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Knockout, Gotcha, Lightning: What do you call this basketball game?
On Thursday, some Kansas football players wheeled a basketball hoop onto the field and played a classic playground game. You're probably familiar with these rules:
Everyone lines up single-file, the two people at the front of the line each get one basketball, and those two try to make a jump shot (or a subsequent layup) before the person with the other basketball does so. If you make your shot fast enough, you hand your ball to the person in front of the line and go to the back. If you can't make a shot before the person behind you makes one, you are out, and eventually everyone but a single winner is eliminated.
I have always called this game "Knockout." I have never even considered that it could have another name. But as soon as the topic came up among my SB Nation friends, two of us from Michigan expressed that they'd never heard the game called anything but "Lightning." I was so surprised and excited I threw up.![]()
We've demonstrated before that regional differences appear in playground basketball terminology, so I looked up some other (apparently) common names for this game and did a little survey.
Basically: What do you call this game, and where did you learn to call it that? Here's the data -- "other" answers excluded -- from around 770 respondents, color-coded and mapped around the world. It's not scientific, but I think we're onto something!
View A game by many names! in a full screen map
And here's data by volume only:
Here's what jumps out:
- "Knockout" is most popular. It especially dominates the East Coast of the United States and most of our abroad responses. HOWEVER!
- As the SB Nation revelation predicted, there are some strong regional exceptions, the first of which is a hotbed of "Lightning" centered around the Midwest -- Michigan in particular.
Look at all that yellow atop a sea of red: A large, almost perfectly demarcated region of people all calling the game "Lightning.
" Who knew!? There's also a pocket of "Lightning" people in Utah!
- The Pacific Northwest and Canada seem to be the biggest fans of "Bumpout" and "Bump." I also had one Oregon person tell me people around there call the game "Crunch."
- Southerners don't use "Gotcha" exclusively, but they were the only ones to use it.
- Got someone from Pennsylvania who called it "Crash."
- One person in Santa Rosa, Calif. called it "Thunder." One from North Hollywood, Calif. called it "Snake." "Speed" in St. George, Utah.
- I wish more people from England responded, because we got one "Killer" and one "2-Ball Killer" from there. That might be a thing!
- Southern California and Arizona are basically the U.N. of naming this game.
The upshot is this: The game goes by more than one name. If you call it "Knockout," you are in the majority, but not unanimously. If you call the game something else, it might be because of where you learned it! Sports!
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11 Fun Basketball Games for Kids Besides H-O-R-S-E
- By Brian Kendall and Angela Bekkala Updated On November 15, 2022
Basketball doesn't have to be a sweaty, competitive game of five-on-five.
Maybe there are only three children playing, or the game is being dominated by more athletic children, leaving others without the opportunity to play. Either way, there are numerous games played with a ball and basket that youngsters of all skill levels will enjoy.
Here are plenty of H-O-R-S-E alternatives kids can play with just a basketball and a hoop.
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This game does require a low level of shooting ability but remains an ideal game for kids with varying skills because everyone gets a chance to shoot.
Knock out requires two basketballs and two or more players. The players form a line at the free throw line with the first two receiving basketballs. The first player shoots and if he or she misses, the second player can "knock out" the first player by making the basket before the first player is able to corral the rebound and put his or her ball in the basket. If the first player is able to make the shot before the second player, they pass it to the next player in line, who then tries to knock out the second player while the first player returns to the end of the line.
The game goes on until all but one player is knocked out.
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There are many variations of this game, but this one requires at least two players and one basketball. The object of the game is to "go around the world" by making consecutive shots from predetermined spots around the court. The first player must make a layup, followed by a shot between the basket and the free throw line, a free throw, a 20-foot shot from the wing, a three-point shot and a shot from half court. Once this is accomplished, the player must make every shot again on his or her return to the basket. The game ends with a layup.
Normally, the player must make all predetermined shots in a row or start over. But to make the game quicker, allow the player to remain in the spot where he or she missed while the other players take their turns. The player can start again at this point on the next turn.
Note: There are other variations, with the most common being shots ordered around the three-point line.
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This is a variation of Around the World, but instead of taking turns, all players shoot at the same time until each player has made a basket from each predetermined spot on the court.
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A perfect merger of that age-old Scottish game and James Naismith's wonderful invention, the object of "golf" is similar to that of links, but on the hardwood. The lowest score wins, and strokes (or shots, in this case) are tallied with every shot it takes for the player to make it in the basket.
As a game for kids, golf teaches young players to shoot from spots all around the court. The game requires two or more players and one basketball. The first player beings on the first hole, a predetermined spot where he or she must shoot. If the player makes the shot on the first attempt, the score for that "hole" is one. If the player misses that shot, they must shoot from where they grabbed the rebound.
The score for that hole is the number of shots it took the player to make the basket. Just like a golf course, you can do this from 18 different spots on the court. The lowest score wins.
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Like musical chairs but with basketballs, this game requires one ball per player and a source of music. Put the balls in a circle and have the kids walk around the balls while music plays. Once the music stops, the players grab a basketball and shoot. When a player makes a basket, they sits down to show that they are finished. The last player standing is out.
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This is a common game with variations played in almost every beginner youth sport.
Select one or two players to be "sharks." The sharks will start at the half court line facing the baseline. The rest of the players will be the "minnows" and will line up along the baseline facing the sharks. The sharks will not have basketballs, and the minnows will each have one ball.
For the minnows, the object of the game is to dribble from baseline to baseline without their ball being stolen or knocked out of bounds by a shark. For the sharks, the object of the game is to eliminate as many minnows as possible within each round by stealing or deflecting their ball out of bounds. If a minnow loses their ball, they will become a shark in the next round. The round stops when each minnow has successfully made it across to the other baseline or has been turned into a shark. The last minnow remaining is deemed the winner, and the game stops when all minnows have been eliminated. The last one or two minnows remaining will serve as sharks for the beginning of the next game.
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To play this baseball-inspired game, first divide the group into two even teams: a dribbling team and a shooting team. The dribbling team will have a basketball and will line up at one of the corners of the baseline. The shooting team will have one or two basketballs and be lined up at the free throw line or closer depending on the age and skill level of the players.
The dribblers' object is to make a "home run" by dribbling the basketball around half court and back to the line. The shooters' object is to make the shot to get the dribblers out. If a shot is made, the shooters call out "stop," and the current dribbler freezes and the next dribbler may begin. If the dribbler makes it home, they get one point and return to the back of the line to run again. Continue until every dribbler is out and then switch team roles. The team with the most runs wins.
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To play this game, all the players must spread out on a line on the court (baseline, sideline, three-point line, etc.). One or two players will be the designated taggers. Players who are not taggers will each have a basketball.
Each player has to remain on a line at all times throughout the game as the taggers attempt to tag the other players who are not "it." Those who are not "it" will try to avoid being tagged by the taggers while remaining on the lines and dribbling the ball.
If a player who is not "it" gets touched by a tagger, steps off of a line or losses control of their ball, they are "out" until the next game. The last person who has not yet been tagged is the winner and the game restarts with the last one or two players to be tagged starting as the taggers.
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How low can you go while dribbling a basketball?
For this game, two players hold a long stick or pole while the rest of the players form a single file line behind them. Players take turns dribbling under the limbo pole, holding their bodies lower and lower every time. The pole should start out at shoulder height and move down with each round, after every player has had a chance to go through. If a player can't control the ball and make it under the pole, they're out of the game. The player who is able to go the lowest wins.
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Divide your group into two or more even teams. Line up the players at a point just beyond their shooting comfort zone.
This could be at the three-point line or half court. Set the clock for 10 seconds, and see how many baskets each player can make before the next player moves into position for their 10 seconds on the clock. The player with the most baskets wins.
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Divide your group into two or more teams and have each group form a single file line behind the baseline. Each team will have one ball, and the first player in line will dribble as fast as they can, while controlling the ball, to the opposite baseline or half-court line and back. They will then hand the ball off to the next player in line on their team who will in turn run their leg of the race. The first team to complete the race and get back to the baseline wins.
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Rules of Basketball
How the rules have changed in your favorite game
How the rules have changed in your favorite game
WE ALL LOVE TO PLAY BASKETBALL, BUT DO YOU KNOW THE RULES EXACTLY?
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891.
Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls…
!!! Read about the evolution of balls in the article:
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls…
!!! Read about the evolution of balls in the article:
The history of basketballs
The history of basketballs
What balls are played now and how it happened
The beginning
The rules have also changed a lot during this time. Initially, there were only 13 of them in basketball:
- The ball can be thrown in any direction with one or two hands.
- The ball may be hit with one or both hands in any direction, but never with the fist.
- The player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw the ball from the point at which he caught it, except for a player running at high speed.
- The ball must be held with the hands. You can not use the forearms and body to hold the ball.
- In any case, hitting, grabbing, holding and pushing the opponent is not allowed. The first violation of this rule by any player shall be called a foul; the second foul disqualifies him until the next ball is scored, and if there was an obvious intention to injure the player, then a disqualification for the whole game. It is not allowed to replace a disqualified player.
- Punching the ball is a violation of points 2 and 4, the penalty is described in point 5.
- commit no foul).
- A point is scored if a ball thrown or bouncing off the floor hits the basket and stays there. Defending players are not allowed to touch the ball or basket while shooting. If the ball touches the edge and the opponents move the basket, then a point is scored.
- If the ball goes out of bounds, it must be dropped into the field by the first player to touch it. In the event of a dispute, the referee must throw the ball into the field. The thrower is allowed to hold the ball for five seconds.
If he holds it longer, then the ball is given to the opponent. If either side tries to play for time, the referee must give them a foul.
- The referee must monitor the actions of the players and fouls, and notify the referee of three consecutive fouls. He shall have the power to disqualify players under rule 5.
- The referee must watch the ball and determine when the ball is in play (inbounds) and when it goes out of bounds (out of bounds), which side should be in possession of the ball, and any other action that the referee would normally take .
- The game consists of two halves of 15 minutes each with a break of 5 minutes between them.
- The side with the most goals during this time period is the winner.
The most important rule change in the history of basketball is the introduction of dribbling. In the original version of the game, this was prohibited by paragraph 3 of the rules.
One of the first changes in the game and the rules was the replacement of the basket with a ring with a net.
It seemed to be very inconvenient to climb after the ball every time after a hit. Around the same time, free throws, dribbling appeared, and the composition of the teams was fixed for 5 players on the court at the same time. Before that, in some matches, up to 50 people could be on the court at the same time. All this happened back in 1896-1897.
The emergence of FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
Basketball in the early 20th century became more popular and the rules in each country could be different. This was one of the reasons why FIBA appeared in 1932 year. At the first FIBA Congress, the teams were approved (5 people and 2 substitutes), and it was decided that after each goal there would be a throw-in in the center. This rule was removed after 4 years to reduce the advantage of tall players.
Over the next few years, the main changes were related to the number of personal fouls, the number of players on the bench and the introduction of a time limit for getting the ball into the opponent's half of the court.
More changes came in 1952 after the Olympic Games. The game became very boring, because the teams held the ball, having received a minimal lead in the score. Everyone understood this and searched for solutions for several years in order to save the life of basketball. At 1954 Danny Biason proposed to the NBA to limit the time for the shot to 24 seconds. At the 1956 Olympics, there was a similar rule: it was necessary to make a throw in 30 seconds. At the same time, to add equality between defense and attack, another rule familiar to us appeared: you need to start dribbling the ball before the supporting leg comes off.
Then the game became similar to the modern one from a technical point of view: dribbling, shots, a three-second zone appeared. In 1979, the NBA added a three-point line, and in 19In 1984, FIBA also added an arc.
!!! An article about the evolution of the three-point shot and interesting facts:
10 interesting facts about the three-point shot.
10 interesting facts about the three-point shot.
Three-pointer evolution and insane records.
Changes in the rules and basketball since 1956 have included the number of free kicks, the situations in which these free kicks are given, and individual and team penalties. Some rules were introduced, and a few years later they were canceled. For example, the "3 for 2" rule: if a player was fouled in the shooting phase, then if one of the first two shots was missed, he could make another free throw. This rule was later removed.
Since the 1990s there have been constant changes: the emergence of alley-oops, changes in the timing and rewriting of the rules of running, which continue to this day.
From the most interesting: if the team has 0.3 seconds or less to throw the ball from behind, then it must be a one-touch throw. It takes at least 0.4 seconds to perform a full throw.
Derrick Fisher made similar throws:
And here is a small selection of videos of how they throw in 0.
2 seconds:
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Coach: Yuriy Bespalov
- Professional player of the INANOMO 3x3 team;
- Champion of Russia 3x3 2019, 2021;
- Winner and medalist of the MOFB championship;
- MLBL Summer League MVP 2017;
- Multiple participant of Moscow Open;
- Champion of Moscow 3x3 2017;
- MVP GrunisCup 2017.
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Basketball
This is a material about the basic rules of playing basketball. We also have a text about the risks of injury in sports.
Basketball is a team game with a ball. The goal of each team is to attack the opponent's ring and score the most points during the match. We tell you how not to break the rules in a tough fight for the ball and become a winner.
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Each basketball team consists of 12 players who substitute for each other during the match.
At the same time, five people from each team are on the site.
According to the rules of basketball, the whole team must have the same uniform and even socks of the same color. Jerseys of team members must be numbered.
For safety, remove jewelry and any accessories that could injure other players.
The game consists of four periods of 10 minutes. Breaks between the first and second quarters, as well as between the third and fourth, are 2 minutes. The longest break is 15 minutes, it is taken in the middle of the game, after the second quarter. At this moment, the teams change rings.
If the score is tied by the end of the match, the referee adds 5 minutes of overtime. Overtime is appointed as many times as necessary until the winner is revealed.
A team coach may take a time-out during a game. This break lasts for a minute. Most often, a time-out is taken to adjust tactics.
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Basketball court measures 28 meters long and 15 meters wide.
Each site should have markings. It is applied around the perimeter and zones are designated:
- center circle
- free throw line
- three-point area
- face-off lines
- restricted area
- semi-circle without fouls and collisions
Mandatory ring element4 It is hung at a height of 3.05 m.
In basketball, the ball is played only with the hands, it can be hit on the floor, passed, thrown and hit. You can’t run without a lead or kick the ball with him.
With the ball in hand, you can take two steps, but only to stop, pass or shoot into the ring.
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- 1 point - counts behind the penalty throw
- 2 points - for a ball abandoned from the zone of biases
- 3 points - for a ball abandoned from the three -point hits
violations in the basketball, let's take it a race basic.
A run is the movement of a player with the ball in his hands without dribbling. For this, the referee appoints a throw-in by the opposing team.
Three Second Rule - An attacking team player may not be in the designated area under the hoop for more than three seconds.
For such a violation, the ball is transferred to the opponent.
Foul is a touch on the opponent that limits his freedom of movement. In some cases, a free throw is awarded for a foul - this is decided by the referee. A throw from the penalty line is performed by a member of the opposing team, for a professional this is an almost guaranteed hit.
You can also get a foul without contact - technical. It is given for unsportsmanlike behavior, disrespect for the referee or other participants in the game. Two technical fouls are followed by disqualification.
Teams of referees serve basketball matches. Usually 2-3 referees on the site and a secretary judge. Their task is to monitor compliance with the rules, keep track of time and impose a fine in case of violations.
Entering data into the protocol, resolving disputed game moments and keeping the score of the game - these duties are also performed by the referees.
