# Strictly legal by the letter of the rules, but a jerk move nonetheless **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 24, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489 "2023-05-24T02:34:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/21 "2023-05-24T04:09:14Z")
There was a Cowboys game I watched a few years back where they were pretty far ahead of the opposing team. It was the 4th quarter, time was low, there was no way they could catch up, and the Cowboys had the ball. But instead of just being nice about it and running the clock out, they were doing all they could to score a few extra points. Normally you don’t do that kind of thing unless there’s a chance the opposing team could catch up or get ahead, but that wasn’t the case here. The Cowboys weren’t doing it to be jerks, they were doing it because it would allow their kicker to tie for the most field goals kicked in a single game record. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/22 "2023-05-24T04:53:11Z")
That was 1996, Cowboys vs. Packers. Dallas was up 18-6 but the coach wanted Boniol, the kicker, to get a seventh field goal to tie the record. Which he did, to make it 21-6. The Packers (Reggie White in particular) didn’t like it and there was almost a fight. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/23 "2023-05-24T04:54:58Z")
Similar to playing as Oddjob in James Bond Goldeneye. The guy was so short that it was very difficult to shoot him, using the game’s crosshairs. It’s not technical cheating to play as Oddjob, but usually kids would mutually agree not to select Oddjob as the character for them to play in multiplayer because it was unfair. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/24 "2023-05-24T05:01:53Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The only one I can think of offhand is in 8-ball, if your opponent has to put the cue ball behind the line if you scratch. If all of your opponent’s balls are also behind the line, deliberately scratching so they have no viable next shot is technically legal, but something I would consider a jerk move. You only have to put the cue ball behind the head line if you scratch on break. Any other scratch just results in ball in hand for the opponent, i.e. they can place it anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/25 "2023-05-24T05:22:54Z")
The idea of anything Gentlemanly, or honorable or not a Dick Move in the Tour de Farce is a comical concept to me. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/26 "2023-05-24T06:55:19Z")
I figured that wasn’t the official rule, but it was the house rules we played with at a buddy’s house back in the day. It was understood that you were _allowed_ do an intentional scratch in such a situation, but only an asshole would actually do it. Still, a house rule is a terrible example to bring to the table so I’m glad I posted here first. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/27 "2023-05-24T08:32:02Z")
Interesting, I have absolutely no problem with Mankading as a spectator. If a batter is backing up excessively it gives them an unfair advantage by shortening the subsequent run. You have to allow the batter at the non-strikers end to be runout in order to force them to hold their ground. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/28 "2023-05-24T09:05:53Z")
True. It is necessary for the balance of the game to be upheld. There is no stipulation that either batsman must be behind their crease at any time. The ruling is that if, when their wicket is broken while the ball is live, they are caught not behind their crease, then on appeal they are given out. I would have thought that if the non-striker was trying to crib a few inches that they should stand well off the pitch (from where that pesky popping crease measures their caper and demise) but rather 20m away on the strikers legside and run for the quick single behind the square leg umpire. Then neither umpire would know if they were in or out and hence, if there was no video evidence, they would be determined as not out. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/29 "2023-05-24T09:22:02Z")
Two come to mind from baseball: Stealing a base when your team is up by a substantial amount of runs. This could probably also be included in the “Runnibg Up the Score” thread. If the opposing pitcher is throwing a no-hitter or perfect game, it can be considered bad form to try to bunt for a hit to break it up. Note that this only really applies if the bunting team is being blown-out. In a close game, it certainly makes sense to do whatever you can to get a runner on base. For instance, when Ben Davis bunted to [break up Curt Schilling’s perfect game](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/story/2020-05-26/padres-history-may-26-ben-davis-so-called-chicken-bunt), the Padres were only down by two runs. This occurred in the 8th inning. Bob Brenly, then the Diamondbacks manager, was very pissed about the hit. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/30 "2023-05-24T09:34:06Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Interesting, I have absolutely no problem with Mankading as a spectator. If a batter is backing up excessively it gives them an unfair advantage by shortening the subsequent run. You have to allow the batter at the non-strikers end to be runout in order to force them to hold their ground. I agree, You are seeking to gain an advantage and are risking being run out. If they were halfway down the pitch would anyone complain about the stumping? If you want to risk gaining an advantage, fine. But understand it is a risk. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/31 "2023-05-24T09:37:50Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > In Monopoly; buying all 30 houses and not upgrading to hotels. This means players with new monopolies can’t build and those with hotels who need cash have to sell the whole hotel back to the bank rather than just downgrade to houses. Sorry, that’s just a skillful play! ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/32 "2023-05-24T09:50:31Z")
Another Monopoly example: always paying rent in one-dollar bills. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/33 "2023-05-24T10:01:40Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > A “nothing” rider going for the stage win in the last stage of the Tour de France. > > The final stage of the TdF is heavily contested, just not really until the last lap. If any rider did a breakaway early they’d be reeled in because the course heavily favors the peleton. All teams with a good sprinter wants to be in contention in Paris - they’ll make sure no one gets a cheap win. ??? Sorry, I always thought that a peleton was a laundry rack with a tv screen. Fight my ignorance, please? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/34 "2023-05-24T10:07:11Z")
> **[Peloton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloton)** > > In a road bicycle race, the peloton (from French, originally meaning 'platoon') is the main group or pack of riders. Riders in a group save energy by riding close (drafting or slipstreaming) to (particularly behind) other riders. The reduction in drag is dramatic; riding in the middle of a well-developed group, drag can be reduced to as little as 5%–10%. Exploitation of this potential energy saving leads to complex cooperative and competitive interactions between riders and teams in race tact In... ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/35 "2023-05-24T10:41:32Z")
In football (soccer) not scoring during a group stage match to prevent another team from advancing. Strictly legal, but certainly a jerk move, to the point that now the last group stage matches are played at the same time to prevent this. You occasionally see it in American football when the outcome of a game is more determined by what another team in the same conference does then what is happening on the field. In Tennis, the underhand serve is considered a jerk move even though it is can be a good tactical play. `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/36 "2023-05-24T10:59:54Z")
I’ve always though the “Muggins” rule in cribbage was a bit of a dick move but as it’s an optional rule that has to be agreed ahead of play, it’s really fair game. Don’t like it? Don’t agree to it. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/37 "2023-05-24T11:48:23Z")
In baseball, if there’s a pop up, a base runner shouting “I got it” to confuse the fielders (and hopefully get them to let the ball drop) is considered unsportsmanlike. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/x9NSSCzrnRw/hqdefault.jpg "A-Rod yells "Ha, I got it!" during a pop-up to distract Blue Jays") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9NSSCzrnRw) ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/38 "2023-05-24T11:54:44Z")
The Muggins rule is the best part of Cribbage! My strictly legal play I’ve seen a few times in high school football. It’s a trick play by the offense, where the quarterback “asks to see the ball” then acts like there’s something wrong with the ball and walks towards a sideline official holding the ball up until he sees a hole in the defense and runs for a big gain. Ha Ha, when the center gave the ball to the QB that’s when the play started you dumb Defense persons! Maybe next time something out of the ordinary happens, a Linebacker should just level the defenseless QB because “maybe there’s a play happening?” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/39 "2023-05-24T11:55:45Z")
Flailing and flopping in basketball to draw fouls. James Hardin is a master of the flail and spends a lot of time at the foul line. What annoys me is when a player flops, then writhes and rolls around clutching some part of his body like he’s dying, in order to try to get a flagrant on the opposing player. Then two minutes later he’s like “Jesus healed me!” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489/40 "2023-05-24T12:01:01Z")
[Welcome to professional soccer.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__G4RrlGmVk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strictly-legal-by-the-letter-of-the-rules-but-a-jerk-move-nonetheless/984489.md?page=3)