Chapter 2 Flashcards
Constitutive rules
Rules that guide play within a specific game
Rules that guide play within a specific game
Help equalize competition for fairness and also comparison
Restrict game actions
Used to attain game’s goal
Constitutive rules
Standardization
Separates levels of achievement Meaningful comparisons Examples: Age in little league Weight in wrestling
Physical environment (standardization)
Football field 100 yards
Basketball rim 10’ from floor
Length of games, # of players, eligibility of participants
Specifies to all players what actions are permissible during games
In essence, what they do is standardize the playing environment so that each athlete has an equal opportunity to excel
Proscriptive rules
Expressly forbid specific actions often because of the associated high risk of injury
Established to prohibit players from intentionally trying to harm an opponent
Some rules legislated by past incidences
Examples:
Spearing or chop blocks in football, side tackling from behind in soccer, undercutting in basketball
Why do leagues try to be very proactive in curtailing such actions with fines/suspensions?
Prevent interference from governmental authorities
Keep “on-field” incidences out of the courts
Sportsmanship rules
The inherent quality in playing a game in which one is honor-bound to follow the spirit and letter of the rules
Designed to prevent ethically questionable and sometimes violent conduct
Examples:
Technical fouls in basketball, cards in soccer, tennis and golf make own calls
Too often rules are established to control or discourage violent behaviors
Different human cultures of sport
How did you learn to play sports? Other people, not books! What is taught will vary by: Country or even geographic region Illegal tactics Taught to gain an edge Officials + consistency = fairness Example: Strike zone interpretation
Overlooking rules violations
Unwritten agreements in sport
Basketball - traveling
Hockey - third - period minor violations
Baseball - phantom tag (double play)
What is the most accurate indicator of excellence in sport?
Winning?
Process of competition?
More than just about winning and skill; must also practice moral behavior
Characteristics of excellence
Are independent of winning or losing - more than outcome
Best performance
Respect for opposition - before, during, and after
Meaningful winning
Practicing and playing hard
Playing within rules
Overemphasis on winning
Process of competition De-emphasized
Breaking constitutive rules - otherwise outcome is meaningless
Excellence without winning?
Personal best
Ego orientation
Success is winning or losing
