Half-Court Mini Basketball 2v2
Two-on-two mini basketball games on a half court, restarting from a cone after every basket. Students practice protected dribbling, passing to an open teammate, and their first offensive and defensive decisions in a game packed with possessions.
How to play
- Make pairs in pinnies and put two pairs at each basket; if hoops are short, have two cone-marked 25 x 25 ft courts share one basket (2 min).
- Explain the key rule: the ball moves by dribbling or passing; the defender stays an arm's length away without touching (2 min).
- Each possession starts with a check pass from the half-court cone and lasts 30 seconds max; a basket is worth 2 points and hitting the rim is worth 1.
- After a score or defensive rebound, the other pair attacks from the cone; play 3-minute games (12 min, 4 games).
- On the whistle, winning pairs rotate one basket right and the others one basket left; during the break, each pair agrees on one offensive plan (4 min spread out).
Rules
- No traveling: two steps max while holding the ball.
- Steal only off the dribble or by intercepting; no ripping the ball away or pushing.
- On a held ball, possession alternates.
- Safety: nobody hangs on the rim, and spare balls stay off the court.
Variations
Easier
Allow one extra step, and defenders may only intercept passes.
Standard
Play 2v2 with arm's-length defense and a 30-second shot clock.
Harder
A basket only counts if both attackers touched the ball, with a 20-second shot clock.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: shoot at a lower hoop or a hula hoop held on a bench, with baskets counting double.
- Autism or shyness: keep the same partner throughout and preview the rotation with a visual card.
- Fitness or skill level: allow two-handed dribbling or a lighter ball.
Learning goals
- Dribble while shielding the ball from a defender.
- Decide when to pass and when to shoot.
- Follow traveling and contact rules with good sportsmanship.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketball: 7
- basketball hoops: 4
- pinnies: 26
- cones: 16
Teacher tip
The classic mistake is both attackers bunching up; ask the off-ball partner to stay "three big steps away or more." Reshuffle pairs if skill levels are lopsided.
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