By the way, and the YMCA here in Austin we play continuation, so if you call a cheap foul and the bucket is good, we count it and play on. So whenever I get fouled, whether I am shooting or not, I toss it up there. DD
I do if it is a Vicious hack. If I hack you . .and you continue but miss the shot Even If my team gets the rebound. . I'll say I hack ya. . . good sportsmanship IMo I cannot stand whiners and folx who wannt call the game like the NBA Rocket River
If someone keeps tipping my elbow on my jump shot, I'll call him out like the little b*tch he is. "Smart fouls" are not appropriate for playground ball. We don't shoot freethrows where I come from. So when you do a smart foul you are basically negating someone else's skills/atheleticism with your weinerness. The only acceptable fouls are (1) accidental, or (2) physical contact in honest pursuit of a block or steal. Any other type of intentional foul is just an admission that the only balling you should do is on the xbox.
Swing that arm out,, hook the defender, and drive baseline. Nobodoy will be able to corroborate the defenders insistance that you fouled him on the move.
SInce you can't foul out or shoot free throws you could win by fouling the crap out of the opponents shooters every time. I don't think any of us that plays pick up ball would like that. The one area that I've found that rules make a big difference is if you're playing with people who call offensive fouls. I've got quick feet but am not very tall or able to jump very high. Playing with people who call charges makes a huge difference in regards to D because bigger players can't just run me over on the way to the hoop. That said while I like to win in playground b-ball I like to win by better athletic ability and execution not obssessing about the rules. This is supposed to be fun and calling fouls, hawking the 3 point line and grabbing peoples elbows isn't that fun.
Here are some better tips for being successful in playground or YMCA games. 1. Learn to shoot. If you can shoot, you can play. If you practice and can hit 15-18 footers you can play all day long. Heck...since "team defense" is rare in pick up games, if you can hit an open 12 footer regularly, your golden. 2. No matter how tall you are, learn how to do a little hook shot and make it consistently. Most people can't guard it and if you make it regularly your good to go. 3. Don't be afraid to be blocked. Most people can't block your shot most of the time. If you keep going at somebody underneath the basket you'll get your shot up MOST of the time. Maximize the high percentage shots. 4. Learn to dribble with BOTH hands and go left or right. It amazes me how many people think they are great players, yet can only go one way with the ball. It takes any athletic or skill advantage away that you might have if I only have to guard one side of you. 5. Have fun. Don't get all pissy if you lose, and don't get mad if not everybody is a Jordan. Just have fun.
That's what I was going to say. As a defender, you might call a foul you yourself committed, if the guy you fouled missed because of it. No playground I've ever played at would allow a negation of a basket for a foul called by a defender. I have seen some arguments after the ball went in as to whether or not the scorer had said foul or not.
Thanks NIKEstrad. You're right, I shouldn't try to interpret what other posters meant to say. For the most part though, the "tips" provided take the fun out of the game. Yeah, keep track of the score, but don't start squabbles with the other players.
I think the key to winning playground ball is good shooting. If you have atleast two consistent shooters on your team, you always have a chance.
If all that fails you might consider working on your jumpshot... ...or moving to the elementary school courts and dominate.
This is the truth, and it is why you can never discount those goofy looking guys who someone manage to get the ball in the basket. Where exactly does everyone play pick-up ball around here? I go to the YWCA on Memorial & Waugh, but am looking for other places, too.
I play at 24 Hour Fitness San Felipe and Voss..but i will play anywhere if anyone has a game going on.
