Anyone who has watched a professional soccer match has seen it happen. The graze, the touch, the complete whiff and down an opposing player…

Anyone who has watched a professional soccer match has seen it happen. The graze, the touch, the complete whiff and down an opposing player goes as if having been shot from the grassy knoll. Why do they do this? What is the point? How dumb do they think the refs are?

When a player in soccer draws a foul typically some small amount of incidental contact has occurred in a way that, if severe enough, would warrant a free kick or even a booking. The advantage given to the receiving team can be significant, sometimes resulting in a goal opportunity. Where things get carried away is when a flop is performed by a player. This is a case where nothing has actually happened warranting a foul, but the attempt is to create the appearance of one to the referree thereby drawing a foul or a booking.

As you can see, so often the “flop” is such an exaggerated response that anyone who isn’t wearing a blindfold can see it is fake. To many it is considered cheating. To most, it is considered ridiculous and bad sportsmanship. It is also one of the most common points of criticism for soccer as a sport in the United States.

The flop seems to be most common in men’s soccer, but also happens in all other sports. The question is…is the sport diminished through this behavior? I have to admit I find watching teams, especially in international soccer, who “flop” frequently to be frustrating and worthy of being rooted against with full force. No matter how strategic, tactical, or whatever rationale you want to use, the flop is unnecessary and violates the integrity of the game.

Spend some time watching U16 or less soccer and you won’t find this an issue. It isn’t tolerated. It shouldn’t be at the higher levels as well since those are the levels set as role models for the younger players. Why accept this behavior from role models in the sport?

What do you think? Is there a place for the flop in soccer or does it need to be regulated out of existence?

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