--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're going to play the game…" description: "\"If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better know every rule.\" — Barbara Jordan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg" --- # If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better… ![“If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better know every rule.” quote by Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg) > “If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better know every rule.” [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding the rules is essential for effective participation and success in any activity. **In simple terms:** Know the rules to play well. Key Takeaway Learn the rules before you start. Themes strategy knowledge fairness Mood analytical pragmatic Type instructional motivational When to use this quote - team sports - board games - business negotiations - legal proceedings Key Concepts game theory systems thinking Questions to Reflect On - What rules are you overlooking? - How do you stay updated on rule changes? A Different Perspective Rules can be complex and change over time, requiring continual learning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [If youre going to play the game properly, youd better know every rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-youre-going-to-play-the-game-properly-youd-better-know-every-rule/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [ If you're going to play the game \[politics\] properly, you'd better know every rule. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-politics-properly-you-d-better-know/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [You know rule one for the vice president is make sure you never upstage the president, right? It's rule one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-rendell/you-know-rule-one-for-the-vice-president-is-make-sure-you-never/) [Ed Rendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-rendell/) > [I haven't really learned how to play great forceful golf. I sort of go with the flow, and if I handle my game properly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-schauffele/i-haven-t-really-learned-how-to-play-great-forceful-golf-i-sort-of-go/) [Xander Schauffele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-schauffele/) > [“Understand the game properly before you gear up to break the rules”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anamika-mishra/understand-the-game-properly-before-you-gear-up-to-break-the-rules/) [Anamika Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anamika-mishra/) > [I know the rule. I know law. I know economics. I know parliament. That's an explosive combination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subramanian-swamy/i-know-the-rule-i-know-law-i-know-economics-i-know-parliament-that-s/) [Subramanian Swamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subramanian-swamy/) > [Who says that your thirties is when you're supposed to be done? I would like to know who made that rule!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-williams/who-says-that-your-thirties-is-when-you-re-supposed-to-be-done-i/) [Serena Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-williams/) > [He who does not know how to deceive does not know how to rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-trujillo/he-who-does-not-know-how-to-deceive-does-not-know-how-to-rule/) Rafael Trujillo > [I am indeed, a Queen, because I know how to rule ME ,myself,I.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenchqueen/i-am-indeed-a-queen-because-i-know-how-to-rule-me-myself-i/) Frenchqueen > [You know the rule. If you're long, you're never wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-spielman/you-know-the-rule-if-you-re-long-you-re-never-wrong/) Chris Spielman > [“Your fellow soldiers had to know that you had their back. That was rule one, lesson one, and above all else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/your-fellow-soldiers-had-to-know-that-you-had-their-back-that-was/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-aretino/i-am-indeed-a-king-because-i-know-how-to-rule-myself/) [Pietro Aretino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pietro-aretino/) > [Rule One. You must know the difference between an asset and a liability, and buy assets. If you want to be rich, this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/rule-one-you-must-know-the-difference-between-an-asset-and-a-2/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [I want to play every meaningful play in the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-bosa/i-want-to-play-every-meaningful-play-in-the-game/) [Nick Bosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-bosa/) > [“Every game has rules. Life’s a game that has its respective rules; obey the rules, win the game!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/every-game-has-rules-life-s-a-game-that-has-its-respective-rules-obey/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) ## More by Barbara Jordan > [We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-party-of-innovation-we-do-not-reject-our-traditions-but-we/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-believe-that-the-people-are-the-source-of-all-governmental-power/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If you had to work in the environment of Washington, D.C., as I do, and watch those men who are so imprisoned and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-had-to-work-in-the-environment-of-washington-d-c-as-i-do-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If youre going to play the game properly, youd better know every rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-youre-going-to-play-the-game-properly-youd-better-know-every-rule/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [All my growth and development led me to believe that if you really do the right thing, and if you play by the rules,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/all-my-growth-and-development-led-me-to-believe-that-if-you-really-do/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-all-of-its-uncertainty-we-cannot-flee-the-future/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present: unemployment, inflation... but we are attempting on a larger scale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-trying-not-only-to-solve-the-problems-of-the-present/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/my-faith-in-the-constitution-is-whole-it-is-complete-it-is-total-and/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [...for the system to be credible, people actually have to be deported at the end of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/for-the-system-to-be-credible-people-actually-have-to-be-deported-at/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I have faith in young people because I know the strongest emotions which prevail are those of love and caring and belief and tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-have-faith-in-young-people-because-i-know-the-strongest-emotions/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [One thing is very clear: Illegal immigrants are not entitled to benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/one-thing-is-very-clear-illegal-immigrants-are-not-entitled-to/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-we-promise-as-public-officials-we-must-deliver-if-we-as-public/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [I get from the soil and spirit of Texas the feeling that I, as an individual, can accomplish whatever I want to, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/i-get-from-the-soil-and-spirit-of-texas-the-feeling-that-i-as-an/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-people-in-a-quandary-about-the-present-we-are-a-people-in/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-have-a-positive-vision-of-the-future-founded-on-the-belief-that/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) [Explore all 89 Barbara Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better know every rule.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barbara Jordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properly-you-d-better-know-every-rule/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properly-you-d-better-know-every-rule/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/589/barbara-jordan-7656_play_if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properl_1956914.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you're going to play the game properly, you'd better know every rule.” — Barbara Jordan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barbara Jordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you're going to play the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properly-you-d-better-know-every-rule/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/if-you-re-going-to-play-the-game-properly-you-d-better-know-every-rule/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```