in social ball refs will call the foul almost anytime you jump at a player who is driving , even if you go straight up. however, and this is what stuffed me up, if you just step across into their path or straight into them during their steps will almost never get called (unless its obvious, just impede their ability to jump, usually come in from the side). watch most players and they jump really early to avoid this. in social its 99.9% zone defence, beat the 2 guys out by the key and you are home free to leap at the centre. i could beat them everytime but during my drive to the basket before i jump they would just run straight into me, never plant their feet. never jump straight up. for a slasher type player who jumps like a fat lady it was incredibly irritating lol. will happen a dozen times every game, get called once.
a few seasons i got stuck at centre, which is far from ideal for a 6 footer. i let players run at me and jump, stood my ground. never tried to fall back just stood solid. they missed almost everytime lol, i think they always expected contact, but also i was able to just get a couple of fingers to the ball on the way up because i didnt have to worry about timing the jump and not fouling them. much easier to target the ball when your not moving.
basically you dont always have to jump at the driving player ( at least not at the easier social levels). more shots are stopped by players stripping the ball as the shooter brings it up then shot blocks.blocks just look cooler.