Basketball is a classic pastime for several reasons. A fun game to play that welcomes a lot of people and keeps you active is a win-win-win. This being said, if you’re looking to get into playing more regularly, it can be hard to know how to organize things or where to begin. The following will break down the steps you need to take to enjoy a good game of basketball.

It’s All About the Players

When it comes to team sports in either a competitive sense or a casual sense, whom you play with is what makes the game. Invite your friends or colleagues and find a day or time that works for everyone. Ideally, you’ll find an even number of people so that no one needs to sit out a game to keep things fair. You want the same number of players each time.

You Need a Basketball

Depending on your group of friends, someone might already have one, in which case you can ask them to bring it, and this part is sorted for you. You can also find basketballs for sale in a wide variety of places, including department stores, sports stores, and even hardware stores. All that’s required is that it has enough air in it to remain firm and bounce. You might have to use a manual bicycle pump to inflate the ball. Keep in mind the ideal fullness when doing this because that can have an impact on the game. You might need to do this if the ball has been kept in a basement or garage for some time.

You Need a Court

This is one of the most flexible elements of setting up a basketball game. Ideally, you want a flat, even court that a ball bounces on. This being said, it’s okay if the surface isn’t perfect. You can switch out which team plays on which side every game (if you’re playing multiple games) or each quarter.

It’s also ideal if the court has a three-point line, a free throw line, and clear sidelines. This isn’t always possible, especially if you’re playing outdoors, as paint tends to fade over time from the elements. Make sure everyone agrees on the layout before you play if you don’t have these.

You Need Nets

Depending on where you’ve chosen to play the game, basketball nets might already be provided. If they’re not, you can look into portable basketball hoop reviews by Iron City Showdown to get an idea of what you’d like to get. There’s a variety of price ranges and sizes available on the market.

You Need to Agree on the Rules

Ahead of time, it’s a good idea to have everyone on the same page when it comes to rules. This way, there’s no confusion once the game begins. You might be surprised to learn that the rules have changed over time, and different people remember different rules. It’s okay to have house rules just for your friends and games.

With the above steps followed, you’re well on your way to playing a great game of basketball with your friends. If there’s an odd number of you, make sure to switch out players every so often, so everyone gets a turn to play.