Comments on: 7 Underhanded Sports Tactics (Including how to knock out a deaf guy)

By: Mathew

Mathew — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:03:20 +0000

Speaking of cricket, there was also the infamous Bodyline series, where Bradman and Co where deliberately targeted with short-pitched balls aimed at their bodies.

By: Kristian

Kristian — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:14:01 +0000

This isn’t nearly on the same level as these 7 excellent examples (although #6 did depress me…), but former Maryland Terrapin footballer (and later Pro Wrestler) Darren Drozdoff was known for vomiting onfield before the first play of every game.

Also I’ve heard (can’t confirm this…) that since most pros don’t wear proper protection (i.e. cups), grabbing and squeezing, um, certain sensitive parts is standard practice in football piles. If the commentator claims that a player is “winded” it is often due to his having had his parts squeezed!

By: Mangesh

Mangesh — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 03:22:08 +0000

hey David: I’m pretty certain it’s Paralympics, not Special Olympics (per a quick search on the BBC, and wikipedia). As for the Real McCoy term, we had the article fact checked, and I’m pretty sure it’s right, but when I double checked on some sites, it seems that half the sources credit the boxer, and the other half credit the engineer… so I guess that’s a toss up. I’ll edit the post if I read anything more definitive!

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:33:16 +0000

There is also the case of Hopoate (I think that’s spelled right) a rugby league footballer in Australia who would routinely insert a finger into the anus of opposing players while tackling them. More often than not the result was that the shocked player would drop the ball. Most players were too embarrassed to say anything about the incursion. He got away with it for years before someone complained, and suddenly they all came forward to say he had done it to them too.

By: David

David — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:52:19 +0000

Actually, the term “the real McCoy” was coined for engineering works of Elijah McCoy. He built parts for steam engines and there were many copycats to his work, often leaving engine owners wondering if the parts they were paying for were “the Real McCoy”.

Also, I think it’s the Special Olympics, not the Paralympics you’re referring to.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:22:26 +0000

To Clarify Jess in comment 11 for those that don’t know cricket – was a big deal. Hitting a ‘6′ means that the batter had to hit the ball out of the park on the full (like a home run) which gives them 6 runs. Which New Zealand needed to win the game. So instead of bowling normally, the bowler (Trevor) literally rolled the ball along the ground. After this game that is now illegal. Bloody Aussies!

By: al

al — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:40:20 +0000

eCommerce, Ben Stein, NPR

(not in the same article) :)

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:40:54 +0000

Roger Neilson, the famous NHL coach, was well-known for bending the rules as well. From Wikipedia:

“Neilson was well known for closely reading the rule book looking for loopholes. During one particular game in the OHL his team was up one goal, but was down two men in a five on three situation for the last minute of the game. Realizing that more penalties could not be called under the existing rules, Neilson put too many men on the ice every ten seconds. The referees stopped the play and a faceoff was held relieving pressure on the defence. After this display the rule was changed so that a call for too many men on the ice in a 5 on 3 situation now leads to a penalty shot.

Neilson also discovered that if he put a defenceman in net instead of a goalie during a penalty shot, the defenceman could rush the attacker and cut down the latter’s angle of shot, greatly reducing the chances of a goal. Today the rule states that a team must use a goalie in net for a penalty shot.”

By: Tdave

Tdave — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:57:41 +0000

Dare I mention?

BONDS* (I wish I could make a giant asterisk, an asterisk on steroids.)

By: fisch

fisch — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:22:04 +0000

The basketball coach at my high school plays his five best players, with absolutely no rotations, the entire length of the game. The only time he ever replaces a player is if they’re injured to the point of hospitalization. Every game I attend, there are 15 other disgruntled players, who have to show up to every practice or be cut, who never get to see action on the court. It’s irksome, at best.