26
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Why did Manuel Neuer leave the goal post and come to the midfield position in group qualifiers?
When Neuer left the German's penalty area, Germany were already losing 1-0 and going out of the World Cup. By effectively becoming an extra outfield player, he increased the chance of Germany scoring ...
- 24.8k
14
votes
Can the captain change players' positions without permission from a coach or manager?
Other than the goalkeeper, there are no positions defined in the Laws of the Game, so nobody needs "permission" from anybody play anywhere on the pitch. The captain, or anyone else on the team for ...
- 24.8k
11
votes
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Why do the players in this video appear to be trying not to get a touchdown?
So there are really 2 things happening regarding to your question: what you're asking, and what those players are actually doing, which is very different than what you asked. I'll explain both ...
- 11.1k
7
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Why did Manuel Neuer leave the goal post and come to the midfield position in group qualifiers?
Jens Lehmann did it before (National keeper before Neuer) when he scored for Schalke 04 against Dortmund. And here are a few more international ones and this is from my team's league.
It is a common ...
- 5,342
7
votes
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Can You Down The Ball During an Extra Point?
Spiking the ball stops the game clock from running in general. Perhaps you're thinking of taking a knee as it's done at the end of games to kill the clock.
However, the clock doesn't run during the ...
- 11.1k
6
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Why do teams leave ~4 seconds for a field goal attempt
As you pointed out, offenses usually run the clock down to 4 seconds before attempting a game tying or game winning field goal. You can see examples of the offense stopping the clock anywhere from 1 ...
- 11.1k
5
votes
Why are marathon runners so tactical? Any reasonable reason?
Marathons are a competitive sport. Runners want to finish with both the best time they can manage and ahead of other runners. Long distance running is a juggle managing your energy and reserves ...
- 1,025
4
votes
Can the captain change players' positions without permission from a coach or manager?
As stated by @PhilipKendall, there's no rule delimiting the functions of coaches and players. And to add to that: there's no rule that forces you to even have a coach present, nor for the coach to ...
- 163
4
votes
Why did Manuel Neuer leave the goal post and come to the midfield position in group qualifiers?
I should preface this by a disclaimer that I am by not means expert, just a regular fan who occasionally watches a game.
You can often see Manuel Neuer playing outside of penalty box, basically in ...
- 5,811
4
votes
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What does it mean to "bring back a rider" in bike racing?
I know drafting might come into play too but to simplify things, let's forget about drafting
You can't forget about drafting because it is a huge effect in road racing; quoting from How much benefit ...
- 24.8k
3
votes
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Why do Setters jump before setting the volleyball?
The setter is higher. That means that the way of the ball from the setter to the attacker is shorter
If the setter is frontrow he is able to score directly on second.
The setter has a wider range of ...
- 46
3
votes
Why do multiple offensive players stand near the ball during a free kick?
Having multiple players by the ball can allow for more offensive opportunities. It doesn't mean that it will create better chances, but if played correctly, having 2 or maybe 3 players behind the ball ...
- 11.1k
3
votes
What is the advantage to ask the Power Play in curling?
There are two "classical" strategies in Curling:
1) With the hammer (i.e. the right to play the last stone in the end), your goal is to draw the game to the side of the house, so that at the end you ...
- 151
3
votes
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Why do curlers blank on purpose?
There are several reasons, but these are the main two:
during the first part of the game it is easy to see a blank end because the team with the hammer is studying the ice and prefers a blanked end ...
- 9,382
3
votes
Accepted
What is the science behind reverse swing?
Reverse swing is the swing a bowler gets with the old ball towards the shiny side of the old ball rather than the conventional swing a bowler gets. If a bowler is bowling an outswinger, reverse-swing ...
- 6,524
3
votes
What is the science behind reverse swing?
Reverse swing comes into play when the ball gets older, you may have seen bowlers cleaning a partial surface(side) of the ball. This Is done to enhance the reverse swing later in the innings. After a ...
- 31
3
votes
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Sign stealing in baseball
Sign stealing is pretty easy - you watch the signs and then match the corresponding pitches. The signs indicate what kind of pitch (fastball, change-up, slider, curve, etc.) and often the placement - ...
- 770
3
votes
Accepted
Soccer: How to thwart someone who's pushing you on the back when receiving the ball
I have played as a defender against some very frustrating strikers with larger frames. The good ones lean back a bit, expecting some contact, and concentrate on shielding the ball. They don't let a ...
- 3,679
3
votes
Can a player deliberately foul in a red if a color is on?
There's no explicit rule to stop this from working. But assuming the referee were aware that the move had been intentional, they do have options to prevent the striker from profiting from the foul ...
- 608
2
votes
Accepted
How should I defend against my opponent's jump smash?
First of all, you should be aware that at professional levels, the (jump) smash is the shot to end a rally (or to prepare a kill shot). Especially in doubles, but also high-level (Men's) singles, ...
- 2,233
2
votes
Rugby formations
The standard positions refer to where the players, particularly the forwards, line up at scrum time. In the loose, players line up in "pods", and how they line up in attack and defence, and ...
2
votes
Accepted
How important is the opening service in a game of badminton?
In badminton, the number of different serves is relatively small:
A short serve to the T (middle of the court) flies shortest and opens up the least options for the opponent. In practice, among high-...
- 2,233
2
votes
What are the differences in sweeping between the two sweepers in the curling?
It's affecting the curl of the stone.
One sweeper enhances the curl away from the sweeper.
A second sweeper on the other side of the stone would cause the same effect in the opposite direction, ...
- 5,342
2
votes
why would a batter awarded a base on balls refuse to advance to first base?
The only mention the linked rule (9.14) makes of the batter refusing first base is
(c) If a batter awarded a base on balls is called out for refusing to advance to first base, the official scorer ...
- 338
2
votes
Why do multiple offensive players stand near the ball during a free kick?
Tactically, it provides choices.
The defenders will set up in particular areas in and around the box, leaving others more open. Attackers in those open areas are more likely to be free.
Added to ...
Nij♦
- 8,215
2
votes
How do player-managers substitute players in football?
First off, a playing manager is not blind. Even on the pitch they'll see who performs and who doesn't. And they'll quite frequently communicate with their assistants.
Anyway, there are several ways ...
- 5,342
2
votes
Accepted
Dealing with help defense
So, the situation:
You're doing a thing (driving to the basket)
The defense is making the "level 1" response (sending help)
Your teammates aren't making the "level 2" response (...
- 24.8k
1
vote
Why do Setters jump before setting the volleyball?
There are multiple good reasons:
Allows more angles and directions when setting
It helps the attacker to align himself better to the ball and the opponents field
Surprises the opponent's mid-blocker ...
- 113
1
vote
why would a batter awarded a base on balls refuse to advance to first base?
When this happens, it's often by accident. The common term is "abandonment of the bases".
It's happened twice in my experience as a scorer in the UK, both times it was ball four with the ...
- 11
1
vote
Why are marathon runners so tactical? Any reasonable reason?
One would almost never know who are more prepared while running a marathon as opposed to many other physical sports.
The time is long and almost anything can happen to anyone. Therefore, almost ...
- 111
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