Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff have been diligently preparing for various game scenarios, as evidenced by their recent strategic move against Ohio State. While Lanning did not explicitly confirm the intentional 12th player on the field, he acknowledged the planned nature of the action. This incident prompted the NCAA to issue a new interpretation allowing the game clock to be reset in similar situations.
Such strategic maneuvers are not uncommon in sports. In 2018, California employed intentional penalties to secure a victory, leading to rule adjustments. Similarly, NBA teams used the 'Hack-a-Shaq' tactic to exploit Shaquille O'Neal's free-throw struggles until rule modifications were introduced in 2016.
In hockey, Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers strategically took penalties to create on-ice advantages, prompting rule changes to prevent such tactics. NFL cornerback Lester Hayes infamously used stickum to enhance his performance until the substance was banned in 1981.
Notable instances of rule-bending extend beyond American sports. In soccer, the 'Disgrace of Gijon' during the 1982 World Cup highlighted the need for simultaneous final group stage games to prevent collusion between teams.
These examples underscore the ongoing battle between innovation and rule enforcement in sports. As teams continue to push boundaries in search of competitive edges, governing bodies must adapt to maintain fairness and integrity in the game.
