Kristian Ferrell
Basketball HORSE is a fun game for basketball players and kids with a backyard hoop. It is a shooting game where players take turns shooting at the hoop from different locations. The game is similar to Simon Says, but with a basketball, and players use their imagination to create crazy shots. The game can be played with two or more players, and the order of play must be decided before starting. The first player takes a shot at the hoop from anywhere on the court and can add extra rules, such as shooting with their eyes closed. If they miss the shot but satisfy the rules they announced, the shot counts. If a player misses a shot that another player made, they get a letter, eventually spelling out HORSE and losing the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 2 or more |
| Objective | Be the last player without the full word "HORSE" |
| Rules | Players take turns shooting at the hoop from different locations and adding their own rules. If a player misses a shot that another player made, they get a letter, and once they have all five letters, they are out. |
| Strategy | Take high-percentage shots that you know you can make, even if they are less impressive. |
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$34.99 $39.99
What You'll Learn
- Number of players: You can play with two or more players
- Order of play: Decide who goes first, second, and so on
- Taking turns: Each player takes turns shooting at the hoop from different locations
- Adding rules: Players can add rules to their shots, such as shooting with their eyes closed
- Scoring: If a player misses a shot, they get a letter. The first player to spell HORSE loses
Number of players: You can play with two or more players
The basketball game HORSE can be played with two or more players. It's a fun game for all skill levels and can be played on any court or with a backyard hoop.
To start, players must agree on the order of play. This can be done by flipping a coin, playing rock, paper, scissors, or taking turns shooting from the same spot, with the first person to make a basket choosing their position.
The first player takes a shot at the hoop from anywhere on the court. They can add extra rules to this shot, such as shooting with their eyes closed or shooting behind their back, but these rules must be announced before shooting. The player gets one attempt to make the basket, and if they don't satisfy the rules of the shot they announced, the shot doesn't count.
The next player then attempts the same shot. If they make it, the turn passes to the next player, and so on. If a player misses the shot, they get a letter, either an "H" or, if playing the version where a player gains a letter, they gain a letter each time everyone else makes the shot. The game continues with each player taking a turn to invent a new shot or attempt the previous player's shot, gaining a letter each time they miss, until one player spells out "HORSE" and loses, or gains "HORSE" and wins, depending on the version played.
The order of play works in a loop, so once the final player has taken their shot, the ball goes back to the first player.
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Order of play: Decide who goes first, second, and so on
To decide the order of play in a game of HORSE, there are several methods you can use. A simple way is to flip a coin or play rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets to choose the order. If you are still unable to decide, a fun way to choose is to have everyone take turns shooting from the same spot; the first person to make a basket can then choose their position. Continue this process until the full order has been decided.
Once the order has been agreed upon, the first player takes a shot at the hoop. This player can shoot from anywhere on the court or even from out of bounds. They can also add "extra rules" to this shot, such as shooting with their eyes closed or shooting behind their back, but these rules must be announced before taking the shot. The player gets only one attempt to make the basket, and if they do not satisfy all the rules of the shot they stated, the shot doesn't count.
After the first player has taken their shot, the next player in the order attempts to make the same shot. If they miss, they receive a letter "H." If they make the shot, the ball goes back to the first player, who must invent a new shot. If the second player misses and gets the letter "H," and then the third player misses as well, the third player also gets a letter "H." This process continues, with the ball looping back to the first player after the final player has taken their shot.
Each time a player misses a shot that the previous player made, they get a new letter, gradually spelling out "H-O-R-S-E." When a player spells out the full "HORSE," they lose the game. If a player misses the basket when it is their turn to attempt a shot, play simply passes to the next player with no penalty.
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Taking turns: Each player takes turns shooting at the hoop from different locations
Horse is a basketball shooting game that can be played by anyone with a basketball hoop. The game is played by a minimum of two players, but there is no limit to the number of players who can join in. The game begins by deciding the order of play, which can be done by flipping a coin or playing rock, paper, scissors.
The first player takes a shot at the hoop from anywhere on the court or even from out of bounds. They can also add "extra rules" to this shot, such as shooting with their eyes closed or shooting behind their back, but they must announce these rules before shooting. The first player gets only one attempt to make the basket. If they succeed in making the basket but do not satisfy all the rules they stated, the shot doesn't count.
The next player must then attempt to match the shot or create a new one. If the first player missed the shot, the second player can create a new shot from a different location. If the first player made the basket, the second player must copy the first player's shot exactly, including where they were standing. If the second player misses the shot, they get a letter towards the word "HORSE". Each time a player misses a shot, they get a new letter, eventually spelling out H-O-R-S-E. When a player spells out the full "HORSE", they are eliminated from the game.
The game continues with the remaining players playing in the same order but skipping the eliminated player's turn. The game ends when there is only one player left, who is declared the winner.
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Adding rules: Players can add rules to their shots, such as shooting with their eyes closed
The game of HORSE is a fun way to play basketball, and it allows players to use their imagination and creativity. The game is simple: players take turns shooting at the basket, and if the first player makes the basket, the second player must attempt the same shot. If the first player misses, the second player can shoot from anywhere on the court. This pattern continues for the duration of the game. Players receive a letter each time they miss a shot, and once a player has all the letters to spell "HORSE", they are out. The last player remaining wins the game.
Now, here is where the creativity comes in: players can add rules to their shots! This could be something like shooting with their eyes closed, shooting behind their back, or any other rule they can think of. However, there is a catch: they must announce these rules before taking their shot. If they don't follow the rules they set for themselves, the shot doesn't count. So, players must be careful and strategic about the rules they choose!
Adding rules to shots in HORSE basketball not only makes the game more challenging but also more entertaining. It allows players to showcase their creativity and think outside the box. For example, a player might decide to shoot with their non-dominant hand or even attempt a shot while jumping backwards! The possibilities are endless.
Additionally, players can make the game even more interesting by coming up with unique and difficult shots. They can combine multiple rules to create a super challenging shot that will really test their skills. For instance, a player could decide to shoot with their eyes closed and their off-hand while spinning around. It's important to remember that these rules should be announced before taking the shot to ensure fairness.
Overall, the ability to add rules to shots in HORSE basketball encourages players to be imaginative and take the game to the next level. It adds an element of surprise and keeps everyone on their toes. So, the next time you play HORSE, don't be afraid to get creative and add some unique rules to your shots! Just make sure you can follow through on your own rules!
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Scoring: If a player misses a shot, they get a letter. The first player to spell HORSE loses
The game of HORSE is a fun and competitive twist on traditional basketball that can be played by anyone with access to a basketball hoop. The game is simple: players take turns shooting at the hoop from different locations, attempting to make increasingly creative and challenging shots. The first player takes a shot at the hoop from anywhere on the court and can even add extra rules to make the shot more difficult, such as shooting with their eyes closed or shooting behind their back. If they make the shot, the next player must attempt the same shot. If the second player misses, they get the letter "H". Play continues, and each time a player fails to make a shot, they get a new letter, gradually spelling out "H-O-R-S-E". The first player to accumulate all the letters and spell "HORSE" loses the game.
It's important to note that if a player misses a shot after a letter has been given, they do not receive a letter for that miss. Additionally, players can get creative and invent new shots to challenge their opponents. If a player invents a shot that every other player successfully makes, they can introduce a new, more challenging shot. This adds an element of strategy to the game, as players must balance their desire to accumulate letters for their opponents with the risk of setting a shot that is too easy.
The game can be played with two or more players, and the order of play can be determined in various ways, such as through a brief free-throw competition or rock, paper, scissors. As the game progresses, players are eliminated once they spell out "HORSE", and the remaining players continue in the same order, skipping the eliminated player's turn. Eventually, there will be one player left, who is declared the winner.
HORSE is a highly versatile game that can be adapted to suit different skill levels and creative preferences. It encourages players to think outside the box and develop their shooting technique, all while having fun and engaging in friendly competition.
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Frequently asked questions
Horse is a basketball shooting game where players take turns shooting at the hoop from different locations.
You can play Horse with two or more players but you must first decide on an order for who plays when. Each player then takes turns shooting at the hoop from anywhere on the court or even from out of bounds. If a player misses a shot that another player has made, they get a letter, eventually spelling out H-O-R-S-E. When you spell out the full "HORSE", you lose the game.
If you can't decide on the order, each player can take turns shooting from the same spot. The first player to make a basket can choose their position in the order.
Some people suggest taking high-percentage shots, even if they are easier for your opponent. For example, taking a shot that you can make 60% of the time is better than a shot you can make 20% of the time.
