Podcasts

YR via RSS

For Educators
Teach Youth Radio
Curriculum

Youth Programs
CORE
Outreach

Slamball

Will Cherrin has been following the rise of a new sport.

Listen to this Commentary!

By Will Cherrin

Sports fans are well into March madness, the pinnacle of college basketball. Now, imagine what the competition would be like if the players had trampolines to help them slamdunk. Youth Radio's Will Cherrin has been following the rise of a new sport called Slamball that takes the basics of basketball to a new level.

Ben: My name is Ben Simrin and I am 17 years old.
Will: How tall are you?
Ben: Some may think I'm under five feet but I am actually 5'7"
Will: How would you rate your basketball abilities?
Ben: That's tough but on a one to ten I'd probably give myself a five.

That's where Slamball comes in. For those who've never heard of it, let me introduce you to an expert.

Theus: My name is Juan Hernandez Valdez Rodriguez Renaldo Cias.

Actually, his name is Reggie Theus, and, along with being a former NBA All-Star and commentator, he is now the color analyst for Slamball on TNN. It all started with a phone call about a sport that was originally going to be named "Smashball"...

Reggie: I was like what? You know it's kinda the same reaction when you hear about guys playing basketball off trampolines. They go, “What?” And you really don't appreciate it until after you've actually seen it, appreciate the athleticism the guys have.

Slamball, to put it simply, is basketball with trampolines in the floor underneath both baskets. The players can shoot from outside on the hardwood floor, or dribble closer to propel themselves off the trampoline and to the basket. The perfect setup for a guy like Ben or even the little leaguers that I coach.

Kid 1: If I had a trampoline under my basketball hoop, first I'd do a 360 and if I did it good, I'd do a 360 windmill...
Kid 2: If I had a trampoline, I'd throw the ball up...
Kid 3: No no! No no! No no!

Kids and teenagers can really get into Slamball. But what about older public radio listeners? Well, Reggie Theus thinks this is a sport for everyone.

Reggie: Anybody who likes fast pace, throwing it down from the top of the backboard, going at it, mid-air collisions, falling to the ground, bouncing back up, and guys who really wanna play this is the sport for you.

As for young people, kids are now practicing basketball by putting trampolines underneath their baskets instead of taking jumpers and improving their shot. Reggie believes Slamball is the future for many of these dreamers. Here's his advice for Ben.

Reggie: You don't have to be big to take a guy out in mid-air. Ben, give it a shot. If you think you can handle it, give it a shot.

And if you don't mind the bruised wrists from the rims and the trampoline burns it's perfect.

I'm Will Cherrin.