Basketball practice comes in many forms: full games with two teams, practicing drills, or a quick one-on-one game. Whether you have a half-court, full-court, or portable basketball hoop, there are plenty more games to choose from. 

A variety of games mixes up the way you practice, and allows for fun for all ages. 

Take a look at some of the games you can play with a basketball and hoop:

Horse

Horse is great for shooting practice, and can be as challenging as the players want it to be. The game begins when a player makes a shot from a selected location on the court. The rest of players aim to make the same shot, but if they miss, they get a letter toward the word HORSE. A player is out after they’ve collected all the letters. 

Knock Out

For Knock Out, you need two basketballs and two or more players. This game begins at the free-throw line, making it great free-throw practice! The first player shoots the ball. If they miss, the second player has a chance to knock them out before they are able to collect the ball and make a shot. 

Around the World 

Before play begins, mark predetermined spots on the court where shots must be made. Each player aims to go “around the world” by making consecutive shots from every predetermined mark. If a shot is missed, they must go back to the beginning. This game can be played with one player shooting at a time, or with multiple players shooting at once (also called Firing Squad).

Musical Basketballs

A fun twist on musical chairs, this one is great for younger children. Every player needs a ball, which are placed in a circle. When the music starts playing, kids walk around the circle of balls. Once the music pauses, every player grabs a ball and shoots. Once a player makes a basket, they sit. The last player standing is out, and the music begins again.

Sharks and Minnows

This is a great beginner game that focuses on dribbling the ball. One or two players are “sharks,” and the rest are “minnows.” Minnows line up, each with a basketball in hand, at the far end of the court. When the whistle blows, minnows begin dribbling their ball to the far end of the court. If a shark knocks the ball away, that minnow becomes a shark in the next round. The last minnow dribbling is the winner. 

What basketball games will you be playing this summer?