10 Weird Sports Rules that You Didn’t Know About

Even if you are a huge sports fan, we are sure that there are many weird sports rules that you didn’t know about. You can boost the engine power of a Formula E car with a Tweet or observe ice hockey players to beat each other following strict fighting rules. After all, sports are fun with rules. Here is the list of 10 weird sports rules that you didn’t know about:

1)  Fanboost – Formula E

Image credit: Michelin Alley

Social media has become an essential part of our daily lives. The significance of social media has come to a point that you can interfere with the outcome of a car rally via your Twitter and Instagram accounts. If you are a Formula E fan, all you need to do is using the hashtags of #fanboost and #nameofyourfavoriterallydriver. You can also cast your vote via Fia Formula E website. Voting is open 12 days before the race and six minutes into it. Three drivers who get the most votes have an extra 100kj of energy available to use in their second cars only. The extra energy can be used in a power window between 180kw and 200kw. Fanboost deserves a good place among the top 10 weird sports rules.

2) DRS (Drag Reduction System) – Formula 1

Image credit: Formula1

Drag Reduction System (DRS) is maybe the most interesting rule of Formula 1. This system is used for keeping the Formula 1 cars on the ground. However, this system can be used to takeover during races with altering the angle of the rear wing flap. In this way, the gravity, which pulls the car down, loses its power and the car starts flying (almost). This technology is strictly controlled. Drivers can use it only during takeover if they are less than a second behind their opponents. Weird enough, the driver who defends his place cannot use it against the superfast driver behind him. Drivers can use DRS during practice and qualifying within the designated zones. Race director can suspend the system if the weather condition is not good enough or there are yellow flags in the DRS zones.

3) Can’t hit Above Shoulders – Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is known for it is resemblance to UFC on ice. These big guys can go really aggressive from time to time and start beating each other. This is usually allowed. However, it doesn’t mean that Ice Hockey is the sport of lawless wild men. As a matter of fact, players cannot hit the puck above the shoulders, so that they won’t hit someone in the head while trying to hit the puck. They can only raise their sticks in order to call for a pass. After all, it is not a flag pole, is it?

4) Strict Attire Rules – Gymnastics

Gymnastics symbolizes the domination of mind over body. However, there is a body which dominates everything: International Federation of Gymnastics. The gymnastics attire leotards have to conform to the rules of the federation. Female leotards cannot be cut above hip height. It shouldn’t be cut above the shoulder blades either. Transparent leotards and white stockings are also against the rules. According to online betting news, many gymnasts have been penalized due to the length of their attire.

5) Late Game Timeouts – NBA

Image credit: Turner

NBA teams can call two full timeouts in the last two minutes of games. It is essential since the last part of a game is vital in terms of final tactical reasoning in order to win the game unless there is a huge score difference already. However, 4 full timeouts in 2 minutes reduce the flow of the game drastically turning into a chess game. Well, to make it more interesting you can bet on NBA online and at least experience the excitement of betting.

6)  Own Goal is Credited to the Closest Opponent – NBA

In soccer, an own goal is credited to the original scorer with a note (OG) next to it. However, NBA rules say that the closest opponent gets the credit for the own score. For instance, if Stephen Curry comes to a game high and puts the ball into his own basket, the closest player who happens to be Lebron James gets the credit for the score without moving his finger. It is a matter of curiosity why the scorer doesn’t get the credit with a notice like in soccer. NBA rules are definitely more complicated than they seem. Thefore, you should go ahead and check our Online Basketball Betting Guide to learn how to bet on basketball online properly.

7) Goalies Have to Keep the Sleeves Down – Soccer

Petr Chech (Image credit: Telegraph)

Goalkeepers are the privileged members on the pitch. They wear different uniforms, gloves and they can touch the ball without the fear of being penalized by an angry referee. But being privileged means having different rules on the shoulders. According to soccer rules, goalies have to keep their sleeves down. What if the summer friendly games under the heating sun? Soccer rules don’t care about the weather conditions. The aim of this rule is protecting the wrists and arms of goalkeepers. It is also important for referees since they can see whether a goalkeeper or a player play the ball with hand. What is the reason it has to be among the top 10 weird sports rules.

8) You can Forget Your Underwear at Home, but Don’t Forget Signing the Score Card – Golf

Image credit: About

Signing the score card is more than essential in golf as it may mean the disqualification of player. You may think that there are many people to check the score of the game. Moreover, player can fill the card without signing it. However, in professional golf this issue is taken very seriously. You’d better forget your underwear at home rather than forgetting to sign the score card.

9) Don’t Kick Genital and Don’t Splash Water to the Face – Water Polo

Water polo is quite safe for the genitals since the players who attempt to do it to their opponents can be banished from the game. Therefore, the future of the family is under protection by the rules. Moreover, players cannot splash water to the faces of their opponents. Well, these rules are understandable in terms of protecting the health of players. However, it is hard to control legs and splashing water in a huge pool while trying to be fast and strong. That is why it is among the top 10 weird sports rules ever.

10) Can’t Score from Throw-in unless Ball Touches Another Player – Soccer

Here is another weird soccer rule which deserves to be among the top 10 weird sports rules. Players cannot score from throw-in unless ball touches another player on the way. Well, throwing 50 meters and hoping that somebody would touch the ball on the way to the goal is a bit dream-like. For example, if Messi throws the ball into goal and Keylor Navas doesn’t touch it, score won’t change unless Arda Turan flies and kicks the ball in the last moment. Now you can bet on soccer online now that you have enough information about weird soccer rules.