Slamball

SlamBall

Slashers Handler Corey Beezhold going in for a slam dunk.
First played	2001
Characteristics
Contact	Full-contact
Team members	Hombres, Mob, Slashers, Maulers, Rumble and Bouncers
Equipment	Wilson Custom – All-Red "Wave" Basketball
Olympic	No

SlamBall

Sport	SlamBall
Founded	2002
Commissioner	Pat Croce
No. of teams	6
Country(ies)	United States, Portugal, etc
Most recent champion(s)	Slashers
Most titles	Tied at 1 (Rumble, Riders, Mob, and Slashers
TV partner(s)	ESPN, CBS, Versus, Cartoon Network SIC K, SIC Radical Cuatro GXT, Italia 1 One HD
Official website	SlamBall.net

SlamBall is a form of basketball played with 4 trampolines in front of each net. It is played "full contact" and has boards around the court. The name SlamBall is the trademark of SlamBall, LLC.

Professional SlamBall games were aired on television by Spike TV for two seasons in 2002–2003, and the POWERade SlamBall Challenge was aired on CSTV, now CBS Sports Network, in 2007. SlamBall returned in August 2008, airing on Versus, now NBC Sports Network, and CBS. The 2008 SlamBall season aired at one point on weekends on Cartoon Network. Slamball was shown on One HD in Australia during 2009.

Rules and regulations

Scoring in SlamBall is achieved by passing the ball into the net at the opponent's end of the court for points, while preventing the opposing team from doing the same at one's own net. The aim is to have outscored the opposing team when the game ends. A successful score can be worth two points if the ball is thrown through the hoop without the offensive player touching the hoop. Slam dunks are scored three points. All shots outside three-point arc are worth three points as well. In this sport four players from each team (out of an 8 or 9 player roster) may be on the court at one time. Substitutions are unlimited and can be done during play as in the game of hockey. Each team has a coach and additional staff which includes assistant coaches, managers, statisticians, doctors, etc.

Team uniforms consist of shorts and a jersey with the team logo, a number and the player's name on the back. Typically players wear basketball sneakers, but shoes unique to SlamBall are in development to fit the needs of this new sport.

The game is controlled by two referees and the table officials. The table keeps track of the score, time, team possessions, fouls and the shot clock.

Playing regulations

Games are played in four 5-minute quarters, unlike the NBA, which plays for four 12-minute quarters. The game commences with a "bounce-off" in which the ball is bounced at center court. The ball must reach its apex uninterrupted, at which point the players are allowed to "check" each other. Ten minutes are allowed for a half-time break; only one time-out is permitted to each team, which may only be used during the last two minutes of regulation play. A 20-second shot clock is utilized. Teams change ends for the second half. A tie score at the end of regulation time is settled by a series of "face offs" (see Fouls below).

Positions

Diagram of a SlamBall court

Each team has four players on the court at any one time. There are three positions:

• Handler: This would be the primary ball handler on the team. It is his job to run the offense and organize the other members while controlling the flow of the game. Typically he would be responsible to set up the gunners to attack the basket while adding in his own offensive threat.
• Gunner: The primary scorer on the team. A team's gunner will be the player on the team that will attack the basket and finish plays against the opposing teams' stopper, comparable to a forward or wing player in soccer or hockey.
• Stopper: This position is for the primary defensive player. He trails the offense only when necessary, and he protects the rim from attacking players by using himself as a shield.

Teams are free to choose their own configuration, the usual formations being 1 stopper, 2 handlers, and 1 gunner OR 1 stopper, 1 handler, and 2 gunners.

Equipment

3D render of a SlamBall court.

The spring floor lies adjacent to two sets of four trampoline or spring bed 'quads' which dominate each end of the court. Each trampoline surface measures 7 ft by 14 ft (2.1 m by 4.2 m.) The shock absorbent panels pair with the competition bed trampolines to create a unique playing surface that both launches players to inhuman heights and cushions their landing upon returning to the floor. Specifically engineered pads are designed to cover the frame rails and their tapered design allows for maximum safety for on-court play. This entire playing surface will be surrounded with an 8 ft (2.4 m) Plexiglass wall much like in a hockey rink. Players wear protective cups and special equipment to protect various areas of the body. This consists of knee and elbow pads, and an optional SlamBall-specific helmet.

History

Mason Gordon, creator of the sport

Mike Tollin

SlamBall is the creation of Mason Gordon, who wanted to create a combination of sports that approximated a real-life video game, and the name SlamBall is owned by Gordon's company. Upon developing the concept, Gordon approached Mike Tollin, a TV and film producer of Smallville, Wild Hogs, and Coach Carter fame. After giving it some thought, he agreed to help Gordon. Painstaking thought was put into the development of the game. Many different ideas and concepts encompassing everything from court construction to team strategies were addressed. Six months after their first meeting, a court was constructed in a warehouse in East Los Angeles, California.

Gordon then tried to convince street basketball players to test his new idea; he wanted to find skilled, strong players who could compete comfortably while launching off trampolines and crashing into each other in mid-air.

Five recruits—James Willis, Sean Jackson, David Redmond, Michael Goldman and Jeff Sheridan—trained with Gordon to produce the first games. These original six players were part of the first two teams, the Los Angeles Rumble and the Chicago Mob. These two teams played an exhibition series in 2001, which the Chicago Mob won. Soon, more players were brought in, including Stan Fletcher, Rob Wilson and Dion Mays.

First ever SlamBall combine in 2002

First played in Los Angeles, the game gained attention from street basketball players in the area. Within a year, 400 people had been enlisted as potential players. Open tryouts were held and the selection of players based on athletic ability, body control and court awareness started. Reducing numbers to about 60 players, the first ever SlamBall combine was held where players and coaches learned safety, the game and basic strategy.

Early SlamBall Team Photo

In 2002, SlamBall made its television debut, on The National Network (now Spike TV), soon after former Philadelphia 76ers owner Pat Croce had signed on as a partner. Six teams (the Bouncers, Diablos, Mob, Rumble, Slashers, and Steal) played in the inaugural season. Former NBA All-Star Reggie Theus served as studio co-host and color commentator. SlamBall also aired on the British television station Trouble and ESPN aired a feature on the new league.

After the second season in 2003, SlamBall creator Mason Gordon and Warner Bros. Television had a disagreement. The league was dissolved for the time being. Five years later the league resurfaced for one more season. The league opened its doors to open try-outs and was looking for the perfect combination of “the athleticism of Michael Jordan, the physicality of Lawrence Taylor and the creativity of Tony Hawk.”

Confrontation between Rob Wilson and Kevin Cassidy.

The first SlamBall draft in 2002 saw Canadian Robert Wilson drafted as the first No. 1 pick ever in the sport.

Prior to the launch of the second season more than 20,000 online applications were submitted by potential players. Before the second season of SlamBall debuted on the newly-renamed Spike TV, two expansion teams (the Riders and Bandits) were added and a new court was built at Universal City, California.

Sam Jones and Whitney White going head to head at training camp

In 2007, the "POWERade SlamBall Challenge" took place at Hoop City, a fan interactive event, at the 2007 Final Four in Atlanta, Georgia, and aired on CSTV in April 2007.

In Italy SlamBall made its debut on Italia 1 on 16 July 2007 gaining impressive ratings and media fervor. Plans for a new season are in motion with an International model as the basis for the new league structure.

In 2008, SlamBall began planning for a new season, to be financed by IMG. The league accepted applications through its website for new players and coaches, and tryouts were held in three U.S. cities in April, 2008. A training camp for the 2008 season of SlamBall was held at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida from April to June 2008. Over 100 potential players participated in tryouts, eventually leaving 64 players after an 8-team draft. The league was cut to the 6 current teams. Some well-known figures associated with the new season of SlamBall include: Commissioner Pat Croce and Coaches Kenny Anderson, John Starks, Raghib Ismail and Ken Carter. In summer 2008, SlamBall played its first season since 2003 at Universal Citywalk in Universal Studios, California. These games aired in a "Game of the Week" format on Versus beginning 31 August and led up to the finals on CBS on 2 November 2008.

In the 2008 season championship, the Slashers, led by Ken Stapleton, defeated the Rumble. The coach of the Rumble was Ken Carter, of the famed Coach Carter. The season has aired on Australia’s One HD and Fuel TV. SlamBall is currently setting up tournaments in the US and in multiple overseas markets.

Media exposure

On television, the sport has been seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, One Tree Hill, King of Queens, Method & Red, ESPN's SportsCenter, The Best Damn Sports Show Period and Fuel TV. In print, SlamBall has been featured in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Time and European editions of Maxim, GQ and FHM.

Athletes and training

SlamBall hopefuls at tryout camp in 2002

Because of the nature of SlamBall, a broad scope is considered in the recruitment of the players. New players for the League have come from various areas. SlamBall has recruited players directly from college and pro basketball programs across the country. Football players are used to the full-contact, up-tempo style of play, and many of the better players of SlamBall find their origins on the gridiron.

Because SlamBall is a fairly new sport, the primary skill set has yet to be determined. Skill sets from sports like track & field, gymnastics, volleyball, baseball and action sports have the potential to impact the development of the sport. The development of Street Ball also makes athletes from outside the college and pro ranks an exciting addition to the talent pool.

Anthony White vs the trampolines early in training camp

Aerial awareness and body control trampoline exercises

'Shakes' Fletcher in training camp 2002

Teams

Current

2009

Team Name	Championships	Former Names
Bouncers
Hombres		Diablos
Maulers		Steal
Mob	2007
Rumble	2002
Slashers	2008

Inactive

Team Name	Championships	Former Names
Rousties		Bandits
Riders	2003

Seasons

2003

2002		Regular Season				Post Season
Team	Coach	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Result
Rumble	Ken Carter	7	2	.778	1st	2	0	Champions
Diablos	Mark Ellis	5	4	.556	2nd	1	1	Lost in finals
Bouncers	Hernando Planells	5	4	.556	3rd	0	1	Lost in semi-finals
Steal	Brian Taylor	4	5	.444	4th	0	1	Lost in semi-finals
Mob	Brenden Kirsch	4	5	.444	5th	–	–	Did not qualify
Slashers	Kevin Stapleton	2	7	.222	6th	–	–	Did not qualify
2003		Regular Season				Post Season
Team	Coach	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Result
Rumble	Ken Carter	9	1	.900	1st	0	1	Lost in semi-finals
Mob	Brenden Kirsch	7	3	.700	2nd	0	1	Lost in semi-finals
Riders	Xavier McDaniel	6	4	.600	3rd	2	0	Champions
Slashers	Kevin Stapleton	6	4	.600	4th	1	1	Lost in finals
Diablos	Joey Bryant	4	6	.400	5th	–	–	Did not qualify
Bouncers	Hernando Planells	4	6	.400	6th	–	–	Did not qualify
Steal	Brian Taylor	2	8	.200	7th	–	–	Did not qualify
Bandits	Mark Berekoff	2	8	.200	8th	–	–	Did not qualify

2008

2008		Regular Season				Post Season
Team	Coach	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Result
Rumble	Ken Carter	9	3	.750	1st	1	1	Lost in finals
Slashers	Kevin Stapleton	7	5	.583	2nd	2	0	Champions
Mob	Brenden Kirsch	7	5	.583	3rd	0	1	Lost in semi-finals
Hombres	Kenny Anderson	6	6	.500	4th	0	1	Lost in semi-finals
Maulers	John Starks	5	7	.417	5th	–	–	Did not qualify
Bouncers	Rocket Ismail	2	10	.167	6th	–	–	Did not qualify

Past Champions

Year	Champion	Score	Runner-up
2002 SlamBall Season	Rumble	46–41	Diablos
2003 SlamBall Season	Riders	66–60	Slashers
2007 Powerade Slamball Challenge	Mob	48–38	Bouncers
2008 Slamball Season	Slashers	48–46	Rumble

In popular culture

• In the 1989 movie Back to the Future Part II, "Slamball" was mentioned as one of Douglas J Needles' favorite sports during a scene that took place in 2015. This fact was listed in the databank captions shown on the videophone screen during a call between him and Marty McFly. Slamball was also mentioned on the front page of a 2015 USA Today newspaper. The movie was released 13 years before SlamBall was ultimately founded in 2002.
• In The King of Queens episode "Knee Jerk," Doug Heffernan lies to his wife Carrie about having a knee injury but is ultimately caught when she finds him playing SlamBall with his friends.
• In the One Tree Hill episode "Choosing My Own Way of Life", Nathan is offered a position on a SlamBall team. The storyline ran five episodes and featured several of SlamBall's top players.
• SlamBall was covered on VH1's Best Week Ever.
• SlamBall is mentioned in the Family Guy episode And I'm Joyce Kinney, where Peter tells he is going to watch SlamBall with his friend Wayne Ostrovsky, before Lois gets mad at him for not supporting her after what Joyce did to her.

External links

• Official website
• SlamBall fansite
• POWERade SlamBall Challenge Official Site
• Tollin/Robbins Productions
• IMG Programming Official Site – SlamBall
• SlamBall UK Fansite
• SlamBall TV
• SlamBall 2008 Videos