Hello All,

I play casual pickup basketball games (call your own foul) and would like to get to understand the rules better...

Today I had a breakaway where I was running for a layup at the opponents basket. One of their team members caught up to me and we were bumping bodies as I tried to drive in for the layup. My natural instinct as we were bumping was for me to put a forearm up to give myself some space.

The opponent says I fouled him for pushing but I said he fouled me for bumping me as we were both running towards the basket. He was running along side me and obstructing my path for the layup.

My question is, who is the foul on so I know how to handle this next time?

Regards,

JT Clark
San Jose, CA

In my neck of the woods, pick up ball = no offensive fouls.

Further, what the actual rules are have no bearing on a pick up game. Settle it like the rest of us - you call him names, he calls you names, f you, no f you, then shoot for the ball and finish the game - then go have a beer and laugh about it afterwards

If he's running beside you, how is he obstructing your path?

If you use your forearm to create distance between you and a defender, you've fouled.

Only a weenie would call a defensive foul for pushing in that way during a call-your-own game. Only a double weenie would call an offensive foul for it. The guy who argues the loudest is generally right in that sitch.

No Autopsy, No Foul!!!!

Don't forget the good old "Double Foul" option. Be a man and take one - give one.

What difference does it make, you'll both just spend 20 minutes arguing if either of you call it anyway.

Do what I do on any double whistleS or "blarge" callS - ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!!

Sounds like there was some incidental contact initiated by BOTH of you. Because he obstructed your path would seem to imply that he had a decent, and legal, guarding position. Question is not whether there was contact, but was there contact that led to an advantage. Difficult to say without seeing the play, but best answer it "it depends" or when it doubt always opt for the ROCK.

Pickup ball? You should have ran faster so he can't catch you.......result.......you're gonna hafta shoot for this one.

I believe this RULE is covered in the movie classic "White Men Can't Jump". It begins something like "Your momma is sooooooo ugly"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!