I'm not an athlete. I've never played most of these sports. I don't get to watch as much as I wish I could. For many of you, these are probably stupid questions, but they are things I've always casually wondered about.
1. Hockey - I'll admit, I had to go online to look up icing in order to figure out what it was. However, I still don't understand the purpose of the rule. How would the sport be different (worse) if there was no rule against icing?
2. Hockey and Soccer - Similar to above, I've never understood why some sports have rules against being off sides, but not others. You never complain about an offensive player getting behind the defense in basketball - it's called a fast break, and it's exciting and entertaining. Why would some sports be different (worse) if there was no rule against being off sides?
3. Baseball - I often can't tell when balks, and sometimes not even on a replay. I read about what constitutes a balk, and understand it on paper, but in practice I can't identify it. Is it because I'm usually more focused on the batter? (Probably). How are umps trained to spot this?
4. Basketball - Watching the NBA in particular, I don't understand why it's almost always a foul on a defender if the offensive player initiates contact. Why does it matter if the defender is moving or stationary? Is there a rationale for having the games called this way? Why do we need restricted area under the basket that prevents someone from playing defense?
5. Football - Why do skill players get paid more in the NFL. It seems that great line play (on either side of the ball) can make up for (or cover up) a lack of skill players, but not the other way around. Am I wrong in thinking this? If not, why aren't lineman more highly valued compared to skill players?
1. Hockey - I'll admit, I had to go online to look up icing in order to figure out what it was. However, I still don't understand the purpose of the rule. How would the sport be different (worse) if there was no rule against icing?
2. Hockey and Soccer - Similar to above, I've never understood why some sports have rules against being off sides, but not others. You never complain about an offensive player getting behind the defense in basketball - it's called a fast break, and it's exciting and entertaining. Why would some sports be different (worse) if there was no rule against being off sides?
3. Baseball - I often can't tell when balks, and sometimes not even on a replay. I read about what constitutes a balk, and understand it on paper, but in practice I can't identify it. Is it because I'm usually more focused on the batter? (Probably). How are umps trained to spot this?
4. Basketball - Watching the NBA in particular, I don't understand why it's almost always a foul on a defender if the offensive player initiates contact. Why does it matter if the defender is moving or stationary? Is there a rationale for having the games called this way? Why do we need restricted area under the basket that prevents someone from playing defense?
5. Football - Why do skill players get paid more in the NFL. It seems that great line play (on either side of the ball) can make up for (or cover up) a lack of skill players, but not the other way around. Am I wrong in thinking this? If not, why aren't lineman more highly valued compared to skill players?