Head-scratching rulebooks

Why sumo wrestlers can’t drive—plus 9 more weird sports rules

Image: Nathan Shively

Sports are full of strange rules—some meant to prevent chaos, others just plain bizarre. From bans on fake beards to strict limits on chess players' bathroom breaks, these odd regulations often have surprising reasons behind them. Here are 10 of the weirdest sports rules that will leave you scratching your head.

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Believe it or not, Japan’s pro baseball league bans artificial beards. In an effort to maintain a clean, professional look, the Nippon Professional Baseball league prohibits players from wearing fake facial hair. Real beards are fine, but if it’s glued on, it’s against the rules.

Image: Paul Chambers

Left-handed play was banned in polo for safety reasons. Since 1974, all polo players must use their right hand to hold the mallet. This prevents unintended collisions, as left-handed riders swinging in the opposite direction could create dangerous situations on the field.

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In professional chess, frequent bathroom breaks can get you disqualified. After several cheating scandals involving hidden communication devices, chess tournaments enforce strict restroom usage policies. If a player leaves too often, they risk forfeiting the match.

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In professional tennis, coaching during a match is strictly prohibited. In fact, even silent signals can lead to penalties. In 2018, Serena Williams was penalized after her coach made a hand gesture, even though she claimed she didn’t see it.

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A golfer who accidentally signs an incorrect scorecard can be disqualified. Even if it’s an honest mistake, the penalty is harsh. This has happened to multiple players in major tournaments, making it one of golf’s most unforgiving rules.

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Some boxers tried spitting out their mouthguards to sneak in extra rest while the referee retrieved them. But this trick is against the rules—officials can now penalize fighters or even stop the match to prevent it.

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Turns out your strict P.E. teacher was just enforcing NBA rules. The NBA prohibits players from hanging on the rim unless it's to avoid injury. Excessive hanging results in a technical foul, preventing unnecessary delays and taunting. Dunking is fine—just don’t show off!

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If a cricket fielder catches a ball using their hat or any other part of their uniform, it doesn’t count. You must use your hands, no exceptions. The rule ensures players rely on skill, not creative use of clothing.

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Since 2002, no sneaky low tosses are allowed in table tennis. This rule ensures a fair serve by making the ball visible to the opponent. If a player fails to toss the ball high enough, the serve is ruled illegal.

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It’s a rule for safety reasons. The sheer size of top athletes in this sport has been linked to car accidents, as they are often too large for modern vehicles. This has led the Japan Sumo Association to ban them from driving, requiring professional wrestlers to use chauffeurs or public transport instead.

Stop! You’ve been using these 11 objects the wrong way

Image: Diana Polekhina

We use countless objects daily without questioning their design, yet many have hidden features or were meant for entirely different purposes. From kitchen tools to bananas, here are 11 everyday items you might be using all wrong—or that at least have surprising secrets built in.

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Yes, toothpaste was always intended to clean and polish teeth, but its mild abrasives make it effective for cleaning jewelry, removing stains from clothing, and even defogging mirrors.

Interestingly, the first toothpaste-like substance dates back to ancient Egypt, where a blend of pumice and vinegar was used for oral care. Modern toothpaste, which includes ingredients like baking soda—another household staple—explains why it’s so effective on surfaces beyond just teeth.

Image: Markus Winkler

That hole in your pasta spoon isn’t just for draining water; it can also help measure a perfect portion of dry spaghetti!

A single serving of spaghetti is about the amount that fits through the hole. This design prevents cooking too much or too little, though not all pasta spoons have holes large enough for accurate measuring.

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The latch inside gas pump nozzles was originally designed to shut off fuel flow automatically when the tank is full, not to hold the pump open.

Modern pumps use this mechanism as a safety feature, preventing spills and overflows. In some places, using the latch to hold the nozzle open is even illegal due to fire risks.

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Those metal loops on the back of grocery cart seats aren’t just for show—they’re designed to hold plastic bags with fragile items.

Hanging lighter bags here prevents them from being crushed by heavier groceries in the cart, yet few shoppers take advantage of this simple design. So, next time you go shopping, give it a try—it could be a real lifesaver.

Image: Bam Mccarthy

The hole in a soda can tab isn’t just part of the opening mechanism—it can double as a straw holder. Once you pop the can open, turning the tab around aligns the hole perfectly for a straw. This prevents the straw from floating or shifting while drinking.

While this wasn’t the original intent behind the design, it’s a clever and surprisingly convenient way to make use of an otherwise inconsequential design quirk.

Image: Annie Spratt

If you're like me, this has likely been a brain teaser since childhood: What is the blue side of a two-tone eraser for? Popular wisdom says it's for ink removal, but have you ever tried erasing ink with that side? It just completely obliterates the paper.

Well, it turns out the blue side of a two-tone eraser was actually designed for use on heavier paper, not for removing ink.

Image: Matúš Kameniar

The small bumps on the ‘F’ and ‘J’ keys exist to help typists find their hand placement without looking.

These tactile guides help your fingers find their way back to the home row, enabling faster and more efficient typing. Even if you're not a professional typist, you can rely on this feature to improve both speed and accuracy while writing.

Image: Monika Guzikowska

Ever watched a monkey peel a banana? You might be in for a surprise, because it turns out the easiest way to peel a banana is from the bottom, not the stem.

Monkeys naturally pinch the bottom of the banana and pull, avoiding the struggle of breaking the tough stem. This method also reduces the risk of squishing the fruit inside.

Image: Brett Jordan

The small hole at the end of a measuring tape is designed to hook onto nails or screws for one-person measurements. This feature provides a more stable grip when measuring long distances without needing an extra set of hands.

Also, the serrated edge on some tapes doubles as a tool for marking surfaces. So, next time you don't have a buddy around to help, don’t worry—your measuring tape has you covered!

Image: Andrea Davis

Many people use the drawer under their oven for storage, but it was originally designed as a warming drawer.

This compartment keeps cooked food warm while the rest of the meal finishes, though in some modern models, it may simply be intended for extra storage. Checking your oven’s manual might reveal its true purpose.

Image: Mockup Free

Ever heard someone say you can judge a good wine by the depth of the indentation at the bottom of the bottle? Well, that’s a myth, though it may suggest a better-designed bottle.

The indent at the bottom of a wine bottle, called a punt, helps distribute pressure and maintain structural integrity. Originally designed to support the bottle against carbonation in sparkling wines, it’s now mostly tradition but still improves durability.