Classic Threads on Common Topics

From the forum thread of the same title

By popular demand (well, Macavity ...), the following sticky includes a list of links to past threads which have covered the length and breadth of some of fumbbl's all-too-familiar controversies.

A few points before the links themselves:

• Please also check out the Stickies at the top of other forums, particularly the Tactics & Strategy Forum, where lots of helpful advice on many subjects can be found. The list below deals more with common topics for pointless debate than anything that might actually be helpful! ;)

• This is simply a reference tool. Just because a subject has been discussed before and linked here does not mean it should never be discussed again. Nonetheless, you may find that there are interesting posts to read here, written by those who are by now sick of contributing.

• This list is a work in progress. If you want to recommend that a new thread be added to a section, or that an entire new section be added, please post a reply, and I will check it out and edit things into this initial post as we go ... Equally, if you think that a thread that is currently included is not 'worthy' and is just bulking the post out, name it and shame it.

Given that I am a relative noob in terms of the history of these forums, I'm sure I will have overlooked a number of defining texts in my first superficial search, so don't hesitate to point out my oversights!

• This thread is not for the purpose of discussing any of the controversial topics listed! Don't even think it!

• While compiling this list, I've come across a few pithy words of wisdom, some of which I dare to think can sum up an entire subject in one line. But I don't yet have one for each topic ... Suggestions are welcome, but there can only be one line for each topic! (Fight!!) Also, these lines must <i>not</i> be original, or your own: but rather drawn from the bowels of the forum's past.

Fouling:

Summary: Some coaches think fouling is nasty and spoils the game. Others think fouling is great fun. Still others disagree with both these positions ...

Threads:

• Fouling ( part of the game?) - First post: Mar 29th, 2003 - The ultimate 70 page behemoth! Be afraid ...
• Fouling Thread #45873: Spawn Camping? - First Post: Apr 13th, 2005 - Featuring the famed wise words of Shepherd!
• Dirty Player or not - First Post: Dec 10th, 2005 - Runty younger brother of 'part of the game' above
• Foulers' Digest - First Post: Dec 22nd, 2005 - Summary version of 'Dirty Player or not'

In one line: 'Foul is fair, and fair is foul.' -- Dreadclaw ... or possibly Shakespeare

Stalling:

Summary: Some coaches think that to delay scoring when a clear opportunity exists is nasty and spoils the game. Others consider stalling to be a valid and often essential tactic. Still others disagree with both these positions ...

• Delaying TDs, good strategy or cheesy exploit? - First post: Oct 10th, 2003 - Classic title as well

Cherry-picking:

Summary: Some coaches think that other coaches are being too selective about the games they will play. Other coaches think those coaches should mind their own business. Still others disagree with both these positions ...

Threads:

• "I don't play dwarves, undead or chaos"... - First post: Oct 14th, 2003 - "Or 'flings ..."
• The essence of cherry picking - First post: Aug 6th, 2004 - The cherry, pickiest of the fruits

In one line: 'I would say you are a cherry picker if you constantly issue challenges that, were the team owner's reversed, you yourself would decline.' -- SkiJunkie?

Slow Play:

Summary: It. Took. Me. Precisely. Four. Minutes. To. Write. This. Sentence.

Threads:

• Slow Play - First post: Nov 13th, 2005 - Describing a problem without solution ...
• 4 minute rule - First post: Feb 23rd, 2006 - Only a fool - Breaks the 4 minute rule!

Sportsmanship:

Summary: (Overlaps with several other categories.) Should coaches adopt certain standards of behaviour (beyond what is demanded by the site rules)? Can anyone ever agree on what those standards should be?

• Sportsmanship - First post: Feb 15th, 2003 - There's a clue in the title
• Code of Cool Coach Conduct - First Post: Apr 3rd, 2003 - Early post: and how little has changed since!
• Etiquette: pre-match altering - First Post: Sep 19th, 2005 - The key issue of hirings and firings before a match

The random number generator

Summary: Is it really random? No, it's pseudo-random. Is that good enough? No, you personally have been cursed by Nuffle to fail every GFI.

• The Random results are so? - First post: Oct 11th, 2004 - Perceptions, probability, and unnecessarily complicated maths clash!
• Java Random Number Generator - seems FINE./url? - First post: Jan 3rd, 2006 - Yet more!
• Random numbers, luck and playing the odds... - First post: Jan 4th, 2006 - And again!

Coach Ranking

Summary: Some coaches want to be ranked. Other coaches don't want to be ranked. Still others disagree with both these positions ...

• Coachrating - First post: Aug 23rd, 2004 - The whys and wherefores of the all-mighty CR.
• CR: Your thoughts! - First post: Jan 24th, 2006 - Such a fuss over three to five digits ...

In one line: 'If you don't care about coachranking, please save your time and my time and do not post.' -- CircularLogic (No, this doesn't sum up the CR question. I just thought it sounded funny taken out of context. - pac)

Miscellaneous

Summary: These threads don't quite fit into any of the above categories, but are classics that should not be missed in their own right!

• How to be a Right Bastard - First post: Apr 30th, 2005 - An ongoing 30+ page guide on how to be as unpleasant as possible to your opponent without actually breaking the rules
• The Recordopedia Spluttanica - First post: July 28th, 2004 - The thread which gave birth to Fumbbl's book of records
• Hitting the Cycle: A Larson or a Thundercall? - First post: Jan 10th, 2005 - What name should be given to that rare event when a player makes a completed pass, a touchdown, a casualty, an interception, and wins the MVP award all in one match?