 Week 15), Rodgers fumbled into his own endzone. Eddie Lacy recovered it, but was unable to fight his way out, resulting in a game-winning safety.
...
- 385
27
votes
2
answers
32k
views
Why do tennis players keep an extra ball in their pocket?
I have seen many times, while serving, when a tennis player gets a ball, he/she keeps one ball in their pocket or skirt and serves with the other ball.
Why do they keep an extra ball in their pocket/...
- 1,116
26
votes
5
answers
34k
views
Why does a foul ball not count as a third strike?
From the Wikipedia entry for foul ball
A strike is issued for the batter if he had fewer than two strikes ...
A strike is, however, recorded for the pitcher for every foul ball the
batter hits, ...
- 3,649
26
votes
8
answers
2k
views
What baseball rules or calls have become customary despite them not being in the rule book?
There are some rules in Major League Baseball that have "evolved" over time. One such example is the checked swing rule. Announcers talk about the bat "breaking the plane of the plate" to judge ...
- 828
25
votes
5
answers
20k
views
Does the batsman get runs on No ball when the team requires only 1 run to win?
Suppose, A batsman is on strike with 98 runs. The scores are level so the batting team requires only 1 run to win. Now suppose in the next ball, the bowler bowls a No ball and the batsman hits FOUR or ...
- 6,532
25
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Why is drafting allowed on the bike in an Olympic triathlon and not otherwise?
The Olympic (or International) distance triathlon is 1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run.
Yet when run as the qualifier or at the Olympics, this is draft legal. Where as all tris of that distance I have ...
- 2,297
24
votes
1
answer
107k
views
What is the maximum number of red cards that a referee can give in a football match?
What is the greatest possible number of red cards that a referee can give in a football match?
Does such a limit even exist?
If so, does it vary from league to league and tournament to tournament?
- 600
23
votes
6
answers
59k
views
Why isn't spiking the football intentional grounding?
I understand that spiking the football is a time management technique in American football, but I don't understand why there is no penalty (e.g. intentional grounding) associated with it?
- 415
23
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Would a catch that rebounded off a flying bird be a fair catch in Cricket?
Lets say a batsman hits a shot and in midway it hits a bird in the air and then as soon as it hits the bird, the ball starts falling down and is caught by a fielder, will the batsman be given out?
I ...
- 600
23
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What actions are taken by FIFA/UEFA against what's known as filming or diving
It seems to me that modern football is suffering from the kind of unsportsmanly behavior of diving which became all the more common, perhaps with the recent success of southern European teams/nations. ...
- 7,281
22
votes
4
answers
53k
views
Which offences result in indirect free kicks?
If a player commits a direct free kick offence in their own penalty area, this results in a penalty kick instead of a direct free kick. However, if the offence is an indirect free kick offence, it ...
- 589
22
votes
1
answer
65k
views
Why is a foul bunt on strike three an out?
Following up on "Why does a foul ball not count as a third strike?", I can understand caught fouls and foul tips being counted as strike 3. But what is the logic behind a 3rd strike foul bunt being an ...
- 587
22
votes
2
answers
14k
views
In football, what rules handle a player changing their position with the goalkeeper?
In football it is my assumption that any players on the same team can exchange their positions without waiting for the ball to leave play or without making any explicit indication to the other team.
...
- 763
22
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Can the second-to-last defender cause an offside by leaving the field of play?
I had a little conversation one of my football friends and we had this interesting situation come up during the conversation.
As I understand the offside rule, the offending player should not be ...
- 479
22
votes
2
answers
105k
views
Why do Olympic soccer teams need to be U-23?
Why do Olympic soccer teams need to be under the age of 23?
Are there any exceptions about age restriction?
Are there any differences between men and women?
- 7,683
21
votes
5
answers
9k
views
What happens if a suspended player is used in match and the referee didn't notice
If a player gets a 2 match suspension and the referee fails to observe that this is the case until half time and his team uses him during the suspension period what penalty do the rules allow for in ...
- 211
21
votes
3
answers
11k
views
What's the reasoning behind the Uncaught Third Strike Rule?
In MLB, if a Catcher drops or misses the third pitched strike, the batter becomes a runner and can attempt to reach first base before tagged out or forced out at first.
6.09 The batter becomes a ...
- 313
21
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Does the defense have to defend the extra point?
At the end of the controversial Green Bay Packers/Seattle Seahawks game on Monday night, the Seahawks were awarded a touchdown as time expired that gave them a 13-12 point lead. In the ensuing ...
- 555
21
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why does a marathon start need to be near its finish for a record to count
In the answer to a question on the validity or otherwise of a world record, the answer quotes the rule book which says:
"The start and finish points of a course, measured along a theoretical ...
- 1,023
21
votes
3
answers
14k
views
Can a batsman be given out if a ball deflected by a helmet or pad is caught?
I have had this question for a long time:
Will a batsman be given out if the ball hits the pad or a helmet of a wicket keeper and the catch is taken by another fielder?
- 313
20
votes
4
answers
43k
views
Why was offside introduced, and are there reasons for keeping it?
The offside rule in football ( How is offside determined in soccer?) is the source of a large amount of goal-related controvesy, and is argued by some to diminish the entertainment value of the game.
...
- 303
20
votes
2
answers
137k
views
In volleyball when is it considered "Reaching over the net"?
In volleyball, when is it considered "reaching over the net"?
If my team serves, and the other team passes it close to the net, and I am front row. Can I reach over and kill it?
What about if just ...
- 421
20
votes
3
answers
70k
views
FIFA World Cup 2014 Tie Breaker Rules: "Between the teams concerned"?
Here is the rule for the ranking of the teams in the Group Stage of the World Cup, from Article 41 of the Regulations, 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil (PDF):
The ranking of each team in each group shall ...
- 301
19
votes
2
answers
45k
views
If a play ends with two runners at the same base who is safe?
In baseball if a play ends and two base runners are at the same base who is safe and who is out? Does the situation change if one of the runners can be forced?
- 9,146
19
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Rules around shepherding in football
In many ball sports played in Australia there is a familiar term "shepherding". Wikipedia describes it as this:
"Shepherding is the act of legally pushing, bumping or blocking an opposing player ...
- 763
19
votes
1
answer
631
views
Any other sport with draws like cricket?
In Test and first-class cricket, to win you need to do two things: outscore your opponent and bowl them out twice. If you only manage to outscore them, but fail to cause their last innings to come to ...
- 291
18
votes
5
answers
45k
views
Is it legal to dribble above shoulder height?
I heard that while dribbling the ball, if the ball rises above shoulder level then it is a turnover. I don't have any idea about this rule.
- 419
18
votes
3
answers
14k
views
Can a player receive two yellow cards if advantage is played?
If a football player A fouls player B in a manner such that they will receive a yellow card, but the referee plays the advantage rule, and subsequently player A fouls another player, can the referee ...
- 391
18
votes
1
answer
20k
views
What does the 'B' (or bonus) mean on a basketball scoreboard?
I was looking at pictures of scoreboards today, and I noticed that some of them have 'B's on the boards:
The same thing appears on NBA games, often in the broadcast scoreboard as well:
I've never ...
- 291
17
votes
3
answers
46k
views
Are you allowed to play zone defense in the NBA?
I remember in the "old days" that if a referee caught a team playing zone defense that they would blow the whistle to stop the play and call "Illegal Defense".
I haven't seen this foul called in a ...
- 4,645
17
votes
5
answers
14k
views
What is the purpose of the eligible reciever rules?
I do not know a lot about American Football, but I enjoy watching games from time to time. The other day I saw a penalty given for a player catching a pass but being an ineligible receiver. I had not ...
- 4,368
17
votes
4
answers
102k
views
What if a field goal is missed and it's not 4th down?
I guess it's commonplace to see a football team attempt a field goal on 4th down. Let's say the football team for whatever reason decides to kick it on 2nd or 3rd down and they miss it. Does that ...
- 1,262
17
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Why is a chargedown not regarded as a knock on in Rugby Union?
Generally in Rugby Union when a player knocks the ball forward from their hands without making a clean catch, a scrum is called for a knock on. But when a player kicks the ball and the ball is knocked ...
- 273
17
votes
1
answer
73k
views
If the ball hits your opponent, do you get a point?
I saw this question: "Can my body touch the table in table tennis?", but I am wondering something far more sinister: if I hit my opponent with the ball, and it doesn't touch the table, do I get a ...
- 273
17
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Are Hookers the only players allowed to take lineout throws?
When lineouts take place in Rugby Union I have only ever seen Hookers being the player who takes the throw in. Is it in the laws of the game that only a Hooker is allowed to take the throw?
If it is ...
- 572
17
votes
4
answers
44k
views
Who serves in the first game after a tiebreaker?
I'm watching the Federer-Roddick match in Miami.
Roddick served at 5-6 in the first set. He ended up serving out the tiebreak, 7 points to 4. He then opened the second set on serve.
How do they ...
- 466
17
votes
1
answer
16k
views
Is it permissible to wear hand gloves while fielding in cricket?
Is it permissible for a fielder to wear hand gloves while fielding in cricket due to some climate conditions or infections?
we can see the football players wearing hand gloves while playing(but they ...
- 8,725
17
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Are all of the lines on a tennis court the same width?
I was at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the BNP Paribas Open and took the following photo of center court.
The end lines appear to be thicker than the other lines (including the service line). My ...
- 587
17
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Overhand reception in indoor volleyball
Volleyball rules are going to change for the 2013 season. For example, the overhand reception of service would be forbidden (like it is in beach volleyball). What are the additional details that ...
- 3,456
17
votes
2
answers
11k
views
What constitutes a legal block in volleyball in regard to it not counting as the first hit?
Today in a match the setter set the ball too low for me to spike it, so I just dinked it over. The bottom of the ball was lower than the top of the net at the point where I made contact. When the ...
- 273