How to Play One-on-One Half-Court Basketball

A ball, a hoop and an opponent are all you need to play one-on-one basketball. Work on your game, get great exercise and have fun.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Athletic Socks
• Basketball Uniforms
• Basketball Hoops
• Basketball Shoes
• Basketballs
• Basketball Videos
• Basketballs

1. Pick a scoring system for your game. Most recreational games award one point for normal shots and two points for shots made beyond the three-point line. Feel free to use conventional two- and three-point scoring if you prefer.

2. Set a winning score. One-on-one hoop games usually end at 11 points. Also common are 7-, 15- and 21-point games. Set a high winning score if you're using conventional scoring.

3. Next decide on possession. Winner's outs (or 'make it and take it') gives you the ball back after you score. Loser's outs gives the ball to your opponent after you score.

4. Determine a clearing point: a spot where each player must take the ball after rebounding an opponent's missed shot. This establishes continuity by giving both players a chance to set up for the next play. The three-point line is almost always used as a clearing point.

5. Start the game once you've finished arguing over who gets the ball first (or be quiet and shoot a free throw to decide).

6. Call your own fouls as they occur. Agree on whether you want just defense to call fouls, or just offense (or anyone at all). Decide between shooting free throws and awarding possession to the player who has been fouled. Once it's decided, stick to the choice.

7. Run the ball back to the clearing point. Rematches give the losing player a chance at redemption, while providing the winner with opportunities for further gloating.

Tips & Warnings

• One-on-one basketball provides a chance to polish up your bread-and-butter moves, test new tricks and improve your individual game like no other game can.
• Playing inside at the post position with your back to the basket, blowing by your opponent on the way to the hoop, and pulling up for a jump shot are effective ways to score in a one-on-one game.
• Agree on what kind of change of possession calls for the ball to be cleared: all changes, just shots that hit the backboard or rim, or some other action.

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on 11/22/2005 To make a one-on-one game more realistic and to develop skills that will be useful in a real game, a good rule to add is a limit on the number of dribbles a player can take. I usually play 4 dribbles per attempt. The ball is checked at the 3 point line for every made basket and every change of possession. The number of dribbles is reset after an offensive rebound. This especially helps players develop quick, explosive movements to the basket.

on 11/22/2005 If a forward gets on you and tries to take the ball, then did you know all you have to do is hit the ball off their foot and let it go out of bounds?

on 11/22/2005 The one and only most helpful tip I know that you can use for one-on-one if some of you girls play with the guys: never pick up your dribble and take an outside shot or a power layup; use a quick crossover or a spin move!

on 11/22/2005 The most important thing in scoring in 1 on 1 is that you must never dribble your opponent inside 3 point zone. If you decide to shoot behind the free shot zone it's better that you jump backwards a little.

on 11/22/2005 Serious basketball players see someone who they don't know asking to play 1-on-1 as a personal challenge. I suggest playing 21 or horse with someone you don't know.