With a Lifetime hoop in your driveway you can enjoy many basketball games and drills, no matter how many (or few) players you have. This post will go over some of the creative games that will help you improve your basketballs skills while having a blast.
Lightning
Number of players: 3+
Number of basketballs needed: 2
Skills Developed: Passing, catching, jump shots, layups, rebounding, performing under pressure
One of the more popular and famous basketball games, Lightning can be played with any number of players as long as you have at least three. A spot is selected on the court to shoot from, and then all players line up single file on that spot, with the front two players possessing the two basketballs. The first player takes a shot from the designated spot, and then the second player. If the first player makes his shot, he collects and passes it to the third player in the line. If he misses his shot, he has to rebound his own ball and shoot again until he makes the shot or is eliminated, whichever comes first. A player’s first shot during his turn is always from the designated spot, but if he misses, follow-up shots can be attempted from anywhere. If he makes a shot before being eliminated and returns to the line, he must first shoot from the designated spot again to start his next turn. A player is eliminated when the player behind him makes a shot before he does. In such a case, the eliminated player passes his ball to the next player in line and sits out for the rest of the game. Play continues until all players but one have been eliminated.
When only two players remain, players will no longer pass the ball to another when they make a shot; instead, they will gather the ball and return to the shooting spot and shoot again, trying to make a basket before the other player can. In Lightning, a player is eliminated when a player behind him in line makes a shot before he does, even if the line is only two players long. When one player remains, the game is over and the remaining player has won.
5 in a Row
Number of players: 1+
Number of basketballs needed: 1
Skills Developed: Shooting technique, rebounding
For the game “5 in a Row,” a shooting spot is selected on the court, and the player(s) has to shoot from that spot until he makes fives baskets in a row. If he misses one, the count starts over. After the five baskets are made, the player(s) takes a big step back and repeats the challenge from a longer distance, again resetting from the new shooting spot if one is missed. When five baskets in a row are made, the shooting spot is extended again and the game continues. 5 in a Row ends when the player(s) can’t move back any further, when a predetermined number of spot extensions are achieved, or when a timer runs out. For multiple players, shooting at the same time can make the game more exciting. More skilled players can shoot from more difficult spots.
1 Up, 2 Down
Number of players: 1
Number of basketballs needed: 1
Skills Developed: Shooting technique, performance under pressure
To play 1 Up, 2 Down, a player selects a shooting spot on the court and attempts to make baskets from there, granting himself one point for each made basket, but subtracting two points for each miss. When the player reaches ten points, he wins the spot and can choose a new, more difficult one from which to shoot. If the player reaches negative ten points, he can choose an easier spot to shoot from or start over from the same place.
7 on the Line
Number of players: 1+
Number of basketballs needed: 1
Skills Developed: Foul shots under pressure
In 7 on the Line, players arrange themselves single file behind the free throw line. One at a time, they shoot a free throw. If a player makes a shot, one point is added to the “count.” The count starts at one and climbs by one point for each made shot until a player misses, in which case the player that missed loses a number of lives equal to the count, which then resets to one. Players who lose all their lives are eliminated and play continues until only one player remains, who is the winner. For example, if John, Katie, and Sally all make their free throw shots, then Kyle misses, Kyle loses four lives. This game can be played with any number of players and lives, but common practice is to start all players with seven lives. Players can count the number of points on the line together.
Tip-In
Number of players: 3+
Number of basketballs needed: 1
Skills Developed: Shooting, rebounding, foul shots, dribbling through multiple opponents, defense
A great, fast-paced game for small or large groups of players, Tip-In pits all players against each other to be the first to 21 points. The game starts when the ball is thrown against the backboard; this is called “breaking.” All players attempt a rebound off the break, and the player who successfully collects the rebound then attempts to score while all other players team up to defend. If the offensive player shoots, all others are eligible for the rebound. If the shot is made, the offensive player scores two points and gets to attempt free throws for more. If a free throw is made, another one is attempted. If the second is made, a third is attempted, and if the third is made, the player then “breaks” the ball once again, restarting the scramble for possession. If a shot is missed at any point, the rebound is up for grabs by all players.
The game is called “Tip-In” because if a player can rebound a missed shot and score a basket, all without touching the ground (often called a “tip-in” in basketball), the shooting player’s score resets to zero. If the player’s score was above 11, it only resets to 11. The player who made the tip-in scores two points and attempts free throws, as always up to three of them.
Poison
Number of players: 3+
Number of basketballs needed: 1
Skills Developed: Shooting, hand-eye coordination, ball handling
Poison is a fun group game that starts with a designated shooting location, often the free throw line. The players line up single file at the spot, and the first player in line takes shot. If the shot misses, the next player in line must catch the ball after it bounces once but before a second bounce. That player will then take a shot from the exact location the ball was caught. If a shot is made, the player who took the shot must be the one to catch the ball, after the first bounce but before the second. They will then shoot from the spot where the ball was collected. If a player makes three shots in a row, all players besides the one shooting will run and scatter. If the shooting player successfully recovers the ball between the first and second bounce, they yell “Poison!” The scattering players have to freeze in place. The shooting player will then “bowl” the ball by rolling it along the ground towards other players. If it contacts any frozen player, that player is out of the game. If the ball misses and contacts no players, no player is eliminated. After the bowling event, the next player in line takes over shooting the ball once more. Players are eliminated if they make a shot and then fail to catch the ball before the second bounce, if the players ahead of them in line misses a shot and they fail to collect it before the second bounce, or if they are struck by a bowled ball. Play continues until all players but one are eliminated, and the last player remaining wins.
Around the World
Number of players: 1+
Number of basketballs needed: 1
Skills Developed: Jump shots, layups, foul shots, performance under pressure, and risk analysis
One of the classic basketball drills, Around the World gives players a chance to practice their shooting skills while competing with themselves or each other to make it more fun. For Around the World, several (usually 9) shooting positions are designated in sequence around the court area, preferably spread out so shots are attempted from different angles and distances. A player will start on the first shooting position and attempt to make a basket. If the basket is made, the player will move to the next position and attempt to shoot from the new spot. If the shot is made, they will continue through the sequence of designated shooting spots. If a player misses their first attempt at given location, they can either choose to pause their round and begin from that location on their next turn or choose to “chance it” and shoot again. If the “chance” shot is made, the player can continue to the next shot as if a basket was never missed. However, if the “chance” shot is missed, the player’s turn is over and they have to start all the way over at the beginning of their next turn. After a player completes their round (either because of missing two shots or choosing not to chance it), the next player in line will get to play, either starting from the beginning or from where they last paused their round. Once a player makes all nine (or however many positions were designated) shots in a row without missing, that player wins the game, and the remaining players compete for second and then third place.
These are only a few of the many unique games and drills that can be played at home or anywhere you have a Lifetime basketball hoop set up! As you and your friends and family play, you may discover or invent your own games and drills to make playing basketball even more creative and fun. All of these games are a great way to have fun with friends or spend quality time with family. For more information of Lifetime Basketball, or to see available basketball hoops, visit our basketball page.
