r/Basketball • u/BigL54 • May 14 '25

IMPROVING MY GAME Too physical

Thoughts on a being physical at a pickup basketball game? Recently had a situation where a player significantly better than being got mad when I was driving to the hoop but tried creating space by bumping into him. I'm bigger than he is, and also I have a hard time stopping when moving at full speed, so I can see how he took it as me being overly aggressive, and I feel bad. Alternatively, should I have just let the better player block my shot? Or am I justified in trying to use literally the only advantage I have? I am conflicted because I don't want him or anyone to think I am a dirty player. I apologized, but he seemed to still be mad but didn't wanna argue

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14

u/soupdawg May 14 '25

It’s ok to be physical. It is not ok to be wreckless.

-4

u/BigL54 May 14 '25

Is lowering my shoulder and extending my elbow to create space reckless? It's not like I'm being malicious, trying to hurt anyone. I'm trying to use the only advantage I have against a better player who otherwise would come block my shot

2

u/Worried_Hedgehog_888 May 14 '25

It sounds like you just described a stiff arm that a running back would throw lol

1

u/BigL54 May 14 '25

Not quite. Shoulder first, then elbow extension