Slamball is a variation on the game of basketball, but with trampolines added in front of the baskets so that players can jump much higher. It was invented by an American called Mason Gordon, who wanted to enhance basketball so it was more like watching a video game than the standard sport. It was first played in California in 2002 and has quickly grown in popularity. Slam Ball has been shown on sports TV channels around the world and the two main teams are the Los Angeles Rumble and Chicago Mob. The winners of the last championship were the Slashers, also from Los Angeles.
How is Slamball different from regular basketball?
The main difference from ordinary basketball is the four trampolines which are in front of the baskets. Also, there are only 4 players from each team on the court at any one time instead of 5, and there are more defined roles within the game such as handler, gunner and stopper. Slam ball also allows full contact between the opposing teams which makes the game more exciting to watch, but also more dangerous for players. Games are played in 4 periods of 5 minutes, which is shorter than a basketball game which is 4 quarters of 12 minutes each. The court is surrounded by a plexi-glass wall like a hockey court, to keep the players on the court and the spectators safe. Teams are allowed unlimited amounts of substitutes, and usually have 8 or 9 players on the bench and change the players on the court around often during the match. More points are given for scoring a slam dunk than for any other type of basket, and this encourages the use of the trampolines and makes it more of a show for the audience.
