The Following Is an excerpt from The All Around Basketball Book
Quick note: If you play indoors and outdoors, use two different pairs on sneakers. You’re playing on two different surfaces. Outside, your sneakers will get messed up at the bottom. Which will cause you to lose traction inside the gym. Basketball sneakers age better indoors. If you are not able to at the moment, Use this as an opportunity to adapt and play smarter basketball.
Look at the bottom of your sneakers when you first get them, the whole design is there. After a while of playing outside the sneakers get smudged and some parts of your sneakers look like blank spots.
First, you need a nickname. You need a nickname that has a nice ring to it. So for example, if your last name begins with S, then you can have a nickname that begins with S. Maybe like Shooter, Silk, Smooth, Swift, etc. Or you can show up and earn a nickname through your style of play.
Pick up games don’t start with the traditional jump ball. A player shoots A three-pointer for possession. Sometimes two players go back and forth until someone makes it, or they do what’s called “do or die”. In do or die, one person shoots. If they make the shot then their team keeps possession, if it’s a miss then the other team gets the ball.
Full court pick up is usually like a normal game. If it’s half court, then this is what happens. If the opposite team shoots and misses but the ball hits the rim, you have to clear the ball to the three-point line. If it doesn’t hit the rim, you can shoot right away off the rebound.
If there’s a dispute during the game, it gets settled by one shot. If you miss, then you lose possession. If you make it, your team’s possession.
If you decide to play a full court game, make sure it’s no less than 4 on 4. If you play a half-court game, make sure it’s no more than 3 on 3. It has to do with spacing. A 5 on 5 half court game can get chaotic, and even claustrophobic. A 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 full court game will get you tired really fast unless you have crazy stamina and endurance.
Expect physicality! Some pick up basketball games are maybe filled with players who are just looking to get exercise, not all players are necessarily skilled in all aspects of basketball. If a pickup game is filled with all basketball players, there’s a chance of some trash talk and competitiveness. If you play with your friends, they’ll probably want bragging rights over you, so go for the win.
The amount of points you score has no indication on your overall skill level, only your scoring ability. There are other ways to impact the game. You can impact the game by your rebounding, defense, and passing. Not everybody can score. Players will lack in a skill that you can make up for, that’s what makes a good team. Dennis Rodman took over by rebounding and playing defense.
There’s going to be a player who has a really big ego. They will be the one that plays very serious in a game of fun. They’ll get in your face and make you play to their level so that your team can win. This is not only in pickup basketball. It happens in organized basketball and also in all team settings like a job. They are like bosses and they tend to abuse the power they think they have.
There may be players with more swagger or a team with a championship aura, but you’re all on the same court. Everybody still has to play. Who’s going to be hungrier? The champion or The underdog?
Fouls don’t really get called that much. If there’s a player who is calling nonsense fouls every play, they are either trying to get in your team’s head or they’re delusional. Either way, keep your cool.
At the store, there are usually two types of basketballs you can get. Indoor and Outdoor. It usually has to do with the material. For your basketball to age gracefully, use them in the right environment (just like your sneakers).
If you’re the youngest player playing, cherish that. You get better by playing with older and more experienced players.
Summers are really the best. The summer is truly the best time to improve as a player. Sure you can practice every day during the school year, but in the summer you just have more time. Plus you don’t have the fatigue of school weighing you down. You can wake up whenever you want, and play for as long as you want. Unless you have a summer job or take summer classes. You see what you’re truly made of and how much you love the game. How much of the free time that you have are you going to spend getting better as a player?
Expect the tricks, this is where the ankle breakers happen. Pickup basketball is where you can show off the moves you’ve been practicing by yourself.
Have fun! This is the purest form of basketball there is. Every issue within a game is handled internally and in a fair fashion. No coaches or referees will be there. It will be handled amongst yourselves.
If you don’t get picked that’s ok! Practice more and work on your game. You’ll get your opportunity, but only if you practice.
If you are there as a spectator, bring a chair and some popcorn. Outdoor pickup games usually draw more crowds because they are outside. Indoor pickup games are usually more private, If you want to see some free entertainment, go to your local park.
As much as I advocate for pickup basketball, It’s only for you if you want to have fun. If you want to learn something then you must play organized basketball. It will teach you structure, discipline, teamwork, etc. Pick up basketball is for fun only. You tend to levitate toward pick up basketball when you get tired of all the rules and other factors in organized basketball. But there is good in organized basketball. Organized basketball/sports in general shape you as a person. It’s the beginner’s guide. Follow that then forge your own path.
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