The basis of every sport is rules. True to nature, they are never constant. They grow old with the culture, technology, and safety needs. In the present, change of rules is beyond doubt a normal part of the mega-sport, creating ongoing debate between the traditionalist and the modernizer.
A fascinating example is a controversial issue in American Football (NFL) called "tush push"- a player pushes the ball carrier to get necessary yardage. Some critics argue, it is a misuse of the beauty and purity of open play because it largely resorts to brute strength. For others, it lies within the legitimacy of what could be done within the arena of activity and sport.
But it does not entertain rule changes: safety of players affects it. The review and minimal adjustments to the offside rule were conducted in football, treatments of errors with VAR introduction to balance all discrepancies, and fairness regarding officiating. However, some observers believe constant interruptions in VAR disorganize the natural rhythm and hence disrupt matches.
The old sports have now changed. Tennis has closed out the very long matches with tie-breaks, and T-20 cricket was introduced at once for the fastest living audiences. No longer does sport remain in pace with societal shifts; it lets its audience run.
But one question lingers: will every rule change create an alien for an individual sport? The real test is how much newness will blend with the spirit and the traditions that made it so much fun for many people worldwide.
In the end, sports mirror society. The laws must then evolve with the changing times. But preservation of history and soul must guide their progress.
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