Creative Basketball Games for Children

The Activities

The following games and/or activities are in an order to where the YOUNGER will enjoy the FIRST FEW and the OLDER will enjoy the LAST FEW.

1.) Simon Says

For children who are just now learning how to play basketball, this game can be a simple way to continually practice the basic moves of basketball. Line the children up to where they can all see you then explain to them that they are to do what "Simon says." If they are to do something that Simon doesn't say, then they are out. The winner can either get a prize or younger children enjoy just the fact of other people looking at them with you holding their arm up in the air. Some examples that you could use during this game is: Simon says to, "Dribble with you right hand," "Dribble with your left hand," Dribble with both hands," "Jump up and down and dribble," "Put the ball down and get into the defense position." Other creative fun commands should make the children enjoy the game.

2.) Follow the Leader

This adds both dribbling and movement. It is fun to add in silly things like zig zags and making circles. WARNING: Sometimes children will lose control of the ball and it will go rolling away from them and chaos will soon come thereafter. Thus, you may only be able to play for a short while. Finishing the game with shooting the ball can end up with a herd of children underneath the basketball goal. Good luck!

3.) Agility Course

It is simple! Set up a course for the children to dribble through using whatever you can find. Some examples are: putting cones in a line for them to zig zag through, having something small for them to jump over, or maybe you could guard them for a little part to give them some competition. Get creative and use whatever you can!

4.) Sharks and Minos

In this game, have one player stand in the middle of the court while the rest have basketballs at the sidelines underneath the basket. Explain that the kids with the basketballs are to dribble to the other side of the court without the person in the middle stealing their ball. The person in the middle is to try and get as many kids out as possible. Count down and when the game starts, the person in the middle can run after as many kids as possible. Keep replaying until there is a winner or if there isn't just one child left, the kid in the middle wins!

5.) Keep the Dribble

Before you play the game set goal depending on the size of the crowd you have. Usually half court is enough for the start. Them goal of the game is to be the last person dribbling. Instruct everyone to begin dribbling and if they double dribble, loose control of the ball, or go out of bounds, they are out. This game is good for dribbling without looking at the ball, ball control, and the arm bar technique. As children get out, it would be a good idea to change the boundaries so they get out faster.

6.) Knock Out

Line the children up at the basket and only give the first two players in line the ball. The distance from the basket the children should line up at varies on their skill level. A vast majority will be able to shoot from the free throw line. Younger children can be moved closer and older children could try it from the top of the three point line. The rules are simple. If the person behind you makes the ball in the basket before you, you're out. You can not shoot before the person in front of you and you may not touch another player's ball.

7.) Scrimmage

Just the basic 5 on 5 game! Everyone enjoys some competition here and there! Make sure you evenly distribute the skill level on each team! It would be good to keep the game fair and call fouls!

Remember:

These games change depending on the age of the children playing them.

Always be at an even level of authority and fun. Enforce the rules so that everyone can have fun.

Between games or at any break DRINK WATER! For real.

Smile and have fun yourself! If the kids see you having fun and enjoying yourself, they will also enjoy the games.

Have fun and stay safe!

Luke Burgdorf

Which did your children enjoy the most?

•  Simon Says
•  Follow the Leader
•  Agility Course
•  Sharks and Minos
•  Keep the Dribble
•  Knock Out
•  Scrimmage

Fun Basketball Games

Fun Basketball Games Can Build Skill

Most people who coach basketball will never show up on television coaching the Lakers or the Celtics. They will not even get to the highest reaches of college basketball and coach in a Final Four. Most coaches can be found just trying to help kids develop their skills in rec leagues and middle schools across the country. Many of these volunteer for their jobs.

It can easily be argued that these coaches are often the most important in the development of future stars. It is these people who serve with little fanfare while teaching youngsters the basics of the game that will benefit them greatly in the future. One of the best ways to build skill is through fun games that work on fundamentals. Below are some ideas that can put some fun into basketball practices while simultaneously working on basic fundamental basketball skills.

P-I-G or H-O-R-S-E

P-I-G or H-O-R-S-E is one of the more common basketball games that people enjoy. The goal of the game is to win while making shots from various parts of the floor. This game can be enjoyed by any number of people.

The first step in playing P-I-G is getting a shooting order. This order remains the same throughout the game. The first person throws up a shot from any spot on the floor. If he or she makes the shot, the next person in the line has to make the exact same shot. If the second shooter misses the shot, they get a P if playing Pig or an H if playing Horse.

The first person to follow a miss can shoot anywhere he or she chooses and the game continues as described above. When a player has enough misses to spell Pig or Horse, he is then out of the game. The game continues until only one person is left. Pig can build shooting skills and force those playing to work on shots that they would not otherwise shoot. Some of the shots are unlikely in a game situation, but with a clock running out, just about anything is possible.

Lightning/Knockout (Shooting Game)

The game of Lightning is also known as Knockout (which should not be confused with the game of Knockout described below). The game starts with all of the players lined up single file starting at the free throw line. The first person shoots a foul shot. If this first shot is made, the shooter then goes to the back of the line and the second person shoots. If the first shooter misses, the second person shoots a free throw while the initial player tries to get a rebound and make a shot before the second person makes a shot. If the second shooter makes the shot before the first person, the first person is out of the game and the second shooter goes to the back of the line.

As soon as one person makes a shot after the initial scenario above, the next person in line then attempts to knock the remaining shooter out of the game. The game continues in this manner until only one person is left. Watch the game in action to get a better idea of how it works in practice.

Around the World The Layout of a Basketball Court

Another shooting drill game that can improve shooting skills is called around the world. This drill simply involves a player shooting around the key at a series of predetermined spots. The block, the mid-point between the block and the elbow, and the elbow on both sides of the lane are the most common spots. Players would need to make six shots to finish their turn through the game and would have to make a shot from one spot before moving to the next.

To bring some competition into the process, players can work on this game on each end of the court while racing against each other. A video demonstration of Around the World can show how the game works in practice.

Knockout (Dribbling Game)

All of the previous games mentioned dealt with the process of shooting the basketball. The game of Knockout that includes dribbling (not to be confused with the shooting game frequently called by the same name) works on both ball-handling and defensive skills.

The game is set up within certain parameters on the court, such as the lane or the half-court circle (depending upon the number of players). The coach signals when the game is to begin. Each player must have a ball and begin dribbling when the coach gives the signal. The goal for each player is to protect her own dribble while trying to knock the ball of her opponents out of the lane or the circle. Players who dribble out of the parameters of the game are out, as well. This game builds the ability to dribble under duress, court awareness, and the ability to steal the ball at the same time. Its competitive nature is also fun for those who play.

Some drills can be boring and monotonous. The games noted above can be quite a bit of fun for young players. They can also build important fundamental skills, which shows that learning fundamentals and having fun are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

NBA Flagrant Foul Mix (VIDEO)

The NBA Flagrant Foul Mix 
 

The most memorable cheap shots and dirty fouls in NBA history.

We all love, highlight reels of breathtaking dunks, saucy crossovers and vicious blocks. But what about a collection of the greatest flagrant fouls and cheap shots ever? Those are, when done correctly, equally as great. Above is a four-minute video compilation of the best flagrants, dirty fouls and punches in NBA history. Enjoy!

NBA News: Mark Jackson Says Reggie Miller is Third Greatest SG

The NBA has seen great players come and go and every year the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame honors a select few NBA players to be enshrined alongside other legends. Every draft class has its marquee names and for 2012, sharp-shooter Reggie Miller is one of those players that everyone knows. Miller will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this week and a life-long journey will finally come to an end.

Once players like Miller get the ultimate individual honor of being named a Hall of Fame player, their place among the league’s greats is always put to question. Miller was an elite player during his day, but there have been other superstar shooting guards in the NBA. However, Mark Jackson, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, told the Indianapolis Star that he believes Miller is the third greatest shooting guard the NBA has ever seen.

“When you take Michael Jordan and you take Kobe Bryant out of the discussion, he’s as good as any two-guard that has ever played the game,” Jackson said.

There is very little debate as to whether or not Kobe and Jordan are the two best shooting guards in league history. At this point, Jordan is usually put ahead of Kobe, but once it’s all said and done Bryant could claim the top spot. However, not many people have Miller at the number three spot.

When comparing players’ career, perhaps the most important number is championship rings. Kobe and Jordan have won a handful of championships, but Miller does not own a single one. So although Miller can be considered the greatest shooter in league history, having him as the third greatest shooting guard could be a stretch.

NBA Lakers Rumors 2012: With Dwight Howard in LA, Rookie's Future in Question

The NBA Lakers rumors of 2012 have been nonstop, as fans, analysts, bloggers, and everyone in the pro basketball world seems to be focused on the additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash to an already talented team. Now there's some questions surrounding the team's latest NBA draft picks they have yet to sign. Will these guys end up with a roster spot, or be cut from a potential 2012-13 championship squad?

According to Lakers Nation, among the players in jeopardy of not getting a spot on the final roster are Darius Johnson-Odom, Robert Sacre, and Andrew Goudelock. Neither of the first two guys, both of whom were rookie draft picks, have been signed as of this report. It's also being said that the previous year's picks, Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock could be in jeopardy. Goudelock in particular had flashes of brilliance at the point guard spot, but only averaged 4.4 points a game, 0.5 assists and 10.5 minutes per contest. If he manages to stay with the team, he would certainly benefit from having a veteran, superstar point guard like Steve Nash to learn from.

The same goes for Johnson-Odom, who was brilliant for Marquette last year, but finds himself in danger of not getting signed by the team after they drafted him. He's a talented guard who would only grow by playing with stars like Kobe and Nash. The Lakers need to consider these things as they build for the future. They may very well decide they have plenty of guards already on the roster and keep Johnson-Odom based on his upside compared to Goudelock's.

With that in mind, Robert Sacre is a 7-foot center out of Gonzaga. The fact he could be against Dwight Howard during scrimmages, or gaining insights from the best center in the league is another added bonus. That's not to say Sacre would become as good as Howard, but the Lakers certainly wouldn't mind having a solid backup or two for their prized big man.

Which of these players do you think will be on the Lakers' final roster for the 2012-13 season: Darius Johnson-Odom, Andrew Goudelock, or Robert Sacre?