I'm a complete outsider to the sport, and as far as I know, hockey is the only major sport that allows actual fighting during the course of a game, even at the pro level. Why is this?
2007-12-20 03:48:10 · 24 answers · asked by lsudolemite 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Maybe I should clarify: when I say "major sport" I mean any sport where fighting isn't the object of the game (e.g., football, soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey, etc: the object is to score points, runs, goals, etc.) I'm curious, because football is also an intense, physical sport, but fighting on the field gets you ejected/fined. Same with baseball, basketball and so on.
2007-12-20 08:12:39 · update #1
You forgot about boxing daddy-o.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION: It is allowed, because it is part of the game. Imagine football with out the blitz, basketball with no "out of bounds", or baseball with no stealing bases. It just the way it is. Fighting makes for a more exciting game, and also it allows differences to be settled.
wilderr67: You don't want to fight me. I bite ears.
2007-12-20 03:51:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Hockey is an intense sport, and the guys that play it compete very intensely. Not only is it intense, but it's also difficult, moreso than any other sport in North America.
And when teams battle so hard, and come up with nothing to show for it if they lose, they can get very agitated.
Also, some people battle harder than others, and get in your face an awful lot.
Some people are out on the ice simply to start trouble.
The reason it's allowed is because tempers flare, and players and officials alike recognize this. Fighting allows teams to alleviate that anger, let it out in a therapeutic(!) way.
Another thing you have to realize is that there IS an unwritten code in place when fights occur.
1. For one, they have to be done while play is active
2. A good, clean fight is always one-on-one.
3. Both players involved in a good fight have to agree to it.
4. Both players in a good fight will remove all equipment that can potentially cause an injury. Gloves, helmets and visors.
5. Only fists will be used.
6. The fight is over when a player falls to the ice.
7. No official shall interfere unless a player falls to the ice, or the two combatants take too long to throw a punch.
2007-12-20 03:58:58 · answer #2 · answered by Goth Skunk 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You're one of the few mature ones to ask this question recently. I don't know about hockey being the "only major sport that allows actual fighting" considering UFC is starting to become a major sport.
Fighting in hockey has been around since the 1800s. It has been fused as a part of the game as much as passing and shooting, and there are strategic values to fights (think team morale).
2007-12-20 03:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Interesting that you bring up the notion of cartharsis Ian. Some studies have actually proven the opposite, venting anger actually increases your anger rather than reducing it.
Fistfights are fun, they should introduce it into more sports!
Haha Willie... Hockey is a little too fast paced for me to believe that every time the players make an aggressive move they apply a pro and con list and then have an internal debate about what the smartest move is.
2007-12-20 04:07:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To expand on Andrew V:
It's even more penalized in amatuer and collegiate leagues. The penalty is the same, but the fight is usually broken up quicker. Additionally, the "dirty" play is also more often called.
I agree fighting is a necessary tool to keep the sport clean. If not there would be a lot more cheap shots on the goalies and better players. I'd think twice about taking a cheap shot on another team's star especially when I know they are going to just send out some goon to fight me later. From a player's point of view he has to ask himself the following questions:
A) Am I going to get away with the cheap shot to begin with? (2 minutes in the box..maybe if I don't)
B) If I do..what kind of ***-whuppin' am I gonna get from a goon?
C) I'll have to fight the goon anyway and so I'll end up in the box for 5 minutes.
If my team is down by a point, do I really want to chance giving the opponent a power play just to rough up a star or goalie?
2007-12-20 04:06:29 · answer #5 · answered by Willie D 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because guys would use the stick as a weapon if they didn't have fighting. European hockey doesn't allow fighting and the is the dirtiest league around. Players hook and spear each other all the time when the refs aren't looking.
2007-12-20 06:05:10 · answer #6 · answered by Thomas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fighting is allowed. If it were not, linesmen would break it up immediately.
There are two main reasons for a fight:
1. To self-police. Players who take cheap shots and make dirty hits will have to answer to the consequences, even if it is not caught by an official.
2. To steer momentum in a game. Winning or losing a fight can have a HUGE impact in a game, and be a turning point that changes the outcome.
For more on the history of fighting, and the unwritten code of fighting in the NHL. Read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Code-Unwritten-Rules-Fighting-Retaliation/dp/1572437561/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198170260&sr=8-1
2007-12-20 04:04:50 · answer #7 · answered by c_noyes 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why is it allowed? Because some fans enjoy violence. Hockey fights are much wilder, and more violent than boxing.It is the only place where bare knuckled brawling is legal. It will always be a second class sport in america is they dont clean it up. People who enjoy violence have problems. Most people see this type of violence as ugly, but if you ask hockey fans you will get a different response. I wonder what it is in them that makes them enjoy seeing someone getting punched in the face? They need to ask themselves that question
2007-12-20 04:34:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
To get more people to watch in order to maintain ratings b/c the NHL was on their way out a few years back and the NHL allowing fighting is a huge plus for people to see then guys with skates on which is why Hockey is a tough sport b/c of the fights and hard pushing that's the reasons why and if taken away I'll whether watch Nancy Karrigan back out there again.
2007-12-20 03:54:47 · answer #9 · answered by Nick B 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Technically they are not allowed. Players are penalized at least five minets for fighting. I could be more if certain circumstances prevail.
Fighting is a way to cut down of infractions with elbows and sticks. Some argue that the installation of the instigator rule has caused more violent "cheap" acts because players don't have to be accountable for their actions.
Basically fighting is a way to "police" the game and it may sound silly but it helps keep the game clean.
2007-12-20 03:53:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋