Quote:
Originally Posted by jammies
I agree that it's only really the overacting well after the play that draws my ire, but how is it that CFL/NFL players can run full tilt, get HIT (not barely brushed!) and stay up, yet a tiny touch will send these guys flying like acrobats? I'm not talking about tackles where the legs get taken out, where it's pretty obvious they are really going down - that's understandable and can't be helped.
But it just seems the default action for far too many players is "feel a bit of contact, hit the pitch, hope for a free kick or maybe even a card!" I have far more respect for players that are clearly more concerned about keeping the play going, and keeping on their feet as much as they can, than I do for those that want to show how gracefully they can greet the turf. Further, there's plenty of times where a tactical opportunity is lost because the player is more concerned with getting a hypothetical advantage than the REAL advantage in front of him if he only could stay on his feet to make a play.
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Isn't this mentality one reason why Canada is awful compared to the rest of the world?
I'm not singling you out, nor do I disagree with what you're saying.
Perhaps looking at "diving" or embellishment as a question of strategy and tactics as opposed to a matter of honour or sportsmanship would change this mindset a little bit.
edit: kinda jumped all over that without thoroughly reading it and realizing that you addressed my point before I even made it. my bad.
And your last comment is quite accurate. I've lost count of the amount of times an Italian player has gone down in the box when a cross is on the way in, hoping to get a penalty (which they never will) while at the same time taking themselves right out of the play.