“Pick-up games” are unofficial basketball games with no referees and no official teams. In the US, pick-up games are quite common. People show up at a court, divide into teams and then play. If 10 people show up, they play 5-against-5 pick-up. Here in Dayton, we usually play these pick-up games when there are fewer than 8 people:
A couple of notes about these games:
The system with no referees works surprisingly well. I’ve played pick-up basketball for many, many years, and only seen a two fights (which were more like two fat guys rolling on the ground) at a university campus. Even on “rough” courts, the worst that happens is a shouting match.
So, what basketball variants do you play in your city? The same ones here? Different ones?
--Matt
- 3-against-3 (aka 3-on-3) – When there are 6 people, perhaps waiting for four more people to arrive, 3-on-3 ball is played. 3-on-3 is played in the half court. The rules are the same as traditional basketball, except that after Team A shoots and misses, if Team B gets the rebound, they must get the ball back behind the three-point line before they can score. (In some variations, if Team A shoots and does not touch the rim with the ball, Team B can immediately shoot). 3-on-3 is usually played to a set score, perhaps 12 or 21. It can also be played as 1-on-1, 2-on-2, or 4-on-4.
- 21 (aka Cut Throat) – Any number of people can play 21. It is usually played while waiting for more people to come to the court. In 21, each player is his/her own team, so there could potentially be 5 or 6 separate “teams” (players) in one game. All players keep track of their own points. After a player makes a basket (earning 2 or 3 points), he/she can choose to make a “charity” free throw (worth 1 point) or a “charity” 3-point shot (worth 2 points). If he/she makes the “charity” points, they may take another “charity” shot. A player must score exactly 21 points. If he/she scores 22 points, their score automatically goes down to 13 or 15. There are no fouls in 21.
- Chicago – Chicago is played as a one-on-one version of 21 when there are 3 or more players. Players rotate on and off the court after their opponent makes a basket. For example, if Player A scores, Player B must leave the court, and Player C comes on the court. Then, if Player C scores, Player A must leave the court, and Player B returns to the court.
- Horse – Horse is played by any number of players. The game is started by Player A taking an undefended shot anywhere on the court from his/her choosing. If he/she makes the shot, Player B must make the shot from the same position. If player B misses that shot, he/she is given an “H” as a negative point and Player A may shoot anywhere he/she wants. If Player A makes the shot, Player B must again make the shot from the same position. If Player B misses again, he/she receives an “O” as a negative point. However, if Player A misses his/her shot, Player B may chose to make a shot from any position on the court (like what Player A did). Then, if Player B makes his/her basket, Player A must repeat the shot under the penalty of getting an “H” as a negative. The first player to spell the word “horse” is the loser.
A couple of notes about these games:
- In all of these basketball variants (except Horse), players will “check” the ball to start play after each possession by bouncing the ball to the defender, who then bounces it back. Usually, checking is done at the top of the three-point line.
- Players always call fouls, because there is not referee. There are rarely offensive fouls. If a defender commits a foul, he/she is expecting to simply say “foul,” and the teams re-check the ball.
- When playing as teams, nobody coordinates the jerseys. Players simply must remember the player(s) on his/her team.
The system with no referees works surprisingly well. I’ve played pick-up basketball for many, many years, and only seen a two fights (which were more like two fat guys rolling on the ground) at a university campus. Even on “rough” courts, the worst that happens is a shouting match.
So, what basketball variants do you play in your city? The same ones here? Different ones?
--Matt
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