The People Behind The Most Mind Blowing Innovations in Sports

A few of these may also be considered "mind-numbing."

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Complex Original

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In the world of sports, change often comes about very slowly. For the majority of coaches and players, their No. 1 goal is to keep their jobs and to continue doing what they love, and thus the idea of doing something outside the norm is quite terrifying.

But there are some who dare to dream, and dare to take the old ways and completely flip them on their heads. The idea of change and innovation is as important in sports as it is in the technology or automotive industries, and has made the games we love what they are today.

Where would football be without Knute Rockne’s forward pass? Or what would baseball look like the suicide squeeze or hit and run? How much poorer would or lives be without Don Nelson creating “Hack-a-Shaq?" Things that we take for granted now had to be ushered into the mainstream by somebody, after all.

Since today is the anniversary of the legendary Rockne’s death, we figured we remember him by taking a look at those whose bold changes have profoundly influenced the world’s most popular games. Here’s a look at the People Behind The Most Mind Blowing Innovations in Sports.

Dutch Carter and George B. Case: Suicide Squeeze

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Jacques Plante: Goaltender Mask

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Chuck Noll and Bud Carson: The Tampa 2 Defense

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Jimmy Hogan: Possession Soccer

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Pee Wee Kirkland: Crossover Dribble

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Bill Snyder: Wildcat Formation

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Charles "Spud" Cason: The Wishbone Offense

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John McClendon: The Four Corners Offense

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Michael Taylor: The Pistol Formation

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Bill Arnsparger: The Zone Blitz

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Rinus Michels: Total Football

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Tony La Russa: Specialist Relief Pitchers

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Frank Lindley: Zone Defense

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John J. McGraw: The Hit and Run

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Don Nelson: Hack-a-Shaq

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John Stockton and Karl Malone: The Pick and Roll

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Herbert Chapman: "WM" Formation

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Bill Walsh: West Coast Offense

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Lew Alcindor: The Slam Dunk

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Knute Rockne: The Forward Pass

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