If you don't have two complete teams available for a full-blown, full-court game, there are still ways to have some fun with basketball while improving your actual shooting and game skills. In Around the World, players determine specific spots on the court from which to take standing shots. Typically these are positions in a semicircle in front of the goal -- i.e., the first shot is from the sideline, directly to the side of the goal (figure A), the second one halfway to the top of the key, the third from the top of the key and so on. Players are required to make a shot from each location. Each time a player makes a shot, he can move to the next position and try the next shot. If the player misses a shot, he turns the ball over to the opponent. The first player to make a shot from each location wins. The idea behind this game, from a practice standpoint, is that it allows players to practice shots from a variety of locations on the court. In HORSE, players alternate calling a specific shot -- such as a free throw, a shot from the top of the key, a jump shot or a dunk (figure B) -- and then attempting that shot. If the first player makes the specified shot, the opponent must then attempt to make the same shot. If the second player makes the shot, then it's his turn to call and attempt a shot of his own choosing. If the second player misses the original shot, then that player gets receives a letter-score of "H". The player who first accumulates all of the letters in the word "h-o-r-s-e" is the loser. This game allows players to use creativity and ingenuity in practicing a variety of shooting techniques. Finally, any even number of players can play a pickup game of basketball . Two players can play one-on-one, with one player attempting to score while the other defends the goal (figure C). Each time a player scores, possession of the ball changes. The same strategy can be used to play two-on-two, and so on up to a full-fledged game. Pickup basketball is one of the best ways to work on all of your basketball skills.
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