Highest scored questions
6,225 questions
97
votes
7
answers
309k
views
Points are given in tennis 15-30-40. Why 40?
Tennis scoring goes 15-30-40-game. Why 40? Why not 45? What is the meaning of the points being given in tennis as 15-30-40-game? What is the history of this scoring calculation?
- 1,242
75
votes
8
answers
16k
views
Why is FIFA against adding instant replay to the game?
Is there any evidence or reason why FIFA is so against adding instant replay to soccer? I find myself seeing many unlucky or just plain wrong decisions made by refs that could be corrected with ...
- 1,399
61
votes
5
answers
54k
views
Is it legal to throw an alley-oop to yourself in a real game?
In this video, a college basketball player steals the ball, races down court, and avoids the defender by throwing a pass to himself off the backboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...
- 3,296
59
votes
2
answers
43k
views
Why are professional athletes allowed to compete in the Olympic games?
When the International Olympic Committee was formed in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin, he intended the athletes competing in the Olympics to only be amateur athletes.
The definition of an amateur ...
- 1,141
58
votes
13
answers
34k
views
Are there any sports for which the world's best player is female?
For this question I'm referring to sports in which men and women can compete together on equal terms (even if they often don't). For example, rock climbing would count (if they climb the same rock and ...
- 883
56
votes
7
answers
11k
views
How is offside determined in football?
The offside rule on the pitch is often unclear and called suddenly. How do I know if a player is offside?
- 9,241
51
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why was the marathon World Record not 2:03:02 in 2011?
Why exactly was Geoffrey Mutai's 2:03:02 in Boston (2011) not deemed the marathon World Record at the time?
- 2,848
48
votes
7
answers
12k
views
In cricket, how is it decided from which end to start the match?
In cricket, how is it decided from which end to start the match? Is this a per-ground convention, a decision of the umpires, or either of the captains? Is each innings necessarily started from the ...
- 3,197
44
votes
5
answers
32k
views
Why do some swimmers wear two caps?
Just now I saw Michael Phelps competing in the 400m Medley heats (London Olympics 2012). After he finished the race, I saw him take off two caps. I can imagine that a swimmer uses one, but what is the ...
- 1,413
41
votes
4
answers
13k
views
Can a football team force its defeat, e.g. via own goals?
On Thursday at 2pm GMT, the football matches for group H of the World Cup 2018 will begin. By 4 pm GMT, the fate of that group will be decided.
Let us assume that Japan comes first and Colombia ...
- 996
39
votes
6
answers
6k
views
What factors give a "Home Advantage" and how big is it?
Often you hear about the team whose ground the match is being played at having a "home advantage".
During a discussion with a friend they said teams go as far as to style the opposing teams changing ...
- 2,899
39
votes
7
answers
31k
views
Is it legal in racket sports to pass the racket from one hand to the other?
Can you hit with different hands during the same
point?
set?
match?
Also, is racket throwing authorised?
38
votes
1
answer
29k
views
Which is more likely to result in a goal: a penalty shot or a power play?
Statistically speaking, is a hockey team (in the NHL) more likely to score on a power play or with a penalty shot?
Often times this is something I wonder when a player is tripped on a near breakaway ...
- 615
37
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Why would you ever allow an opponent to score?
Watching Super Bowl XLVI, I noticed near the end of the game the New England Patriots allowed the New York Giants to score a touchdown uncontested.
At this point in the game, the Patriots were ...
- 4,675
34
votes
5
answers
168k
views
"53 has the Mic" means what in American Football?
I frequently hear quarterbacks say something like "53 has the mic" when pointing out the defensive formation. Usually the player number that he points out is a linebacker.
I believe the defensive ...
- 1,399