Smart Moves By Master of Deception

SI Staff | Oct 6, 2014

Smart Moves By Master of Deception /

Smart Moves By Master of Deception

Frank Ramsey 1 — Illustrations by Robert Handville

Frank Ramsey once was fouled so quickly after coming into a game that his Celtic teammate, Bill Russell, commented, "Frank was still so cold he had to warm up before shooting his free throw." No one has ever been better at the art of suckering an opponent into committing fouls than this former All-America from Kentucky. Ramsey capitalizes on the fact that, by its rule, basketball is a non-body-contact sport. When contact occurs -- even accidentally -- the chances are a foul will be called. Free throws account for some 20% of points scored, so it obviously is more blessed to be fouled than to foul. While it is both efficient and ethical to lure an opponent into committing a foul, Ramsey takes this strategy even further, into the realm of gamesmanship -- which may affront some concepts of fair play but is accepted practice in the most skilled strata of sport. The spectator's appreciation will be enhanced by Ramsey's revelations on the following pages. By Frank Ramsey (with Frank Deford) (12.9.63)

Frank Ramsey

Published Oct 6, 2014

SI STAFF