# Stupid sports questions that you should know but don't. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 17, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657 "2009-12-17T17:47:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/21 "2009-12-17T22:43:37Z")
Another interesting thing about kick-offs (not punts) is that a kick-off must stay in bounds (unless it goes out of the back line of the opponent’s end zone). If it goes out of bounds (sidelines), it’s a penalty on the kicking team. If the ball is in bounds but near the sideline, the receiving team player may stick his little toe out of bounds and, keeping his little toe out, he may grab the ball in the field of play. This is considered a kick out of bounds and a penalty on the kicking team even though the ball never actually went out of bounds. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/22 "2009-12-17T22:52:28Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > They do this because the receiving team can call for a “fair catch” on any kick … unless the ball touches the ground first. As discussed, if the receiving team calls for a fair catch, the kicking team must back off and allow the fair catch attempt. If the ball touches the ground first, no fair catch is allowed, and the kicking team can plow into the receiving team at will in an effort to get the ball. I learned something new today! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/23 "2009-12-17T23:20:08Z")
Some of these have been answered already, but I’ll pick out some to answer > [@](#): > > What is that thing referees wear on their right hands? It’s not a whistle… the whistle is on their left hands. I assume you’re asking about the elastic down indicator (although most of us wear them on our left hands and our whistles are around our necks, but preferences vary). An elastic strap connected to a wristband keeps track of the downs. 1st down - around index finger; 2nd down - around index and middle fingers; etc. The umpire and/or referee will track the lateral spot of the previous snap (to aid in respotting after an incomplete pass or penalty) with looping different fingers to indicate left hash, left upright, center, right upright, right hash. On-side punt: I’m pretty sure these exist in Canadian football; a player behind the kicker (or the kicker himself) when the ball is kicked is eligible to recover the punt. Punts that do not cross the line: The kicking team can recover and advance a punt that does not cross the line of scrimmage. If the kick goes out of bounds (even behind the line) they forfeit posession. Fair catch: The current rule is a safety measure; the returner forfeits the right to gain yardage in exchange for the right to keep his head attached to his body. The rule itself harkens back to the early days of play-with-your-hands-football. Under most codes a player who “fairly caught” (ie, before it bounced) a kicked ball was entitled to restart play with a free kick and the defenders were required to give him room. This rule persists as the “mark” in Aussie Rules. The free-kick from fair catch is what gives birth to the current PAT. In the original American football codes, a touchdown did not award points, but gave you the right to “punt-out” from behind the goal line to your own team. If one of your teammates fairly caught the punt-out, he was then entitled to kick for a goal from that spot. If the ball was not fairly caught, open play would resume. When points were awarded for touchdowns, teams would often purposefully not catch the punt-out in order to serially score touchdowns. Rules were tweaked to compel teams to kick for the goal until we arrived at the PAT we all know today. The NFL free-kick for fair catch does preclude the use of a tee, but it does not have to be taken only on a free fair catch when time expires. It can, in fact, be taken at any time, but there is little reason to do so. It is special in that a period can be extended to allow the kick if time has expired, so it’s only practical use is on such downs. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/24 "2009-12-18T02:01:32Z")
Can you drop kick the free kick and score a field goal? ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/25 "2009-12-18T02:22:33Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Can you drop kick the free kick and score a field goal? The fair catch kick? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/26 "2009-12-18T03:22:50Z")
Stupid hockey question that I should know. If a player breaks his stick, can a teammate on the ice give that player his own stick? Earlier this year I saw a player break his stick at the exact time when a teammate took control of the puck and skated up the ice. Could the player with the broken stick have taken the goalie’s stick and the goalie skated to the bench to get a new stick while his team was attacking? The player broke his stick right next to his own goal. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/27 "2009-12-18T03:27:18Z")
It’s illegal to play with a broken stick and you can hand off your stick to another player. Normally the “flow” of sticks is the other way, back to the goaltender. If the goalie breaks his stick a player will hand his to the goalie and play without. If a defenseman breaks his stick a forward will offer his up. The players on the bench are alert to that kind of thing so it’s pretty easy to grab a stick on the way up the ice if on the attacking side. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/28 "2009-12-18T03:29:58Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Stupid hockey question that I should know. If a player breaks his stick, can a teammate on the ice give that player his own stick?.. Yes, and it happens all the time. Usually it’s a forward giving his stick to a defenseman. I’ve even seen players give their stick to a goalie who lost his. Once in a great while the different curve on the blade has caused a clearing attempt to go over the glass, which is a penalty. I’m pretty sure a normal skater can’t use a goalie’s stick. It’s easier and quicker to grab a stick from the bench on the way to the other side of the ice. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/29 "2009-12-18T12:46:53Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > The punt returner is way the hell behind the line of scrimmage, with plenty of time to adjust his position to catch the ball. Sometimes, he’ll signal “fair catch” even with no intent of trying to catch the ball hoping to slow the coverage team to prevent them downing the ball inside the 20 yard line. An actual fair catch is intended to prevent injury/fumbles. Also think there is an oddball rule out there that allows a free kick from the spot of a fair catch. Don’t recall seeing anyone do that, though. Last game of 2008 Packers vs Lions. Fair catch at end of half. Even though time was expired, Packers could try a free kick field goal. (causing much confusion because the teams were already heading to the locker rooms). Unlike Mason Crosby’s recent kicks, it was dead center. Unfortunately it was short (not be very much). I REALLY wish he would have made it because I was there in person and could have said I witnessed the longest sucessful Fair Catch Kick in history. But it wasn’t Interesting, 3 of the 4 successful fair catch kicks invovled the Packers > **[Fair catch kick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick)** > > The fair catch kick is a rule at the professional and high school levels of American football that allows a team that has just made a fair catch to attempt a free kick\[A\] from the spot of the catch. The kick must be either a place kick or a drop kick, and if it passes over the crossbar and between the goalposts of the opposing team's goal, a field goal, worth three points, is awarded to the kicking team. The fair catch kick has its origins in rugby football's goal from mark, which has since bee... Brian ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/30 "2009-12-18T14:36:58Z")
OK, here’s my stupid question that I should know: What are checking rules in the NHL? I mean, I understand blue lines and two-line passes (even though I don’t need to anymore), but somehow never absorbed exactly what a legal check is. ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/31 "2009-12-18T14:49:23Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > OK, here’s my stupid question that I should know: What are checking rules in the NHL? > I mean, I understand blue lines and two-line passes (even though I don’t need to anymore), but somehow never absorbed exactly what a legal check is. Long version: You can use your stick to check the other guy’s stick. You can use your body to check the other guy’s body (but it’s supposed to be a penalty if he doesn’t have the puck.) You can not use your stick on the other guy’s body, whether he has the puck or not. Short version: If the referee watches you do it and doesn’t put his hand up, that’s a legal check. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/32 "2009-12-18T15:16:11Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Interesting, 3 of the 4 successful fair catch kicks invovled the Packers > [Fair catch kick - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick) > > Brian Cool link. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/33 "2009-12-18T15:35:39Z")
> [@KennerTheGreat](#): > > Long version: You can use your stick to check the other guy’s stick. You can use your body to check the other guy’s body (but it’s supposed to be a penalty if he doesn’t have the puck.) You can not use your stick on the other guy’s body, whether he has the puck or not. > > Short version: If the referee watches you do it and doesn’t put his hand up, that’s a legal check. But you can’t hit from behind and drive a player into the boards: that’s boarding. And technically you can’t take a “running” leap at someone either: that’s charging. ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/34 "2009-12-18T16:09:34Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > But you can’t hit from behind and drive a player into the boards: that’s boarding. And technically you can’t take a “running” leap at someone either: that’s charging. The way the game is played now, you could probably call charging or interference 25 times a game. Lots of players will drill their assigned man after he’s passed the puck under the guise of “finishing their check.” Sounds like interference to me. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/35 "2009-12-18T16:35:50Z")
Here’s video of an NFL [free kick](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCBBUMnRqbo) attempt. and just for fun a [drop kick](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Jsz-fSNd4) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/36 "2009-12-18T16:38:14Z")
> [@KennerTheGreat](#): > > The way the game is played now, you could probably call charging or interference 25 times a game. Lots of players will drill their assigned man after he’s passed the puck under the guise of “finishing their check.” Sounds like interference to me. Agreed. But it’s a hell of a lot better than it was a few years back when clutching and grabbing was the status quo. There’s a fine line between interference and finishing the check, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/37 "2009-12-18T16:41:12Z")
I’ve got one. Has there ever been a switch _pitcher_ in baseball? What rules would govern changing from one arm to the other? ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/38 "2009-12-18T16:51:16Z")
> [@wedgehed](#): > > I’ve got one. > > Has there ever been a switch _pitcher_ in baseball? > > What rules would govern changing from one arm to the other? There was [Greg Harris](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Harris_(pitcher,_born_1955)), who did it in one game. He threw left handed to the lefties, and right handed to the righties. There’s also [Pat Venditte](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Venditte) in the minors. One time, he came up against a switch hitter. [Hijinks ensued.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyCRTlKllk) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/39 "2009-12-18T16:54:29Z")
> [@Darth\_Sensitive](#): > > Options are plays where there is a choice of who will take the ball. The quarterback will read a specific defender, to see what he’s doing, then make a choice that makes the defender have picked the wrong thing. A typical option is the QB running wide, with the RB behind and beside him. If the first tackler comes for the QB, he pitches it. If he cuts off the pitch, the QB takes the yardage - Georgia Tech is the best example of this you’ll see. There’s also the halfback option, in which the ball always goes to the running back on a handoff or more commonly a toss (like a normal rushing play) and the running back then has the choice to throw a pass or just run with the ball. This is much more common in the NFL than in college - those touchdown passes LaDanian Tomlinson throws one or two of every year are halfback option passes, although he more or less always throws the pass on that play because he knows he won’t get another chance anytime soon, and his receivers are almost always open because the secondary will stop covering as soon as he gets the ball. There are also option _routes_, in which a receiver will change his route based on what one particular defender is doing. The Colts run option routes almost exclusively - on the deep touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne at the end of last night’s game, the pass was designed to go downfield, but if his cornerback is playing “off” (ie., standing more than a few yards from Wayne to make sure he doesn’t run past him) Wayne breaks off the route 10 yards downfield. Since the corner was playing tight and there was no deep safety on that side, Wayne simply ran straight up the field. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > There’s no such thing as an onside punt. When you punt the ball, you automatically give possession up to the other team. In theory, you could run an onside punt - the punting team automatically gives up possession on a punt, but if the other team touches the ball after it crosses the line of scrimmage, it becomes live. So, in theory, you could simply have your punter kick the ball directly at one of the receiving team’s blockers. If he doesn’t field it properly (and he wouldn’t), your players would be free to pick up the ball, and you’d get a first down even if your player didn’t advance beyond the first down marker. The problem would be hitting a blocker beyond the line of scrimmage, since they’re all running towards you and any who haven’t crossed the line of scrimmage are going to be “covered up” by your own blocker(s). ---
**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657/40 "2009-12-18T17:28:58Z")
> [@KennerTheGreat](#): > > There’s also [Pat Venditte](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Venditte) in the minors. One time, he came up against a switch hitter. [Hijinks ensued.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyCRTlKllk) Ha! That’s great! Thanks! I wonder if MLB has rules in place for when he arrives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-sports-questions-that-you-should-know-but-dont/521657.md?page=3)