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Corey “Homicide” Williams in the snow…
Bounce Edition #7 introduced an article called the “Playground Mentality” from my Street Dogma column. In it I explained what the column name – “Street Dogma“- meant in playground terminology. I defined “Street” as an adjective with the meaning – “Fashionable in the urban environment, especially to young people.” “Dogma” was defined as a noun, and the definition read – “A belief, or set of beliefs that a political, philosophical, or moral group holds to be true. While “Street” can be used to describe a personality, how can “Dogma” be a “thing?” When a generation or group creates something new that becomes “the thing to do and the place to be” it becomes a way of life. A Playground in New York has the “Dogma” when it’s filled with players that believe in the run. In essence “Dogma” in this case simply means – true ball. In the article, I spoke about how playground ball builds players and gives them the ability to become battle-tested competitors. Click on the subscription banner up top or on the side to order the back issue. In the meantime, check out 1 of my 10 Personal Rules of Playground Ball as we get a good start to the New Year.
1. A foul is non-existent during pick-up ball unless the defender smacks, pushes, or makes the call for the offensive player. Tell me what you think, and if you like, post a comment about how you deal with fouls at your local court.
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
nosmelone says:
For the most part thats true but I’ve seen played against plenty of people who blatently foul people and unless the offensive player calls it they will just let it go and not point out the obvious. Usually these people are the less experienced ballers or are overly competitive beyond absurdity.
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
alegiust says:
Try to call no fouls at all. AT ALL!!! even here in Italy ! San Giuliano Milanese SS9 via Emilia town.
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Sean Couch says:
I’m down for the no foul rule, it makes you want to finish every shot.
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Casey Lee says:
No blood, no foul.
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Russ M. says:
If I’m ballin’ in the park and there are about 5 nexts waiting on the sidelines that means if I lose it’s either go home or wait an hour and a half before I get back on the court.Therefore, if you foul me, I call it. And if I don’t,I will surely get alot of mouth from my teamates because they don’t want to go home either.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
raymond says:
sean, since were in 2009 and to close out on 2008, we should look back and find out the top 10 streetball moments of the summer of 2008, thatll be cool…wutchu think?
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Sean Couch says:
Russ:
I’ve been in that park, and i remember walking around waiting for the arguement to end rather than playing. If the run is strong you hate to leave but when it gets to the point where it goes tick for tack at point up, you get frustrated. I’d rather go to a park where the players understand and respect a call then go to one where a kid is arguing when he runs into a kid who has his hands straight up, or the worse, where a kid gets cleanly stripped and he says “ball.” As far as respecting your teammates, I feel that, but as you and I both know, you get more respect from them and the opposition if you stay
real with your calls.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Sean Couch says:
Ray:
That is a good look, I’ll see if I can get the Bounce Crew on it.
January 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 am
Russ M says:
Sean
Arguing?! Guys getting cleanly stripped and saying “ball”?! Yeah, I guess you have been to that park. Your point is well takin’.
January 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Sean Couch says:
Grew up in the city, grew up in Dyckman Park where the pick-up ball was solid, played in the Battlegrounds on Amsterdam and 152nd street in Manhattan, up in the Bronx in Edenwald Projects with Shane from AND 1… I’ve been around.
January 5th, 2009 at 5:22 am
vancitykat says:
Yeah I rarely call fouls, most of the time it’s not worth the arguement unless it’s ultra blatent.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Ricki Lutes says:
When my buddies and I ball, we play without fouls unless it’s a really awfull one and the offensive player calls it.
But when we play against others, it’s common that they call the silliest fouls. Many of them play ball in a club or have done so, but they dont know how to separate that from streetball.
Much love from Denmark