Pick in the back
 

I played in high school/college and I always though setting a pick flat on someone's back was generally illegal -- when I said that at a rec game tonight, everyone looked at me like I was crazy.., anyone know if there is a rule against this?

A pick from behind (outside the visual field of the opponent) is not necessarily illegal but it can be. The screen must allow the screened player 1 step. If it is set closer than 1 step, it can be illegal.

Rule says you must give the player one normal step backward if you attempt to screen a stationary player from behind. They looked at you like you were from Mars because it just isn't called that way much.

I've seen it called that way quite often. I think the key here is rec league and players who suck at basketball and have no clue what they are talking about.

Suck at basketball? That's pretty harsh. Lots of the rec guys around here played college ball and are far from sucking. As far as knowing actual rules, that's a different story.

Our definitions of being good at basketball are probably very different.

To be fair, you have all types in Rec basketball. I've seen leagues with former college players all the way to people that couldn't even make a Freshman team at a small HS.