10 Types of Players You Will Encounter in Every Pick-Up Game

If you’ve ever played a pick-up basketball game in the Philippines, you’ll know that our courts are full of interesting characters. Here are a few that you’ve probably met at some point of your ball-playing life:

1. All Heart, No Skill

If life were a video game, his hustle rating would be at 100. He’s a great guy to have on the team because of that; you just kind of wish his other ratings went above 40.

2. Mr. Tito 

Everything about him screams old-school, from sky hooks to gulang moves like tugging on your shorts in the post. No one really calls him out on the latter, though, because we were all told to respect our elders.

3. Touch Foul Guy

The slightest bump is a foul—as long as he’s the one being bumped. It’s a good thing pick-up games don’t have free throws; otherwise, he’d average 20 PPG on the line.

4. No Blood, No Foul

This guy's favorite song must be "Let's Get Physical," because he almost always mows down opponents, as well as teammates, in every play. His battle cry? "Wala namang nasaktan, eh!" Consider this guy Touch Foul's mortal enemy.

5. The Draft Pick

Whether he's an ex-varsity player everyone always scrambles to pick first, or he's a natural phenom,  everything he does on the court looks effortless. If he’s on your team, the strategy usually becomes “Just give him the ball”—he's basically a one-man team.

6. Coach Carter

This self-appointed coach is often seen barking out plays and screaming matchups like your lives depended on winning this game. His approach to the game is so intense that if he told you to drop and give him 20, you’d probably do it. 

7. All-Star Referee

There's always that one teammate who acts like he swallowed the rule book. He loves the game so much, he's bound to its rules and regulations—so much so that he becomes the self-proclaimed ref (even while playing). How to spot him? He's the only one keeping track of the score (and calling out all the fouls).

8. All Gear, Some Game

Like the old saying goes: “If you can’t perform, just make porma.” This dude is more concerned about how his #BOOTD (basketball outfit of the day) looks than about his skills. For a laugh, you can try to step on his brand-new shoes and watch him jump away.

9. Mr. I Don’t Want to Run

This guy is always the first guy back on defense—but that’s because he never really crossed half-court, to begin with. He might not run a lot, but you can probably expect a few decent outlet passes from him.

10. Sweaty Stinky Slippery Guy

It’s amazing how a single human being can produce so much sweat. Defending him is like chasing down a greased pig: it’s tough, it’s necessary, and you somehow end up smelling like raw bacon that’s sat out for too long. It isn’t just his sweat that sticks to you; it’s his smell, too.

His body odor and greasy sweat make him that guy you wish you didn't have to guard or box out—even the ball gets slippery and slimy after it passes through his hands.

You do not want to be this guy. But most people are way too polite to call Sweaty Stink Slippery Guy out on his problem. They’ll just grin and bear it—and probably laugh about him when he’s not around.

That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure your sweat never becomes a problem in the first place. A good deodorant, like Rexona Ice Cool + Anti-Stain, should always be in your sports bag, especially when #BallisLife. With its trademark MotionSense technology, Rexona Ice Cool works harder the more active you are, so you’ll look and smell fresh long after the game’s over.

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