Playing streetballInformality is the essence of the game
Playing streetball
Informality is the essence of the game
By Florence Cheng
Streetball, some believe, first started among young African-Americans and was an evolution of the traditional five-player basketball game.
With bouncy pop-music accompanying it, street-ball is considered free, casual and energetic.
“For youngsters, playing streetball in an open area is a good way of making new friends,” said Mr. Chung Tak Yau, assistant recreation and sport officer for Sport Promotion.
The streetball court is just half the size of a standard basketball court, with only one basket.
The running time is less in this smaller area, which helps to tighten the feel of the game.
“It is speedy and exciting. I am able to express my skill better, since fewer people are taking part at the same time,” said Miss Yau Wai Yan, a streetball player.
There are usually no more than three people on each team. And different strategies are applied in the game.
“Defense is extremely important,” said Mr. Ng Keung, the coach of Hong Kong Sport Association for the Physically Disabled.
Mr. Bill Foudy of Bomb Squad, the champion of last year’s Adidas streetball competition, said, “For streetball, unlike basketball with the three crucial points at the corners, more attention should be paid to the area under the basket.”
He also said that players need to plan every attack carefully since the game lasts a much shorter time.
For example, in a formal 10-minute competition, each team is able to score seven to eight points on average.
Though there are no specific rules for the original form of streetball, Federal International Basketball Association rules and referees meeting international standards are used in local competitions.
The very first local streetball competition was held in Victoria Park in 1993.
Mr. William Chong, assistant manager of Marketing Service of Adidas Hong Kong Limited, said, “Hong Kong is the second region to hold such large-scale streetball competitions in Asia. The first country was Japan.”
For a competition held in March, participants were divided into seven categories: Men’s and Ladies’ Open, Men’s and Ladies’ Aged 16-20, Men’s Under Age 16, and Family and Wheelchair groups.
Said Mr. Chong: “The winners of Men’s and Ladies’ 16-20 will represent Hong Kong and go to Paris for the Adidas Streetball World Championship in September.
“It’s a good opportunity for the participants to share experiences and upgrade skills in these international competitions.”
With 3 years’ experience in organizing streetball competitions, Mr. Chong is satisfied with the public response to streetball.
“More people are getting familiar with streetball. There are 763 teams participating in the competition this March. It is three times the number when it was first held.
“It’s becoming more and more popular,” he said.
Added Mr. Foudy: “It’s sutiable for Hong Kong because there is insufficient space here to build indoor sports centers.”
The next competition will be held in July.
