Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

WeDriftEternal t1_iybdqoe wrote

Its unfortunately simply a successful tactic in the game with little downside.

Getting a penalty, especially one in a prime location or that would result in a penalty kick, is extremely valuable. Huge deal. The 'cost' of being caught faking, is that most fakes aren't caught, and if you get caught its generally not a big deal.

Its unfortunate, but its such a good tactic in the sport that you see it from youth up to the top pinnacle of players.

A short to say, the rules of the game make the benefit of making vastly more than the "loss" in getting caught faking.

Yes, everyone thinks the rule should change.

You didn't ask, but the NBA also has a flopping problem, which they also ignore.

12

Little_Noodles t1_iybekt7 wrote

I always assumed that, in addition to being a trick to try to get the other team in trouble, it was also a trick to get to sit down for a minute - soccer players run around A LOT.

I know it’s terrible, but I kind of like it. It’s the only real sport I can think of that incorporates drama class. Like, you can win by being good at soccer, but it also helps to be good at pretending, and everyone is in on the pretending what with the dumb little “healing spray” and all.

5

WeDriftEternal t1_iybf3l1 wrote

Yes, its true, they all need breaks so sometimes you see this in play, where someone just takes a lot of time and everyone gets some water. But this is also, kinda a mutual waterbreak, to a degree.

3

oxfozyne t1_iybel3k wrote

Hockey has a diving problem too.

NHL rule book.

64.1 Diving / Embellishment – Any player who blatantly dives, embellishes a fall or a reaction, or who feigns an injury shall be penalized with a minor penalty under this rule. A goalkeeper who deliberately initiates contact with an attacking player other than to establish position in the crease, or who otherwise acts to create the appearance of other than incidental contact with an attacking player, is subject to the assessment of a minor penalty for diving / embellishment. 64.2 Minor Penalty – A minor penalty shall be imposed on a player who attempts to draw a penalty by his actions (“diving / embellishment”).

3

WeDriftEternal t1_iybfebh wrote

Surprisingly, diving in hockey (especially high level hockey) really isn't a big issue. You'd be surprised how often it actually gets called.

Refs in hockey, unlike NBA and football/soccer, are pretty empowered to make the decision to call a diving penalty, as such you see far less of it than you might otherwise see.

2

oxfozyne t1_iybi3ja wrote

Surprisingly, players such as Ray Bourque have endorsed diving because the penalties do not outweigh the rewards, and referees such as Kerry Fraser and Paul Stewart have stated that the rule is not applied properly or inconsistently called and there should be more embellishment penalties year after year than what are actually called.

2