What is Gooning?
Gooning is a term used in the sports world to describe a style of play that tops the lists of ignorant, distasteful and deplorable tactics used by certain athletes (and in some cases, fans) to get what they want during a game. Gooning generally describes an act of physical intimidation, usually involving a player pushing or throwing their body weight into another player in order to gain a better position. It’s a tactic that crosses the line of fair play into the realm of foul play, and it’s one that is met with a severe backlash from both the referees and fans.
In a typical instance of gooning, a player might deliberately use their body to knock into an opposing player who is trying to block or tackle them. This can involve pushing or shoving the opponent, or simply stalling the game by taking up too much space on the pitch. There are also cases of players intentionally tripping, elbowing or headbutting opponents. These kinds of acts are more likely to occur during intense physical battles, like those seen in soccer, hockey and basketball.
Impact of Gooning
Gooning has a severe negative impact both on the game and its players. For starters, it creates a hostile environment that puts players at risk of harm. As the game turns more violent, the play becomes sloppy and intensely physical. Players who attempt to goon their opponents often receive serious punishments from the referees, ranging from yellow cards to red cards. In some instances, a player’s entire team can be penalized for a gooning-related incident.
At the same time, gooning can bring with it off-field consequences. The act of gooning is interpreted as an egregious display of disrespect, and players can be heavily criticized or even dropped from their team if they cross the line. Events such as the Ray Rice-Janay Palmer incident in the NFL (in which Rice assaulted his wife) suggest the potential long-term consequences of the act of gooning.
Gooning in Sports Today
Though gooning has become increasingly uncommon in modern sports, there are still instances of this kind of unsportsmanlike behavior. Currently, gooning appears most frequently in the NBA, where an “active game” is often played by aggressive players such as Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard.
In some cases, these physical battles can be beneficial for the game by creating more intense rivalries and high-stakes moments. However, it’s something that referees are constantly trying to combat, as it can often take away from the beauty and elegance of the sport. It’s also a reminder of how physical contact, when used recklessly and without respect, can have severe consequences not just on athletic fields but in everyday life.