Leaders must understand the rules and laws of the sport in order to guide athletes to victory. Knowing these offers athletes the information they need to maximize their performance without infringing the regulations, which will result in disqualification and harm to their athletic reputation. The leader who knows the rules can help his or her team by choosing the right strategy at the right time during competition. The knowledge of rules and laws in sports is very important because it allows leaders to make decisions that keep them out of trouble while still giving their teams a chance of winning. For example, a leader might decide not to challenge a penalty because he or she wants to stay on the good side of the referee. Or, he or she might choose not to protest if she believes that her team can win the game with what's left of the remaining time. These are just some of the many decisions leaders have to make during games. The better they know the rules, the more effectively they can lead their teams to victory. In addition to making decisions, leaders must also communicate these choices to their teams. This communication could be as simple as pointing out an obvious rule violation or as complex as designing a strategic game plan. No matter how large or small the task, leaders must convey their ideas clearly and honestly so that their teams will follow them. Finally, leaders must be active participants on their teams.