Every sport has its common plays and predictable outcomes, but what truly excites fans and players alike are the rare, seemingly impossible moments that happen in the blink of an eye. These rare plays require an incredible combination of timing, skill, and luck, and they leave lasting impressions when they occur. From baseball to basketball, here’s a look at some of the rarest plays in various sports.
1. Baseball: The Unassisted Triple Play
In the long history of Major League Baseball (MLB), one of the rarest and most remarkable feats is the unassisted triple play. As of 2023, this extraordinary defensive achievement has only happened 15 times in MLB history.
In an unassisted triple play, a single player makes all three outs on his own in one continuous sequence, without the help of any teammates. This typically occurs when there are runners on first and second base with no outs. For example, if the batter hits a line drive, the infielder catches the ball (out 1), steps on second base to force out the runner coming from first (out 2), and tags the runner coming from second base (out 3).
The rarity comes from the perfect storm of circumstances needed for this play, including having the runners in motion and the defensive player’s quick thinking and execution.
Other Rare Baseball Plays:
- Perfect Game: A pitcher retires every batter without allowing a single hit, walk, or error over nine innings. This has only occurred 24 times in MLB history.
- Four Strikeouts in One Inning: Achieved when a catcher drops the third strike and the batter reaches first base, allowing the pitcher to strike out four batters in a single inning.
2. Football: The Pick-Six on a Two-Point Conversion
In football, a rare but exhilarating play is when a defensive player intercepts a two-point conversion attempt and returns it for a touchdown. Known as a “pick-six on a two-point conversion”, this play is notable because a two-point conversion is not an ordinary offensive play, and the opportunity for a pick-six is even rarer.
When the offense attempts to score two points after a touchdown from the two-yard line, the defense can intercept the ball and return it the full length of the field for two points of their own. Given the closeness of the line of scrimmage to the end zone, it requires exceptional quickness, awareness, and blocking for the defender to return the ball 98+ yards.
Other Rare Football Plays:
- Fair Catch Kick: After calling for a fair catch, a team can attempt a field goal from the spot of the catch without any defensive rush. It’s extremely rare, with only five successful fair catch kicks in NFL history.
- Double Punt: If a punter’s kick is blocked, they can legally pick the ball up and punt it again, as long as they are behind the line of scrimmage. This unusual play was successfully executed by Michael Dickson in 2021.
3. Soccer: The Olympico Goal
In soccer, scoring directly from a corner kick is known as an “Olympico” goal, and it is one of the rarest and most challenging feats in the sport. The player taking the corner kick curls the ball into the net without it touching another player. This requires extraordinary precision, especially when factoring in wind conditions, the positioning of the goalkeeper, and the spin of the ball.
The name “Olympico” comes from the first recorded instance of the play at the 1924 Olympic Games. Because goalkeepers typically anticipate a cross or a header from a corner kick, they are rarely prepared for the ball to curve directly into the net.
Other Rare Soccer Plays:
- Own Goal from Distance: While own goals happen, scoring an own goal from a significant distance, like 30 or 40 yards away, is exceptionally rare and usually occurs due to a miscommunication or bizarre deflection.
- Double Nutmeg Goal: A player successfully dribbles the ball through the legs of two defenders in quick succession and scores. This is a skillful and rare combination of ball control and creativity.
4. Hockey: The “Michigan” or Lacrosse-Style Goal
In hockey, one of the rarest and flashiest plays is the lacrosse-style goal, also known as “The Michigan.” This play involves a player picking the puck up on the blade of their stick and, while skating behind the opponent’s net, flipping it into the top corner of the goal. It’s a dazzling display of hand-eye coordination and stickhandling, as the player must scoop the puck and quickly make the shot before the defense or goalie can react.
The Michigan goal, named after the University of Michigan player Mike Legg who popularized it in 1996, is rare because of the level of skill required to pull it off during a game, especially under the pressure of defenders and goalies.
Other Rare Hockey Plays:
- Gordie Howe Hat Trick: Named after the legendary player, this play involves a player scoring a goal, getting an assist, and being involved in a fight all in the same game. While not statistically tracked like a traditional hat trick (three goals), it’s a rare combination of skill and toughness.
- Goaltender Goal: A goalie scoring a goal is one of the rarest events in hockey. This can happen when the goalie directly shoots the puck into the opponent’s net or when the opposing team mistakenly deflects a puck shot by the goalie into their own goal.
5. Basketball: The Quadruple-Double
In basketball, one of the most elusive individual achievements is the quadruple-double, where a player records double digits in four different statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks). As of 2023, it has only been accomplished four times in NBA history.
The reason this play is so rare is that it requires a player to excel in multiple facets of the game, not just scoring. Players need to be highly skilled on both offense and defense, contributing across the board in a significant way to achieve this milestone. The most recent quadruple-double was achieved by David Robinson in 1994.
Other Rare Basketball Plays:
- Full-Court Shot at the Buzzer: A made basket from beyond half court at the buzzer, while a thrilling moment for fans, is a low-probability shot that only happens occasionally.
- Five-by-Five: A player records at least five points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and five blocks in a single game. It requires well-rounded talent and is exceedingly rare, with players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrei Kirilenko achieving it.
The Magic of Rare Plays
Rare plays in sports capture the imagination of fans and athletes alike because they combine skill, luck, and often a bit of chaos. Whether it’s the sheer athleticism needed to pull off a quadruple-double in basketball, the high-pressure environment of an unassisted triple play in baseball, or the unexpected brilliance of a lacrosse-style goal in hockey, these moments remind us why we watch sports: for the unpredictability, the excitement, and the potential for something truly extraordinary to happen.
These plays are a testament to the versatility and brilliance of athletes, and when they happen, they provide unforgettable moments that stand out in the history of their respective sports.
Learn more at: https://everything-everywhere.com/the-rarest-feats-in-sports/
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The Sport Lady has been a lifelong sports enthusiast. She believes that sports have the power to unite people, create common bonds, and foster shared experiences. As a wife and mother of sports lovers, she is passionate about her favorite teams and cherishes every opportunity to watch them play. For her, every day is game day!