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Flop in Basketball: History, Rules, and Impact on the Game

Related Topics: Rasheed Wallace

In the high-paced world of basketball, players constantly push the boundaries to gain an edge over their opponents.

One controversial tactic that has sparked much debate is flopping—an intentional fall or stagger designed to deceive referees into calling a foul.

This act of “acting” not only disrupts the flow of the game but also undermines the integrity of the sport.

To combat this, the NBA introduced a rule in 1997, marking a 4-foot restricted arc near the basket to help officials identify and penalize flops.

By the 2012-13 season, the league took it a step further, imposing fines on players caught flopping.