Basketball

You may be surprised to find out that basketball is pretty popular in Korea. Granted its not on the same level as soccer, baseball, or golf, but its up there. There are a few differences in the style and play of the game though.

Style is different because they treat it much more like a team sport. So more passing and a greater focus on fundamentals than the sheer athletic ability seen in the American game. They will also take longer and make the extra pass if it can set up a better shot.

Play is a bit different too, like I said they focus more on dribbling, so their shooting (and finishing around the rim) isn't all that great. This forces them into jump shots which hinders their ability to get rebounds. In many ways the play the complete opposite of my strengths, which is good I suppose. I've been trying to play their game their way, to make myself a better, more balanced player and its been going well so far.

The good is that they try pretty hard most all the time, the bad however is that the talent really isn't there. I'm not saying that I'm good, by any means, but I haven't lost a game of one-on-one here yet. I've played a lot of different ages (high school through adults) and varieties of courts (mostly paved and dirt outdoor courts) and I really haven't had a problem yet. I know that you're thinking "well duh, you can just back them into the paint and shoot layups all day" but I've been avoiding doing that. I've been trying to beat people off of dribbles and on jump shots, and its been working pretty well. Its hard to describe, because I may not be faster than they are, but I'm faster on the court. I'm able to see the shot or rebound before they are, allowing me to get there first. I would guess that that came from not playing as much as Americans do as kids. Perhaps they're better in the baseball and soccer. We'll find out whenever my baseball glove shows up (its stuck in customs).