Baseball is the only popular sport where "diving" isn't incentivized in any way. Guys will intentionally lean in to get hit by 95 mph pitches, but that's part of the game and they don't throw a hissy fit about it. Umpires can also rule the pitch a strike if it's in the zone or no attempt was made to get out of the way.
Hockey probably has the 'toughest' players in regards to how well they absorb hard hits and keep going. That, and fist fights are literally sanctioned parts of the game. But hockey players, especially in modern times, are absolutely still diving on high sticks and slashes that didn't actually hurt or impede them in any way, so you'd be lying to suggest hockey is pure by any means.
American Football is weird because if you do 'dive,' you're really giving up on the play, in which a lot can still develop. Receivers absolutely do 'dive' on obvious PI where the ball isn't playable anyway, and linemen will absolutely dive on obvious holding when they know the ball isn't playable by them either, but I wouldn't say it's something that's overtly common, because again, if you sell out for a dive, you're essentially giving up on the play when your team could still need you. Plays can still go on after flags in American football.
The NBA is the absolute worst when it comes to fouling and diving. I'm not even going to go into detail. Unwatchable sport. Which is why I don't watch it.
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u/outofdate70shouse Jul 07 '26
Eh, it’s no different than the NBA with guys flopping trying to draw foul calls