re: Are soccer players taught to flop?

I tend to agree, but this question probably could have been posed in one of the 20 flopping related threads posted since the start of the World Cup.

People, mostly people who have never played and/or rarely watch soccer, are blowing it way out of proportion. It's a tactic and it works. And until it stops working, for whatever reason that would/could be, it will continue to be used in the game...just like it's used in nearly every other team sport (which, in some instances, it's much more prevalent and obvious).

ETA: And to answer the question, it's not necessarily coached...but, when you're playing, it's a tactic one could come up with logically and use to one's advantage.