It is called many names. Flopping, as it is called in basketball, hockey, etc., or diving, in soccer, is essentially an art that is mastered by the veterans of the games. Flopping is defined as exaggerated or feigned contact in order to force the referee to call a foul, which will penalize the opposing team. Flopping is essentially an art, and when used correctly, can help influence the referee to penalize the opposing team.
Why Is It Done?
Flopping's simplest motive is to penalize the opposing team to a point where it will benefit their team. In basketball, for example, players can foul out of games after picking up a certain number of fouls (6). In addition, it could force the referee to call a flagrant foul, one of the most powerful calls in basketball, which has the ability to eject a player instantaneously. In soccer, exaggerated contact could be enough to book a player with a yellow or even red card. In hockey, flopping can be used to earn their team a power play (where the team plays a certain amount of time with one less player). Because flopping can benefit their teams in so many ways, players continue to practice and master the art of flopping, despite the opinions of the fans.
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Advantages/Disadvantages
Quite frankly, there are few disadvantages when it comes to mastering the art of flopping. Experienced players are so sneaky that they are able to get away with flopping almost at their will, without catching the eye of the referee (Examples include Chris Paul, notable for making flopping a trend in the NBA). Many sports are trying to do more to ensure retribution to the players who are caught flopping. For example, in the NBA, just 2 years ago, initiated a new system where players can be fined for every penalty. This rule states that every time the NBA catches them flopping, they are fined, up to a maximum of 30,000 dollars (or more if they continue to violate the standards). These types of rules are essential in bringing order, especially in the postseason, where a single play could determine whether or not a team is eliminated.
On the other hand, flopping represents numerous benefits. In basketball, flopping could even lead to the potential ejection of a player, and the same can be said for soccer. This is key in disposing of a team's star player, which would make the team much easier to beat without them. The main advantage is the opportunity of penalizing the opposing team when they shouldn't have been punished, which can lead to all sorts of possibilities and benefits that could arise from the referee.
When Will It End?
In truth, while many sports have attempted to stamp out flopping, the fact is that flopping will just never truly go away. There is too much upside for floppers to continue doing what they're doing. In fact, it is so common that flopping has become an essential element in some sports, and while fans are upset sometimes that players get away with it, we would all know that our way of playing sports would never be the same without the presence of flopping.