The Physics of Flopping a New Academic Study on an Unsportsmanlike Maneuver Might Want to Seek Input from a Sports Legend
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Winners and Losers The Physics of Flopping A new academic study on an unsportsmanlike maneuver might want to seek input from a sports legend hile the issue of “flop- real contact—though hockey has tried officially to address ping” in basketball has the issue of players “diving” (a less pejorative cousin of Wbeen around for decades, “flopping”) with a rule that prohibits “embellishment.” the NBA’s newly instituted policy for the just-concluded 2012–2013 It is unclear how useful the study may be to other season has created more debate. sports. Will the physics of flopping be applicable to the The NBA now allows post-game flop shot in golf? Or the flop in Texas hold ’em? And what review of potential flopping inci- about high jumping? With no disrespect to Dr. Weyand at dents and authorizes fines from SMU, I am surprised that Cuban did not reach out to BOB LATHAM $5,000 for a first offense to $30,000 someone whose expertise in the art of the flop is the stuff for a fourth offense, with speedier of legend (and Mazda commercials), and who is still very escalation during the playoffs. much involved in sports and the Olympic movement: Dick Twenty-four fines were levied during the regular season Fosbury. I was able to confirm with Fosbury that he is not and eight in the playoffs. offended by this omission. Instead, he stated: “I’m very curious about this announcement by Mark Cuban to study Even before the full results of the NBA’s enforcement flopping, since it has been efforts were in, however, they were apparently not suffi- Once Again, Dallas used successfully in high cient for one rather vocal scrutinizer of NBA officiating. Mavericks Owner jumping for 45 years now. Once again, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has I just hope for Mr. Cuban’s decided to put his money where his mouth is—this time Mark Cuban Has sake that the study doesn’t by awarding a grant of more than $100,000 to SMU for an Decided To Put His turn out to be a flop.” 18-month study on flopping. The press release of June 7 Money Where His announcing the grant states: “Flopping is a player’s delib- Mouth Is. Fosbury developed the erate act of falling or recoiling unnecessarily from a nearby “Fosbury flop” in high opponent to deceive game officials.” The SMU study, led jumping because he had by biomechanics expert Peter G. Weyand, will look at, not had as much success among other things, “how much force is required to cause with the traditional “straddle” jump. By contrast, some suc- a legitimate loss of balance” and whether it is possible “to cessful and prominent NBA players resort to flopping as a enhance video reviews by adding a scientific element.” way to justify a win by any means necessary, even if they crit- icize the practice when it is performed against them. While a Cuban declined to single out any particular floppers role player like Vlade Divac someday may have his own who were catalysts for his study. Rather, via email he wing in the Flopping Hall of Fame (the ground for which will explained: “this is all about the physics of flopping and my never be broken if Cuban’s study is successful), even a four- curiosity. If we can understand the math better, we can time MVP like LeBron James has the flop in his arsenal. In officiate the game better.” Physics? Math? Those academic fact, two of Miami’s “Big Three”—James and Chris Bosh— departments may be pleased to hear speak of something were fined for flopping in the playoffs. Shaquille O’Neal, other than team “chemistry.” But anyone who has sat near who throughout his career was very critical of flopping, was Mark Cuban at a Mavericks game might be surprised to also called out on occasion for a flop—once even by his own learn that he believes NBA officials can grasp concepts such coach, Stan Van Gundy, to which Shaq retorted, “Flopping as physics and math. would describe his coaching.” The SMU study will certainly have implications for soc- Will Cuban’s study produce a scientific way to curb cer as well, where flopping is often accompanied by a the practice? Time will tell. But until then, Fosbury says, “I degree of drama that would make a Hollywood stunt man remain available to consult on the technique.” envious. The problem of flopping is more insidious in sports like basketball and soccer where there is contact but Bob Latham is a partner at the law firm Jackson Walker, L.L.P., and an not legal collisions. In the NFL and NHL, the players have International Rugby Board member. A compilation of his best columns their own way of self-policing floppers, and the fake con- titled “Winners & Losers: Rants, Riffs and Reflections on the World of tact might soon be replaced by some intentional and very Sports,” is available in the Media Zone at SportsTravelMagazine.com. SportsTravelMagazine.com July 2013 | 41 .