Slamball

Slam Ball is a ball game from the USA, which was developed in the 2000s.

Background

Slamball is similar to basketball, but to impress with madness all, what is to be achieved inter alia through trampolines around the baskets, a higher score for dunks and a very short maximum attack. The sport consists of several elements of other sports. In addition to basketball also parallels with figure-hugging, aggressive sports such as American football or hockey significantly. By equipping the field of play the players are also facilitated new movements that are within the sphere of gymnastics. Players jump, fly and collide hard together.

Regulate

The rules are similar to basketball, because objective of the game is to play the ball by about 3 feet high basket. Two teams play against each other, each team consists of 8 players, 4 of which are active on the field. These are distributed to the following three positions:

It is played over time in two game halves, each 16 minutes. In Fouls the clock continues to run at off times it is stopped it. Throws at the basket can be made from anywhere within the court. Results are basically two points. Exceptions are the eponymous game " Slamdunks ", which make for 3 points game. Within 15 seconds, the attacking team has a shot at the basket try. Players are allowed to switch race each other on the field outside of the trampoline and directly repel the ball from the basket even though he is about his trajectory maximum addition, so-called "goal tending ". If the ball is touched simultaneously by two opposing players, the ball goes to the defending team.

The playing field is limited by high walls made ​​of acrylic glass that can be used as a band. Four rectangular trampolines are inserted under each of the baskets. This catapult the player high above five feet, thus enabling the spectacular dunks. Between the trampolines is the "island ", in which an attacker can spend a few moments to prepare a new turn. Together with the trampolines makes this area the " slam zone," apply in the special challenge rules, exactly the set and are very complex. In general: A foul is when the enemy is attacked in the air or from behind. For a challenge, there is a rally or to any severe challenge to a " free throw ", which is not comparable to a basketball free-throw: In the " Face-Off Free Throw " so-called, there is a 1 on 1 between the fouled player and the defender. The attacker turns on at the midline and may attack the basket, the player who committed the foul tries to prevent this by blocking.

Genesis

The inventor of the sport is Mason Gordon, who wanted to develop a ball - sport, which is inspired by the form and aesthetics of video games. Supports his project by the film producer Mike Tollin was. 2000, a first pitch in an old warehouse was set up in Los Angeles and tested the game of different athletes. Slamball prevails in the sequence in California. Because of the spectacular gameplay and the perfection of the player Gordon Slamball received a television contract, which made the sport popular during the first game season. Meanwhile Slamball is played in various European countries. The sport is transmitted since the emergence in the U.S. regularly on television, in the UK there are now a fan base. In the American sitcom The King of Queens, the main characters also play Slamball, which gave the sport a boost in popularity in Europe. 2006 toured Slamball through Europe. In German-speaking appearances in Munich, Cologne, Basel, Berlin were on the program.