Pick-Up Basketball Across the Pond

Tweet As I am vacationing home in my country of Serbia, I have not had much chances to write during this rather dull time of the sports year.  Champions league qualifying begins tomorrow and I may write some things about that, as well as taking a shot at a Premier League season preview.  In the mean time, here are some observations and differences about pick-up basketball here in Europe vs. back in Canada.


I decided to leave my house at around 5pm, the court is a 2-minute walk and I wanted to get as much runs in as possible.  I was back home at 5:15; outside temperature: 42 degrees Celsius... probably better to wait this out a bit.  By the time the outside temperature dropped to levels where I could inhale without passing out, it was 6:30pm.  There were about 9 guys on the court, 10 with me, perfect for some 5-on-5.

Difference #1: Nobody here plays 5-on-5

Its all about 3 on 3 half court.  Did I suggest some 5 on 5? Yes.  Did I get laughed at? Yes.  Apparently the Idea of 4 guys watching (with more coming) while 6 guys play is very appealing, oh well.  To be fair, games are played to 15 (ones and two's) and actually move very quickly because of...

Difference #2:  No clearing after missed baskets.

Yeah...

If you do not have your team-mates in a position to rebound and you put up a shot and miss you give the other team a point.  If you rebound and (conditioned by years of Canadian pick-up) head out to clear, your teammates, and people watching yell at you incessantly, while your opponents ramp up the shit talk for your stupidity.  You would think that this would mean many more inside shots and rough-housing in the paint but you would be wrong because of...