Looking for some basketball games to play by yourself? Look no further, here are the top 3 solo basketball games that will improve your conditioning.
TL;DR: 3 of the best basketball games to work on your cardio are Bump, 21 and Pressure.
Let’s keep it real –you don’t have any friends…
Okay, I’m just kidding. That might have been a little harsh. But at least I got your attention.
Anyway, sometimes, you’re not going to have any teammates or friends to practice with.
You’re going to have to go to the park and shoot around by yourself. But just shooting around can become tedious.
You’ll probably get bored.
However, if you add some rules and an objective to what you’re doing, shooting around will become challenging and competitive.
This is where basketball shooting games jump in.
Unfortunately, most of them will require more than one player. However, if you alter the games a bit, they can become really fun solo games.
I’m a master at this because I have no friends and am often playing basketball by myself.
You don’t have to feel sorry for me (but also do feel sorry for me).
Soooo, yeah…
Anyhow, the games that I will be showing you in this article are Bump, 21, and Pressure.
The Top 3 Solo Basketball Games
How to Play Bump
Bump is a pretty easy game to play.
To start, three or more players would line up. The first person would shoot it and if he makes the shot, he survives and goes to the end of the line.
If he misses it, he has to make the shot before the next shooter makes her shot. If he doesn’t, he is eliminated.
Also, the first shooter can take any type of shot (layup, mid-range, etc.). It just has to go in.
But the trailing shooter is allowed to bump the ball away to make it more difficult (toss her ball at the first shooter’s, dribble up and bump it away, etc.).
The players continue this sequence until there is one player left.
For a more detailed guide on Bump and an explanation of how this game will help with your development, click here to read a post that I wrote about the game.
How to Play Bump Solo
But since you are playing by yourself, the rules of the game change a bit.
Instead of having subsequent shooters add pressure to your shot, you’re going to set a timer.
If you miss your initial shot, you have 10-15 seconds to rebound it and make your next one (you can decide the time limit, but don’t make it too easy).
But you are not allowed to do layups or take close-range shots. You have to take a 3 or a mid-range jumper.
This will make the game a lot more challenging for you.
To win, you have to make ten shots with only three fails.
Solo bump will work your cardio and jump shooting. The time limit will add pressure, which will teach you to stay calm and collected when you shoot.
Additionally, always make sure your shooting form is correct and consistent.
How to Play 21
21 is one of the most popular basketball games. It’s good for beginners because it doesn’t require too much skill to play.
You really only need to know how to shoot a ball.
There are many variations to this game, but I’ll be sticking with the original version of 21.
Normally, you need two or more players for this game. You would pick one player to shoot first and this player would start at the free-throw line.
Some people start at the 3-point line, but we ain’t pro like them, so the free-throw line will do just fine.
The first player would take a regular free-throw.
If she makes it, she gets another free-throw. If she misses the shot, the following player has to rebound it and shoot it from where he caught it from.
Let’s say he makes the shot. He would then get a free-throw.
But if he misses it, the other player has to rebound the ball and shoot it from wherever she caught it at.
This goes on until a player reaches 21 points.
How to Play 21 Solo
The original way of playing this game can also be played solo. But I think it’s more fun if you add some variations to it.
You would start the game as normal. If you make the initial shot (the free-throw), you keep shooting from the free-throw line.
But if you miss the shot, you have 7 seconds to rebound it and make the shot.
If you miss it again, you have to rebound it and do 10 jumping jacks before you can take your next shot.
Missed it again? Do the same thing. Rebound it and do ten jumping jacks before shooting your free-throw.
However (you can add this part if you want), if you are able to rebound the ball close to the basket, you have to take two big steps out.
You are not allowed to take close-range shots. Only midrange and beyond.
Once you score 21 points, the drill is over.
This version of 21 is a workout, much like the Stockton Drill. It will train your cardio, focus, and shooting when you’re dead tired (also like the Stockton Drill, which you can read about here).
How to Play Pressure
Pressure is a 3-point shooting game and is pretty simple to play.
You would need three or more players.
First, you need to decide who shoots first, second, third, and so on.
Once that is established, the first player gets to shoot. She can shoot from anywhere on the 3-point line that she pleases. If she misses the shot, nothing is added to the pot.
But if she makes it, she adds one point to the pot.
If the previous player missed the shot, the following player has nothing to worry about.
But if he makes it, he adds another point to the pot.
If not, nothing happens.
However, if the previous player’s shot went in, he has to make his shot too because if he doesn’t, he gets one strike.
Now let’s say you’re the fourth shooter and every other shot has gone in. If you miss your shot, you will collect four strikes and the pot resets.
But if you make it, you add one more point to the pot.
This game normally goes until every player except one hits seven strikes (or is eliminated).
How to Play Pressure Solo
But this is how you would play it if you had friends.
This is what I say to myself when I’m about to play the following solo version.
Again, don’t feel bad for me (but also, do).
Anyway, to make the solo version of pressure more pressurized (this isn’t meant to be a pun; I genuinely couldn’t think of another word) you’re going to have to add some type of exercise after a missed shot.
You also need a goal to reach.
So, you start off as normal. But your goal is to reach five 3-pointers in a row (you can add more if you want).
If you’re on a streak of three made shots and you miss, you go back to zero.
But to add more difficulty to it, you also have to do an exercise of your choice for three reps (this amount changes with the number of shots you’ve made).
You can do push-ups, squats, sit-ups… whatever.
However, if your pot has nothing in it, you have to do three jumping jacks if you miss a shot.
This game will strengthen your body, work on your cardio, and help you develop shooting consistency.
Final Thoughts
Playing basketball by yourself doesn’t have to be boring.
You just have to get creative and find new ways to make the game more challenging.
So, try these games and get more conditioned.