The Unspoken Rules of Butt Slapping in Sports

I was watching a basketball game featuring my favorite team. It was a thrilling game: the scores were tied with 10 seconds remaining on the clock. The team’s superstar called for an isolation play, waited for the clock to dwindle down and sank a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer. The players began celebrating. The hero of the game rushed to the bench, pumping his fist and giving high-fives. While doing this, his teammates started slapping him on the butt, one after another.

And so I began to wonder. What is the origin of the butt slap? Why is it only done in sports? Do guys slapping each other on their behinds gain a boost in confidence or something?

As you may very well know, this gesture is very common in different sports, even those played by big and tough men like football. Can you imagine what these big dudes say to each other, or more interestingly, what they feel while giving and receiving a butt slap?

To provide you with a little bit of useful information, some say that there is science behind butt slapping. It is said that it has similarities with horseracing, where jockeys whip their horses to encourage them to go faster. But then again, some studies claim that whipping horses does not increase their chances of finishing first, second or whatever. But there’s still a useful tip we can get from horseracing. There is actually a limit to the number of times a jockey can whip a horse. The same goes with butt slapping.

Actually, I played basketball back in high school and I’ve had my fair share of those “confidence and energy boosters”. Honestly, at first it didn’t come very awkward to me, probably because I’ve been seeing athletes doing it way before I started playing basketball. So I thought it was a natural thing for sportsmen. I hate to admit this but I think I’ve given more butt slaps to men than women. But hey, don’t start laughing now. You know you’re in the same league as mine.

That realization sparked another question in my mind. Are butt slaps also common in women’s sports? If so, that’s worthy of a whole different hub! But in any case, the butt slap is here and here to stay. For beginners, if you want to avoid people questioning your manhood or if you want to hide your real intentions, you must learn these unspoken rules of butt slapping.

1. No squeezing. This is the number one rule. A butt slap should always be a quick tap. Make sure your fingers are together to avoid accidental cupping or so as to avoid temptation. If your hand is still in contact with the guy’s butt after half a second, your thoughts are not on the game; it’s lingering somewhere else.

2. Pick just one cheek. No matter how much you want to smack both, get a hold of yourself and pick only one cheek. Preferably, slap the one nearest you to avoid that split second of choosing which one you think is better to smack.

3. Keep your eyes up. You don’t have to look at the guy’s behind when giving him a butt slap. This will only make you look like you’re actually enjoying this crazy antic.

4. Fall in line. Did your teammate make a fantastic play? Wait for your turn to give him a smack. Don’t go rushing towards him like a kid drooling for ice cream. Don’t you worry; you’ll get your chance.

5. Listen to the horn. When the game ends, it also signals the end of butt slapping, or at least after a few seconds after the game to congratulate your team for winning or to tell them you’ll get ‘em next time. As for you, this is your last chance so go get ‘em now! Oh and one more thing: Never take it to the showers!

Are you ready for one?

For having the patience to read this hub, here's one for you...

Well, on second thought, there might be hubbers who do not want to be on the receiving end of a butt slap. As a matter of fact, I'm also done with it. So if you enjoyed this hub, please leave a comment instead. Many thanks!