Last minute session Yesterday @ Wright College. Hooked up with Ronnie and took the bus out there. It was a little over an hour to get to the freakin site. Met up with Tom and Freddy and found out that the school was on spring break. We hacked for a while to warm up then played a game of 4-square using the lines on the sidewalk. Tom won despite being handicapped by a jacket dog. Seriously. We then moved to a new spot to set up my rope court. Tom walked back home to drop off the dog with his sister. In his absence I won a game of 3 square taking advantage of the large 16x16 court but still generally playing like wet donkey poop. We started 4-square when Tom came back.
We tried his new rule, Last Man Standing(?). There is no score in the conventional sense but each player is allowed an x amount "lives". When he is killed (by committing a foul, kicking the bag out or taken out by another player) he loses a life. He can remain in the game but until he has zero lives and the remaining players continue until one player wins. Yet another cool rule, reminds of of Highlander. In fact this rule might be more true to the Highlander movie than the 2 previous rules we've used
First game was set to 5 lives per player. I was targeting Tom early and often since he can pretty much score at will. I might have only gotten 1 or 2 kills on him but putting him in the hole early was a big help in getting the win eventually.
The next game we played the same rule but with 7 lives for each player. This time I was targeted early and eventually eliminated. Those early kills really do factor in since there is now a sense of urgency to stay in the game. You either play more determined or play very sloppy. Tom gets the win over Ronnie after eliminating me and Freddy. Both games had plenty of long rounds and good saves but all that was nothing compared to the final game.
Highlander Beta was in play. Again, I tried to get Tom early but he managed to ace me and Ronnie first and jump out to a commanding lead. I eventually aced Ronnie and sneaked in a kill on Tom. Now we both needed a kill on Freddy for the win. Fredward, who was well aware of the situation, put on his game face and proceeded to to play the best defense I think I've ever seen any one play in such a long period of time. No joke, no exaggeration.
I watched him during the first round of 4S at NYJ and he confidently sent back just about every shot that was sent his way with ease. Yesterday, we all watched as he took it up another level. Against me and Tom he played off multiple body screens, snaked us while we set up, dug short passes, adjusted to double taps and returned both high and low arcing shots. This went on round after round. I don't know about Tom, but I was getting pretty frustrated! We even resorted to helping Freddy defend his square from each other in a frantic swarm of swinging legs and flying feet. I think the constant barrage was eventually wearing Freddy out, though.
In the final play I had the bag at king, Ronnie @3, Freddy diagonal from me @2 then Tom @1. I backed off from the first square to prevent any snaking. Ronnie was standing near the center of the court as Freddy shifted position to peak over Ronnie's left shoulder. I saw my opportunity and used Ronnie as an unintentional screen (just as Tom was warning him of it) and launched a desperate shot to Freddy's right corner. Freddy lunged for the pass but it miraculously sailed just above his right leg for the ace and the win. Finally! Great game. Props went all around, specially for Freddy and the way he played.
Can't wait to play more squares!
I couldn't make it Sunday to the Pier (rumor has it was a holiday of some sorts). I gots to find a way to keep more in touch, especially when Grant Park or Oak Street Beach sessions are going down.
Depaul (why haven't we kicked there yet? It's only like 2 blocks from Jonquil.
Awwwww...