- Outside basketball games can keep you physically fit and entertained.basketball image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
The versatility of basketball--virtually anyone can play it, day or night, alone or with friends--makes it extremely popular worldwide. In fact, FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, estimates that more than 450 million people play basketball on at least a recreational basis. The vast majority of these games occur on outdoor courts. Hundreds of thousands of outdoor basketball courts dot the playgrounds, driveways, schools and parks of the world. There are a number of outdoor basketball games, apart from the the traditional pickup game, that can be played alone or with friends. - A fun way to practice shooting, while feeling some of the added pressure of a game situation, is to make a competition of it. Inspired by the NBA's three-point shooting contest during the weekend of the All-Star Game, the rules are simple: Agree on a set number of shots and the spot from which you will shoot. For example, you may choose to shoot 10 shots from the top of the key or five from one spot and five from another. The object of the game is to make the most shots from each of the spots. The player who makes the most shots wins. You can alternate players with each shot or one player can shoot all of his shots followed by the next player.
- Twenty-One is a variation of a one-on-one game that can be played with two or more players. The object of the game is to score exactly 21 points. It begins with one player taking the ball outside of the three-point line and attempting to score. If he is successful in scoring, then he is awarded two points and gets to shoot up to three free throws, depending on whether or not he makes the preceding free throws. Some games of Twenty-One allow a shot from behind the three-point line to count as three points. If a shot is missed at any point, any other player may gather the rebound, take the ball out past the three-point line and attempt to score. The first player to reach 21 points (each player keeps their own score) via made shots and free throws wins.
- Knock-Out is a popular outdoor basketball game for large groups. To begin, a line is formed from the free-throw or three-point line backward, depending on how far away you wish to shoot from. The first two players in line start with basketballs. Player 1 shoots the ball, and as soon as he releases his shot Player 2 is free to shoot. Should Player 1 miss and Player 2 make his shot prior to Player 1 making his shot, Player 1 is eliminated from play. However, each player is allowed to keep shooting until they either make their shot or are eliminated. As soon as a player makes a shot, they pass the ball to the next person waiting in line, and the game continues in this manner until one player is left standing.
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