Streetball facts for kids

Streetball, also known as street basketball, is a fun and less formal way to play basketball. It's usually played outdoors on courts, and it doesn't have as many strict rules as professional basketball. This makes it a great way for players to show off their amazing individual skills! Streetball is super popular, especially in places like New York City.

Streetball players at the Venice Beach basketball courts in California, USA.

Many cities in the United States have special streetball programs. There are also big weekend tournaments, like Hoop-It-Up and the Houston Rockets' Blacktop Battle. Streetball has become more famous since the mid-2000s, with TV shows like ESPN's Street Basketball and City Slam. There are also traveling shows like the AND1 Mixtape Tour, where famous streetballers show off their moves.

Streetball is also very popular in other countries, like the Philippines. Many streets there have their own basketball courts! Tournaments are often held, especially during summer and holidays. Players are usually divided into age groups: Mosquito (7-13), Midget (14-17), Junior (18-25), and Senior (26 and up).

How Streetball Is Played

Children playing streetball in Paris.

The rules in streetball can change a lot from one court to another. Players usually pick teams by taking turns choosing who they want on their side.

There are no referees in streetball. This means players have to "call their own fouls." If a player thinks they've been fouled, they just shout "Foul!" and the game stops. The ball then goes to the fouled player's team. Free throws are usually not given in streetball. It's also common to think of a player's hands as part of the ball when they are holding it.

Calling fouls too often is generally not liked. What counts as a real foul, and how much you can argue about it, depends on the group of players and how serious the game is.

Other rules that are usually followed include:

• Traveling: Taking too many steps while holding the ball.
• Double-dribble: Dribbling the ball with both hands or dribbling, stopping, and then dribbling again.
• Carrying: Holding the ball too long while dribbling.
• Kicking: Kicking the ball on purpose.
• Out of bounds: The ball going outside the playing area.
• Goaltending: Blocking a shot after it has started to go down towards the basket.
• Backcourt violation: Bringing the ball back into your own half after crossing the middle line.

Playing on Half a Court

Most streetball games are played with three players on each team (3-on-3) on only half of a basketball court. Special rules are used for these games:

• Starting Play: At the start of the game and after a team scores, play begins at the top of the key (the area near the free-throw line). Players use a "checking" system to make sure everyone is ready. The offensive player says "check" and throws the ball to a defender. The defender then throws it back to start the game.
• Out of Bounds: If the ball goes out of bounds, it can be checked back into play from where it went out, or from the top of the key. This depends on the rules decided before the game.
• Shot Clock: Sometimes, a "shot clock" rule is used to make sure teams shoot within a certain time. This keeps the game moving.
• Clearing the Ball: If the defending team gets the ball, they must move it past the three-point line before they can try to score. They don't need to check the ball again for this.
• Winner's Ball: In some half-court games, a "winner's ball" or "make it, take it" rule is used. This means if a team scores, they get the ball back to play offense again. This can lead to one team getting to shoot a lot if they keep scoring!

How Games Are Organized

A common way to play streetball is called a pick-up game. To join, you just go to an outdoor court where people are playing and say you want to play. Two players, called "captains," will then choose teams from everyone who wants to play. They usually take turns picking players.

Many games are played until one team reaches 7, 11, 13, 15, or 21 points. The scoring system can vary:

• 1's only: Each basket counts as 1 point.
• 2's only: Each basket counts as 2 points.
• 1's and 2's: Baskets inside the three-point line count as 1 point, and baskets outside count as 2 points.
• 2's and 3's: Baskets inside the three-point line count as 2 points, and baskets outside count as 3 points.

Players often need to "win by 1" or "win by 2" points, similar to tennis, to finish the game. The most common streetball game is 3-on-3 on a half court, but 4-on-4 or 5-on-5 can be played on a full court. The winning team usually gets the ball first in the next game and chooses which basket they want to use.

Sometimes, a streetball game might even have an MC (Master of Ceremonies) who calls out the plays and talks about the game for the fans. The MC stays close to the players but tries not to get in the way.

One-on-One Play

Special rules are used for one-on-one games:

• Second Chance: If a player loses a one-on-one match, they might get a second chance to shoot from the three-point line. If they make it, the game can continue or even end in a tie if the score is very close.
• No Bank Shot Rule: In a close one-on-one game, the winning shot cannot be a bank shot (where the ball bounces off the backboard before going in). If it happens, the play is repeated.
• Skunk Rule: This rule means the game ends if one player reaches a certain score without the other player scoring any points. For example, if the score is 7 to 0, the game is over.
• Dead End Limit: A game might be played to 7 points, but you need to win by 2, with a maximum "dead end" of 9 points. This means scores like 7–3, 8–6, or 9–8 would end the game. But if the score is 7–6 or 8–7, play would continue until someone wins by 2 or reaches 9 points.

Different Ways to Play Streetball

21

A very popular streetball game is called 21. It's also known by other names like Hustle or New York. Usually, 3 to 5 players play 21 on a half court, but you can play with just two players or more.

In some versions, new players can join the game after it starts. They might begin with zero points or the same score as the player with the lowest points. "21" is a "every player for himself" game, meaning everyone plays against everyone else. The rules for "21" are usually decided by the players before the game starts.

Here are some common rules for "21":

• Starting the Game: One player "breaks" to start by shooting from the three-point line. Sometimes, players agree that this first shot must be missed so everyone has a fair chance to get the first rebound.
• Fouls: The normal foul rule is usually followed.
• Scoring: Baskets count as 1s and 2s, or 2s and 3s.
• Free Throws: After a successful shot, the shooter can take up to three 1-point free throws. If they miss a free throw, anyone can rebound the ball. If they make all three, they keep the ball and "check up" to start play again.
• Clearing the Ball: After any change of possession, the ball must be moved past the three-point line before a team can score.
• Winning: To win, a player must score exactly 21 points. If they go over 21, their score might go back down to 11, 13, or 15 points, depending on the rules.
• Next Game: The player who wins the game starts with the ball in the next game.
• Serious Fouls Only: Only very serious fouls are called, sometimes called "No blood, No foul."
• Other Rules: Other typical basketball rules, like out-of-bounds, are often ignored in "21" to avoid confusion.

Some extra rules for "21" can include:

• 5-Point Bonus: A player can try for a 5-point bonus instead of three free throws. But if they miss, they get no points.
• Playing with Tips: If a missed shot is tipped into the basket by another player without their feet touching the ground, the shooter's score might go back to 0 (or 13 if they had more than 13 points).
• Poison Points: If a player with 13 points misses their next shot, their score goes back to 0.
• Handicap System: If there's a big difference in skill levels, players with less than 13 points at the end of a game might keep their points for the next game.

"21" is a challenging game because the offensive player might have to go against several defenders at once. It's often a "shooter's game" because making shots means you keep the ball. "21" is popular because it allows an odd number of people to play, unlike regular basketball.

King of the Court

"King of the Court" (or "Boston") is another streetball game. It's like a one-on-one (or sometimes two-on-two) tournament with many players. Each match is played to just one point, following normal one-on-one rules. The winner stays on the court and gets the ball, while the loser goes to the end of the line of players waiting to play. The first player to win a certain number of matches (like 5, 7, or 11) wins the whole game. Each player can only take one shot per turn.

H-O-R-S-E

H-O-R-S-E is a game played by two or more people. The goal is to copy the shots made by other players. The player who makes more shots that their opponent can't copy wins. For example, if the first player makes a shot, the second player must make the exact same shot. If the second player misses, they get the letter H. If the first player misses, the second player can try any shot they want. The game continues until one person gets all five letters of H-O-R-S-E.

Around the World

Around the World is a game played by two or more players. Players agree on an order to take turns. The game involves shooting from a series of positions around the court. The goal is to be the first player to make a shot from all the positions. When a player makes a successful shot from the last position, they win.

The shooting positions are usually set up along the three-point line, starting from one side of the basket and going all the way around to the other side. This half-circle path is why the game is called "Around the World."

Making a shot from a position lets a player move to the next one. The rules are flexible, but usually, a player keeps shooting until they miss. What happens when you miss can vary. Sometimes, a missed shot means you have to start all over again from the first position. Other times, you can "save" your position and pass the ball to the next player. Most commonly, a player keeps shooting until they miss, and then their turn ends. They might also choose to take a "chance" shot; if they make it, they move on, but if they miss, they might go back a position or even start over.

Famous Streetball Players

• Rafer "Skip to my Lou" Alston
• Grayson "The Professor" Boucher
• Philip Champion (Hot Sauce/Sizzle)
• Lloyd "Swee' Pea" Daniels
• Earl "The Goat" Manigault
• Aaron "AO" Owens
• Kareem "The Best Kept Secret" Reid
• Ed "Booger" Smith
• John "The Franchise" Strickland
• Larry "Bone Collector" Williams
• Corey "Homicide" Williams

Streetball in Movies and Games

Movies and TV Shows

• Above the Rim
• American History X
• City Slam (TV show on ESPN)
• Crossover
• He Got Game
• Like Mike 2: Streetball
• White Men Can't Jump
• Uncle Drew

Video Games

• AND 1 Streetball (2006)
• FreeStyle Street Basketball (online PC game)
• NBA Ballers (2004) and its sequels
• NBA Street (video game series)

See also

In Spanish: Streetball para niños