Head-scratching rulebooks

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

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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.

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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.

Which one stole your heart?

No, Golden Retrievers weren't bred to fetch gold: Dog breed names 101

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Do you love dogs? From royal companions to fearless hunters and from German badger dogs to barkless African hounds, the names of our favorite breeds often hold surprising stories. Whether you’re a fan of the stoic Mastiff, the sassy Poodle, or the majestic Husky, there’s a tale behind each name that might surprise you. Let’s dig in!

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The beautiful, blue-eyed Husky is inseparable from dog-sledding lore. The breed’s name evolved from the word "Eskimo."

English sailors once slurred "Eskimo" into "Uskee" or "Huskemaw," which eventually transformed into "Husky."

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What’s not to love about wiener dogs? Their original name, however, refers not to their iconic sausage shape but to the purpose for which the breed was developed.

Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals, with their long bodies and short legs making them ideal for digging into tunnels. The name is a German compound of Dachs (badger) and Hund (dog), meaning "badger dog."

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There are three beloved varieties of Schnauzer—miniature, standard, and giant—and each has had its moment in pop culture.

The breed takes its name from its distinctive "mustache" or schnauze (snout) in German, literally meaning "snouter" or "muzzle." Originally, Schnauzers were used as rat-catchers and guard dogs in Germany.

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Often portrayed as guard dogs or police K-9s in film, Dobermans were named after Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a 19th-century German tax collector who developed the breed as a loyal and protective companion for his dangerous rounds.

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Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Welsh Corgis made the breed internationally famous. In Welsh, cor means "dwarf" and gi (a soft mutation of ci) means "dog," so Corgi translates to "dwarf dog." Indeed, the breed originated in Wales, where it was used for herding cattle by nipping at their heels. Over time, Corgis also became a cultural symbol of British royalty.

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Known as the "barkless dog" of Central Africa—because of its unique larynx structure, which produces a yodel-like sound (baroo) instead of a bark—the name "Basenji" comes from a Bantu language and roughly translates to "village dog" or "bush thing." The breed is ancient and was used for hunting in the Congo.

Image: Joshua Köller

Did you know the Labrador Retriever has been America’s most popular dog breed for decades? Despite its name, the breed did not originate in Labrador but in Newfoundland.

It was called "Labrador" because British breeders associated the dogs with the Labrador Sea and the nearby region, while "Retriever" refers to the breed’s role in hunting.

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So, did Golden Retrievers retrieve gold? Short answer: no. Like Labradors, they were bred to retrieve game for hunters, but the "golden" part of their name refers to their beautiful coat.

The breed was developed in Scotland in the 19th century by crossing several breeds to create an obedient, water-loving gun dog.

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Snoopy is perhaps the most famous Beagle out there, even though we only saw him in black and white.

The origin of this beloved breed’s name is debated. It may derive from the Old French begueule, meaning "open throat," a nod to their baying howls. Others trace it to Celtic or Old English words meaning "small."

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Always pampered and impeccably groomed! If the term "Poodle" has always reminded you of "puddles," you are not far off. The name comes from the German Pudel or Pudelin, meaning "to splash in water." Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers, so their name reflects this aquatic work.

Image: Bruce Galpin

Pugs’ features and expressive faces have made them a source of comic relief in pop culture. There is no consensus about the origin of their name, however.

Some say that it derives from the Latin pugnus, meaning "fist," perhaps referencing their squished, fist-like face. Others say that in 18th-century England, "pug" was also a term of endearment for something small and compact-looking.

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Athletic, energetic, and full of protective instincts, Boxers are true family guardians. But why the name?

It is thought to come from the breed’s tendency to use its front paws in play, like a boxer in the ring. Another theory links the name to the German word Boxl, a nickname for the breed in Bavaria.

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As calm and noble as they are huge, Mastiffs were named after the Old French mastin or the Latin mansuetus, meaning "tame" or "domesticated." Despite their imposing size, Mastiffs were bred to guard homes and estates while remaining loyal and gentle with their owners.