Cricket
It was summer, and I was Year 9 or 10. As was usual for the summer, out came the cricket equipment. I used to enjoy this time as, despite finding no enjoyment in the game, the teacher tended not to mind so much if you just dossed about fielding.

So there I was, minding my own business, kicking my feet and watching the birds fly overhead, when LO! The ball came hurtling toward my area. I went for it with less-than-obvious enthusiasm, but, as was frankly expected with my athletic prowess, I didn't make it. I picked the ball up and prepared for the long throw back to the wicket-keeper.

I pull my arm back, the sun glares in my eye, they close, and with all my might I hurl the ball in my team mates direction. I open my eyes again. Everyone has stopped moving, and is staring at me. Why hasn't he caught the ball?

This is when the hysterical laughter breaks out. Even the opposite team has stopped and is joining in the giggle. I look around. About three feet behind me, sat gloriously in the dry summer heat, was the cricket ball.

Yes that's right. I threw as hard as I could, and the damn ball ended up three feet behind me.
I hold this as a strange point of pride.
(TheSconeMan Overlord of Doom, Thu 19 Apr 2012, 23:10, 2 replies)

You're/I'm not the only one!
I had a very similar experience at the same age - the ball ended up behind me not once, but twice in a row. It was a very wet day in my case though - you didn't happen to have exceptionally sweaty hands, did you?
(Lythium deals in lead, my friend., Fri 20 Apr 2012, 9:47, closed)

I've done a very similar thing with a football
Another miserable Wednesday afternoon, and our PE teacher slid in a cross to me. He was a good sort, always willing to let the crap boy have his turn.

I was, literally, on the goal-line. The only way I could fail was to miss the ball entirely.

I didn't fail. I made contact with the ball. Rather than hoof it fifty yards, I simply favoured the nonchalant tap-in approach.

The ball bounced off my foot, lost all momentum, and dropped vertically onto the goal-line where it was retrieved by a grateful keeper.
( ousgg is not seeking approval, Sat 21 Apr 2012, 20:50, closed)