1 Ball + 1 Hoop = Unlimited Amount of Games

The weather is still good! For a little bit, at least. Time to make the kids get outside and enjoy the sun before Mother Nature begins to get ugly.  Some activities require more equipment than others, but with just two pieces you can give your kids so many options.  All you need is a basketball hoop and a basketball and the amount of games your kids can play is endless really.

A ball is easy enough to come by, but a hoop may require a little more leg work.  The best place to go would actually be the neighborhood park where there would be plenty of other willing participants to play in the games.  They should also have other basketballs to play the games requiring more than one.  So not only are they outside, they are getting exercise, meeting new friends and getting a little friendly competitive spirit as well.

Here are just a couple games that are relatively easy to explain and play and with a little practice, anyone can be the best.  These are just the basic rules to the games and they can be adjusted to suit any situation.  So don’t be afraid to turn the “three point line” into “behind the mailbox.”  While some of the games can only be played with more than one person, anyone can play these by themselves to help develop their own basketball skills.

If you have any variation that you’d like to share please do and post some comments below

H-O-R-S-E

This is a game that can be played anywhere by anyone really.  Any shot goes, as long as someone makes it first.  The point of this game is to NOT spell “Horse.”  How you acquire letters is simple:  Players take turns shooting the ball.  If one person makes a shot the everyone must make that shot. If a shot must include a movement or shooting position, it must be called out (bank, swish, layup, etc.) before the shot is made. If a player misses that shot then they earn a letter (H, O, R, S or E).

Once everyone has had a chance to attempt the shot, the person who initially made the shot is free to shoot from anywhere.  The first person to spell “Horse” loses.

Variations:

• Shooting can continue until someone gets a letter;  if all other players make the shot, the person who initially made the shot must make it again.
• To speed up the game, play P-I-G (or really any word you want)
• Made shots may not be repeated
• Insurance Shot: A spot is designated before the game begins and if a player who accumulates all letters is able to make the shot, then they earn the chance to be back in the game for one more letter.

Around the World

This game is typically played on a court where there are painted key lines and three point line, but like I said before, feel free to design your own course.  The basic concept of the game is to make a series of shots, starting on one side of the hoop and ending on the other.  The shots vary in difficulty and must all be completed in succession in order to win.

Play typically starts at the edge of the key on one side of the basket. If the shot is made, the player advances to the next position mark on the key.  If at any point a player misses a shot, then they must start all over again when it is their turn.  A player may use their ONE “Chance”, meaning he gets to take a second shot. If the second shot is made, the player advances as normal. If the player misses the second shot, then the player must go back to the start. The player has only one chance the whole game.

When a player has made shots on every mark, they then advance to the corner of the free throw line. When a free throw is made, the player then advances down the other side of the key back toward the basket.  After the player has moved around the key, a shot must be made from directly under the basket. Finally, the player must make a shot from the center of the three point line.

Firing Squad

This game is basically the same concept as Around the World but with the element of speed added.  Usually played with only two players, each starting on opposite sides of the basket with a ball.  The object is to be the first one to make the designated series of shots (same as Around the World)

Steal the Bacon

Two balls are placed in the middle of the court. Teams are divided up evenly with unlimited players, usually only 10 though. They each get assigned a number. When their number is called (by a designated non-player) the two run out to the middle and get the balls, the first one to make it gets a point for their team. Two numbers may be called out for a team effort.

Variations:

• Use only one ball and make it a race to get to the ball and make a shot

Knock Out

This game is also sometimes called “Bump,” “Lightning” or ”Gotcha” but all are played the same way.

Two balls are used. A line of players is formed anywhere on the court (usually the top of the Key or the free throw line) and this is where all players must attempt their first shot from this point. The first and second players in the line start with the basketballs. Play begins with Player #1’s first shot; after that shot player #2 may shoot.

If the first shot by a player is missed they must follow their rebound and try to make a basket from anywhere on the court. The game at this point is between player #1 and #2; if player #2 makes a shot first, player #1 is “knocked out” (eliminated from the game). If a Player #1 makes a shot first, he passes the ball to player #3 (or if only 2 players are left, or it is a 2-man-game, they must return to the starting point and attempt to “knock out” player #2). The object of the game is to “knock out” the other players. Players may only touch their own ball.

Variations:

• Ability to knock or bump the other players ball with your ball; the point of this is to put a player far away from the basket in a vulnerable position to be “knocked out”.