Baumblog EST 1968 - A blog for the Baumbachs who originated in Syracuse, NY

Years ago, we used to play a game called Bounce on our hoop. I don't recall the particular rules, but I think it worked like this:

Players A, B, C, and D are playing. (Min 2 player, no upper limit). Player A steps to the foul line and attempts a shot. If successful, A scores one point and can continue shooting free throws until one misses. When one misses, Player B attempts to recover the rebound and sink a shot from where it was recovered from. If made, that shot is worth two points and B now takes A's place at the foul line to begin shooting foul shots until B misses. If B missed the rebound shot, or failed to recover the ball, then Player C goes to the foul line for shots....and the cycle repeats until one player has scored 21 points.

One of the rules I seem to recall was that the rebound shot had to be made in the air--that is, you couldn't catch the ball, stand there and gauge the shot, then take it, instead, your feet had to be off the ground as you picked up the ball and shot it. Using this rule would pretty much mean only short rebound shots were possible, but I recall making some rather long ones. Perhaps we started with this rule and later dropped it?

Only curious since we just got ourselves a hoop and are now playing with it a lot. Horse only gets you so far. ;)

Geoff said 20 minutes later

You've got it almost right...Player C only goes to the foul line if player B is unable to recover the ball and shoot it or if they shoot the ball, miss the basket, and the first bounce of the ball is out of bounds. If however they recover the ball, shoot it, miss, and the ball's first bounce is in bounds, Player C must try to recover the ball and shoot for the basket, regardless of where the ball is going (I've had to try and make a basket from behind the net). This continues until someone either makes the basket or throws the ball out of bounds.

This became good strategy if player C would win with 2 more points, and you knew you couldn't make the shot, so you bounce it off the rim or backboard as hard as you can...especially if you are playing with only two people.

And yes, you must shoot with your feet off the ground...no matter where you are, thus why long shots are very difficult and sometimes you just need to chuck it at the backboard and hope the next player is unable to recover (keeping in mind that your ball must still take its first bounce, in-bounds).

You only get one bounce for the rebound, if it bounces twice, the next player goes to the foul line.
Kristen said about 3 hours later

I remember that game! It was hard for girls because you need a lot of upper body strength to catch and throw the ball in mid-air.

I need a refresher on horse. ?!
Geoff said about 3 hours later

Well thats ok, none of us could throw the ball into the hoop, so it made for pretty long games.
GJ said about 5 hours later

Thanks--that's it exactly. I forgot about the one bounce thing...and my porous memory had me remembering sinking hook shots from near the light pole, nothin' but net. :) Somehow I think it was a bit closer.