Fouls In Rock Paper Scissors.

Like in any other sport, the Rock Paper Scissors game also has some fouls peculiar to it. These fouls are either illegal in nature or completely unacceptable. The interpretation of these fouls is considered as having a negative impact on the game of RPS and denting its image. In order to ensure compliance with those actions that are not accepted in the world of RPS, there is a compilation of fouls that every player, ref, and spectator must learn and remember. The knowledge of these fouls is especially useful for players to help them avoid mistakes that can cost them points and the match. Here, we explain five fouls and their punishments.

·        Illegal Throws

Illegal throws are those throws that are not accepted in standard Rock Paper Scissors tournaments. The list of these throws continues to expand as a result of people’s intention to modify the Rock Paper Scissors game. A few examples of these throws include dynamite, Spock, lizard, well, water, fire, and Texas longhorn. It is discovered that the addition of these throws into the game will alter the originality and uniqueness of the game. As a result, the RPS authorities have continued to reject any move to include these throws strongly. In order to protect against addition and modification of any kind, the authorities expressly ban these moves and consider them illegal to use.

Should any of the players in an RPS match extend an illegal throw, he would be penalized. Usually, the punishment for this foul is an automatic disqualification. In some cases, the ref may be considerate to issue just one warning or remove a point from the player’s score. In other instances where the ref is a hard one, the player may suffer an immediate loss and shameful removal from the venue. The ref must be updated as to the list of illegal throws in order to know when one has been used.

·        Questionable Throws

Questionable throws are a bit similar to illegal throws. The difference is just that questionable throws are not completely illegal and require consideration of intent. That is, what the thrower intends while extending such throw. Questionable throws feature indecisive throws or improper hand positions. Therefore, in order to decide whether to punish the thrower or not, the ref must consider whether the throw was just an error. In understanding questionable throws, it is either the throw was recognized as a rookie error or error out of being inexperienced. A popular example of a questionable throw is the throw of Vertical Paper.

The interpretation of the throws in this category all boils down to the ref. If he believes the player is nervous or inexperienced, he may wave the foul and allows the game to continue. Otherwise, he may give the player a simple warning. However, the warning must be given just once in other not to frustrate the other player or lose his respect.

·        Stalemate

This is a condition that is unavoidable in the Rock Paper Scissors game. It will be extremely difficult, if not totally impossible not to witness. Stalemate is the condition where the players extend the same hand gestures upon the call for a throw. In other words, stalemate is a situation where the two players make the same throws. For instance, a stalemate occurs where the two players throw Rock Rock, Scissors Scissors, or Paper Paper. In this case, the interpretation will be that both throws beat each other. In an RPS game where the players are more than two like in the elimination RPS game, it would be regarded as a circular stalemate if the players extend the same throws. When a stalemate occurs, the ref will simply request the players to replay the round. This is often called a rethrow. A rethrow means the round should be replayed until one of the players achieves a decisive win.

·        Physical Contact Or Hitting

In the knowledge of the general public and participants, the Rock Paper Scissors game is a non-contact sport. Therefore there should not be any case where any form of physical contact will occur during the match. Of course, the players can make a good gesture by shaking hands before the match starts but nothing more. If a player hits the other player’s hand during the game, it is a foul, and the punishment is usually a loss of the match. One of the reasons why player contact is prohibited is to avoid bodily injury. For instance, before banning physical contact, when a player throws Rock, and the opponent throws Scissors, the Rock thrower would hit the other player’s hand as a form of interpreting that Rock crushes Scissors. This often resulted in bodily injury. Another of such reasons is the fact that bullying may occur as a result of physical contact between players. It is easy to uphold the rule since RPS itself is a non-contact sport.

·        Obnoxious Behavior

Oftentimes, players in the RPS game may act recklessly toward one another. Their behaviors sometimes may be characterized by blatant disregard instead of athletic bravado. There is a difference between trying to manipulate the other opponent by posture, movement, or words and exhibiting a detestable character. In exhibiting obnoxious behavior, the player may display disrespect for his opponent, the ref, the spectators, and the RPS game. For instance, verbal assaults are considered obnoxious. Using some certain slangs and hand signals like the “F*** you” sign are regarded as obnoxious and therefore prohibited in the RPS game. The opponent, the ref, and the spectators can be guilty and as well victims of obnoxious behavior.

It is the duty of the ref to be able to assess each of the players’ behavior in order to decide whether the player needs to be punished or let go. The kind of punishment to be meted out is at the discretion of the ref. He may choose to issue a simple warning, impose a loss of point, or disqualify, depending on the situation’s severity.