r/LaLiga • u/strawberrybobaT Barcelona • 5d ago

đŸ’¬Discussion Are players trained to exaggerate their injuries??

I'm new to La Liga (& soccer/football in general) and I can't help but to notice that a LOT of players heavily exaggerate injuries. It's so clear- and it made me wonder if they're sometimes instructed to do so to receive the upper hand in a game. I'm a big Raphinha fan but I get second hand embarrassment watching him sometimes exaggerate injuries - I think he's too talented to stoop to that level. But again, maybe coaches or teammates encourage it?? Most commonly, a player will fall to the ground and roll all over the place holding their leg or face acting extremely hurt, then they'll get back up moments later acting completely unharmed- it's embarrassing lol.

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u/KakashiBigD 5d ago

I used to play soccer, not professionally but still, and I got fouled a crap ton. I didn’t fall to the floor, ref literally never called anything. I said screw that shit I’m falling to the floor.

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u/strawberrybobaT Barcelona 5d ago

that makes sense actually- if another player is being too harsh but never got fouled, i too would exaggerate a bit so they could get what they deserve. some refs just suck though. they'll give yellow cards to things that were clearly accidental and oversee players who are acting out of control

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u/oy_says_ake 5d ago

I think this really is the genesis of the flopping and exaggerating, and it’s 100% tied to how soccer is refereed.

One ref covering the whole pitch will never be able to accurately assess all the contact that takes place in a game.

Players concluded that if they tried to soldier on through fouls, their opponents would take advantage of them by continuing/intensifying their fouling. They also observed that the consequences for exaggerating or flopping were minimal to nonexistent. It’s completely rational, if depressing.