How to Find a Pickup Basketball Game

Pickup basketball games are going on in almost every neighborhood and town. Unfortunately, they do not advertise their location in the newspaper or on billboards. Therefore, a basketball player has to go out and find these pickup games on her own.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Check the local high schools and junior highs. Often these schools have outdoor courts where people congregate for pickup basketball games. Most of these courts are asphalt and can result in some serious knee scrapes among other injuries.
2. Call any gyms, churches, and YMCAs in the area. Some gyms and YMCAs have basketball courts within their facilities, but many charge a fee for entrance or membership.
3. Visit courts at the appropriate time. Most pickup games occur on evenings and on the weekends. If you show up during the afternoon of a weekday, there probably won't be anyone to play with.
4. Join an online pickup basketball resource site. There are websites that list the places for pickup basketball games or allow users to organize their own if they can't find one. See the resources section for more information.
5. Ask the local YMCA or police department if it sponsors midnight basketball and you're young enough to qualify. These games are designed to keep teens off the street and there is an age limit, although some programs include young adults.