Five Unwritten Rules of Sports
Rules were made to be broken, except on the field.
If you didn’t know, then now you know.
1. Don’t walk across the green. Have you ever seen golfers squat behind the ball before they putt? They’re lining up their shot - imagine an actual line from the ball to the hole. That’s why you NEVER EVER walk across the green. If you walk across the green and end up walking through another golfer’s line, their ball could rollover your footprint and possibly change direction. While walking through someone’s line is disrespectful and annoying, it’s best to stay off the green as much as possible. Better to be safe than sorry!
2. Kick the ball out of bounds if an opposing player is hurt. This is one of the more sincere and compassionate unwritten rules of sports. In soccer, when a player gets hurt, the referee usually blows the whistle to stop play. However, the ref doesn’t always see it, therefore it is customary to kick the ball out of bounds. (This is assuming the player who hurt is actually down and not faking one of those Academy Award-winning performances we sometimes associate with soccer). Most of the time, the team that kicked the ball out will get it back, but even if your team doesn’t, it’s the right thing to do and you can pat yourself on the back for being a respectful opponent.
3. Don’t bunt during a no-hitter. It’s no secret that being on the opposite side of a no-hitter in baseball sucks. It’s pretty dang embarrassing for the other team. But for the pitcher, it’s a feat unlike any other. The first thought for the team up against the pitcher would be to bunt -just an easy little tap and then an all-out sprint to first base. Simple, right? Just one hit, and the frustration ends? No. Nope. Can’t do it. Why? Well, even though there’s no written rule for it, it’s a respect thing, so don’t do it.
4. Don’t shoot a last-second basket when your team is up. This one might seem like a no-brainer when your basketball team is up by a lot, and the other team is dragging a bit because they know they’re not going to win. It would be super easy to run the length of the court and hit the most impressive slam dunk of all time. Don’t do it. There’s no reason to do it except to embarrass yourself and the losing team. It’s disrespectful and adds nothing to the game itself. Although nobody can technically stop you, an earful from your coach and some snide remarks from opposing players will be sure to follow.
5. Don’t even think about an onside kick if you’re demolishing the other team. This unwritten rule in football is similar to not shooting a last-second basket when you’re up by a lot. An onside kick is a kickoff strategy that involves the kicking team kicking the ball more laterally and a shorter distance so their team can more easily retrieve the ball. When you’re up by a lot in football, an onside kick is flashy, obnoxious, and there’s really no reason for your team to need the ball back when they’re not receiving. Not onside kicking when you’re up by a lot is just a respect thing. Just like running up the score a bunch just because you can is disrespectful, so is this. Be a good sport.
Celebrating Kobe Bryant Day
Celebrating the girl dad whose legacy will impact generations today, 8/24, Kobe Bryant Day.
Yesterday would’ve been Kobe Bryant’s 42nd birthday and today is officially “Kobe Bryant Day.” Bryant wore the numbers 8 and 24, so it’s only logical to recognize the legend that we lost too soon today.
Be fearless,
The Last NIght’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
Kobe Bryant was a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He once announced the Dodgers' starting lineup for game four of the 2018 World Series. The team sported Bryant’s jersey yesterday before the game and both his number and his daughter Gianna’s jersey numbers were prominently featured on the pitcher’s mound. Gianna Bryant died alongside her father and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020. LEGENDS LOST
Overtime
He was a man who wasn’t perfect, but never claimed to be. He was one of the best in the history of the game and inspired generations of basketball players, athletes and go-getters around the world. It showed with the plethora of touching (and sometimes tear evoking) tributes from his friends and family yesterday. Nike released a Bryant tribute video yesterday, narrated by rapper Kendrick Lamar, that’ll give you goosebumps. WATCH IT HERE
Sideline stat
Nike has declared this week “Mamba Week.” (Bryant’s nickname was Black Mamba). As part of the tribute, they will donate $1 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which "exists to further Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s legacy through charitable endeavors in sports," and includes introducing more girls to basketball and elevating female coaches. Nike is also releasing five pairs of the Lakers’ legend’s signature shoes. FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST
Coaches’ corner
Bryant was a man of many talents. He was raised in Italy and spoke three different languages. He would occasionally pick up another, like Slovak, to talk trash. Once, he wanted to learn how to play the piano for his wife but instead of hiring a piano teacher, which was the easy way out, he taught himself. He put on headphones and listened to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on repeat until he perfected it. WHAT COULDN’T HE DO?
The Talk Of The Town
It’s undoubtedly the talk of the town and we’re not talking about the latest celebrity gossip.
It’s undoubtedly the talk of the town and we’re not talking about the latest celebrity gossip.
Let the bracket bonanza begin,
The Last Night’s Game Team
College Basketball
When nothing is as good as the original. The big Selection Sunday show that announced which men’s teams made it into the March Madness tournament took a different turn this year. The network announced all of the teams in the first 15 mins in alphabetical order instead of the previous format where the teams and their rankings were slowly announced throughout the show. Fans were not happy, including the Lawrence, Kansas Police Department that tweeted, “Please do not call 911 to complain about the format of the NCAA tournament selection show. We can’t do anything about it, no matter how bad it is.”
PS- The women’s bracket will be announced tonight.
When you have nothing to lose. Over 70 million people filled out brackets for last year’s tournament, so why not join in on the fun? Play in our bracket challenge for a chance to win prizes (there are even prizes for last place). Questions are encouraged and novices are welcome. No pressure - pick by team color, mascot or use the random button and let the computer pick for you. Expect lots of upsets, which means your guess is as good as anyone’s. Here’s the bracket link. (password: sportscurious)
Have more questions? Check out our March Madness 101 or send us a note.
Overtime
When you have a Bridesmaids moment in the middle of a soccer game. Captain of both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, Sergio Ramos, ran off the field in haste during his team’s win yesterday. When asked about Ramos’ immediate departure in a postgame press conference, his manager so delicately answered “He sh-- himself.” Well that's a crappy excuse.
Sideline stat
Tiger Woods is back, finishing in second place in the Valspar Open this weekend. He may be looking a little older but he’s playing like a young Woods and the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) is loving it as their ratings and fan engagement soar.
Coaches’ corner
The March Madness tournament starts tomorrow with the two play-in games. What is a play-in game? They are two pre-tournament games where four teams that almost made it to the tournement play and the winners get into the actual tournament. The games for all other teams start on Thursday.
What to watch
Serena Williams continues her comeback, facing her sister Venus in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, CA today.