At the elite level, athletes define some of the best traits in the workforce: commitment, hard work and passion. But in any job, you should know what is and is not allowed in the workplace.
Therefore sportsmen and women should be expected to know the game in which they are carving out a career.
A recent article by Dave Middleton pointed out that some BBL players were caught short by a relatively recent rule change regarding catches on the boundary.
On Saturday night, Josh Lalor of the Sydney Thunder caught Cameron White of the Melbourne Stars out while flirting with the boundary rope. Some have argued the catch was considered legal before a recent rule change and it was only the wording of the particular clause that changed. In any case, it proved that players like Glenn Maxwell and White were not up-to-date with the current rules.
This is not the first such issue, as Dave Middleton points out in his article, with Trent Boult taking a catch where this clause was made keenly aware.
Rule changes are common in sport and one would think elite athletes should be able to, maybe not remember clause by number, but be aware of significant rule changes that could affect them.
For example, Adam Goodes was caught unaware by a rule change a few seasons ago where he kicked the ball through the opposition’s goal, hoping to have a behind and reset the play. Instead, to his disbelief, it was called a free kick for intentionally knocking the ball over the line.
These people represent their sports at the top level and yet, these rule changes went unnoticed by them. Players have a responsibility to know their game. We pay to watch games and see the players in action, so those who are paid to play the game should know the rules by which their actions can be dictated.
In fact, by knowing the rules certain strategies could be made. This is not abusing the system, but using the given rules to the best advantage of a player or team. Josh Lalor managed this successfully.
Perhaps I am overzealous about the issue, however, it seems to me that players who don’t know the rules of their game perhaps are not as committed.
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