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

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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Two-on-two hoops provides a great way to develop chemistry with a teammate. You don't have anyone else to pass the ball to!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy
Step1
Pick a scoring system for your game. Most recreational games award one point for normal shots made and two points for shots made beyond the three-point arc. Feel free to follow conventional scoring methods as well.
Step2
Set a winning score. Hoop games usually end at 11 points, scoring by ones. Also common are 7-, 15-, and 21-point games. Set a high winning score if you're scoring the game conventionally.
Step3
Decide on possession after scores. Winner's outs (or "make it and take it") gives the ball back to your team after you score. Loser's outs gives the ball to your opponents after you score.
Step4
Determine a clearing point: a spot where each team must take the ball after rebounding an opponent's missed shot. This establishes continuity by giving both teams a chance to set up for the next play. The three-point line is almost always used as a clearing point.
Step5
Start the game once you've finished arguing over which team gets the ball first.
Step6
Call your own fouls as they occur. Decide between shooting free throws or awarding possession to the player who has been fouled and stick to the decision.
Step7
Run it back. Rematches give the losing team a chance at redemption, while providing the winners with opportunities to gloat.

Tips & Warnings

  • Having two players on a team enables you to run one of basketball's most basic and effective plays: the pick and roll. (See Related eHows.) Force your opponents to defend it.
  • Look to exploit any mismatches in a two-on-two game. Capitalize on height advantages by pounding it in to your taller player in the post. Or take advantage of a slower defender by isolating that player on one side of the floor, and then taking him or her to school. Be ready to help out a teammate or ask for help if you're on the losing end of these matchups.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Two-on-two is easy. Draw the defenders out, so it's man-to-man. The better ball handler and finisher (or maybe the all-round better player) makes a hard basket cut and gets the pass to finish it. Soon, the opponents will get smart to it, so mix it up. Players can switch up positions, if one is a successful shooter - fake your shot and take it to the hoop.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Be active in 2-on-2. If your teammate drives to the hoop, get open for a jump shot or 3. If your teammate shoots, get on the boards and get a rebound. You need to always move around. Hustle usually wins the games over talent.

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eHow Article: How to Play Two-on-Two Half-Court Basketball

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