The Hidden Rules in Sports

By: T. Fakhoury 

When you first start playing a sport, you might learn the basic rules and what they mean for different positions in the game. Or, you might just be an average fan who enjoys watching sports on TV. Either way, you may think you know the rules perfectly. However, in sports, there are unwritten rules—rules you don’t see when signing the terms and conditions. These are the hidden rules of sports.

In basketball, there are moments when the game is coming to an end, and one team is already winning by 20 or 30 points. One hidden rule in this situation is to “run the clock out”—you don’t need to score if the game is already decided. For example, in 2020, the New York Knicks were trailing by 18 points to the Memphis Grizzlies with under a minute left to play. New York lazily inbounded the ball, only for Memphis player Jae Crowder to steal the pass. Crowder ran to the corner and shot a three-pointer without wasting time off the clock. This led to Elfrid Payton shoving him to the ground and a big fight breaking out between players and coaches.

We can also see these hidden rules in football. For example, showboating—doing tricks and spins to embarrass defenders—has become controversial. Players like Neymar and Vinícius Júnior often use these flashy moves, which can frustrate defenders. The usual consequence of showboating is being tackled hard, or sometimes even starting a fight. This unwritten rule might soon become an official one. In a recent match, Memphis Depay, a Corinthians player, jumped on the ball with both feet, provoking a massive brawl against Palmeiras. As a result, the Brazilian Football League now gives yellow cards to players who attempt this trick again.

There are many more unwritten rules in sports, and they can vary depending on the level you play or the country you’re in. Some involve sportsmanship during injuries—like kicking the ball out of bounds—and date back to the 1990s. Unwritten rules have always been a part of sports culture. The most important thing is to always be respectful and acknowledge the efforts of all players, even if you win.

So next time you watch a game, you might have a fun fact to share with others—one of the hidden rules that make sports more than just a game.