Forgotten Sports Rules explores the captivating history of outdated and bizarre regulations in major sports, showcasing how these forgotten rules have shaped the games we know today.
By examining the evolution of sports rules, the book reveals how sports adapt and change, reflecting societal values and gameplay strategies.
For example, early football rules restricting the forward pass aimed to limit scoring, while early hockey regulations attempted to enhance player safety by limiting checking.
The book progresses by theme across chapters, first introducing the concept and significance of forgotten rules.
It then explores rules designed to increase scoring, enhance player safety, and those reflecting societal values of the time. Forgotten Sports Rules is unique because, rather than focusing on star athletes, it examines the often-overlooked world of rule changes and their impact on the sports themselves.
Drawing from rulebooks, newspaper articles, and player interviews, the book adopts a narrative tone, presenting information in an accessible and engaging way.
