Basketball’s Not Just About 3-on-3 Anymore
But for even the most devoted players, the same old 3-on-3 game can get a little stale. Sure, you still get a thrill when you swoosh that “3-pointer” from ten feet into the yard, but grinding out a game with the neighbors can get a little old no matter how many threes you hit.
Never fear, hardwood heroes; fighting the basketball blues is easier than you think. In fact, it can be as simple as changing up the games you play. Just like baking cakes and skinning cats, there’s more than one way to play basketball. Here’s a list of games to get you started: some are old classics and others are relatively new, but all of them will have you whistling the Globetrotters’ “Sweet Georgia Brown” all over again.
Knockout. This is a favorite of bored school kids and basketball teams alike. Knockout usually begins at the free throw line, though it can be moved back for extra challenge. Players line up single-file at the line, and the first two players in line each have a ball. To begin the game, the first player in line shoots the ball, and the person behind him follows suit. If the shots miss, each player chases down their ball and may shoot from anywhere (including lay-ups). Once they make their shot, they pass the ball to the next person in line and that person does the same.
Here’s the tricky part. In order to knock a player out of the game, a shooter must make his shot before the person in front of him does. Example: if Player A shoots first, followed by Player B, then B must sink his shot before A does in order to knock him out. If A sinks his shot first, he moves to the back of the line, and Player C is now trying to knock B out. The process continues until only one player remains.
32. Thirty-two is a type of cutthroat basketball, meaning every player is playing for themselves. For this description, we’ll assume that the game is played on a basketball court with three-point and half court markings. The rules can easily be modified, however, by either making up lines or altering the rules to allow for your court/driveway/street.
The game begins when one brave soul takes a shot from the half court line. If they sink it, they get six points and get the ball back. If they miss it, the ball becomes live and whoever comes up with it can begin trying to score. Generally, most people say that players who rebound do not need to take the ball back to the three point line before they can shoot, but it is one of the many house rules found in basketball, and might be different where you play (unless it’s your house, of course). The game continues in much the standard fashion. Each player keeps tabs on their own score, and the first to hit or pass 32 points is declared the winner.
There is, however, a twist. Thirty-two allows for a system of removing both points and players from the game. This is achieved through “tipping” the ball – jumping and simultaneously catching and shooting the ball before your feet touch the ground. Generally, two-handed tips mean that the player who shot the ball will lose all of his points, while one-handed tips eliminate the shooter from the game. These rules can vary, however, depending on the competition level and preferences of the players.
HORSE. Okay, it’s an old classic, but it can be one of the most challenging games you’ll play with your friends. It’s best played with a small group of people: two to four works best. The game is a simple game of copy-cat. One player shoots the ball, often in interesting or unique ways, and if he makes it, the other players must mimic the shot until everyone makes it or one person misses it. If a person misses the shot, they receive a letter in the word “horse,” and the next player in line takes a shot of their choice, starting the process again. If a player misses enough shots to spell “horse,” the shot must be “proved” for the player to be eliminated. This means that the player who first made the shot must make it again. If they make it, the player is eliminated; if they miss, the player reverts to “h-o-r-s” and continues to play.
So if you’re looking for a new game this summer, grab a few friends and take these out for a spin. Even if you love your good old 3-on-3 grinder, finding a new way to play can add a little variety – and maybe a little more fun – to your backyard hoops game.
