Make it Fun: Try a Round of Hoops Golf

(Originally posted on Dec. 22, 2009, as Have Fun While You Practice - Part II. Revised on April 20, 2022.)
 
This is another installment in the Make it Fun series. If you want to avoid burn-out, you need to make workouts fun for players. Break up the monotony of the grind and allow them to work on their game in a fun and carefree environment. This is a fun shooting game called Hoop Golf. Just like golf, Hoop Golf can be fun and challenging.  It allows you to keep your score and measure your performance against yourself as well as others.
 
Setting Up the Game
You can choose to either play 9 or 18 “holes” by picking 9 or 18 spots on the court that are in your range. Having fun is important but getting better is the ultimate purpose. Make sure the shots are the type of shots that you will be taking in games as well.
 
Keeping Score
As in golf, the objective is to get the lowest score possible. In golf, your score is based on the number of swings you take on each hole. In Hoops Golf, your score is based on your shot attempts at each spot. You shoot from the first spot until you make the basket, then move to the next spot. Continue until you have made a shot from each spot.
 
There are two aspects to the scoring process that is best to record to allow you to compare progress over time. The score of each individual spot and the overall score. Work on lowering your score as you attempt to "Ace" each hole. Obviously, a perfect score of 9 or 18 depending upon the number of “holes” is the goal.
 
Learning from the Game
By keeping track of how many shots it takes to make a basket at each spot, you may find that some “holes” or spots are easier for you than others. This can provide valuable information on where you should be focusing your time in practice and where your money spots are for games.
 
As your score gets lower, you can always make the course tougher by moving back the "tees" or by adding moves to the shots or using an opposite hand.
You can add PAR scoring to each hole to provide targets or acknowledge difficulty of the shot. Tightening up a Par of 1 for FTs but 2 for a 3 pointer. Providing handicaps scoring to various players depending upon their skill level adds complexity to the game but may also provide some added excitement as they try and lower their handicap.
 
As the Coach, you may want to “design the course” for each player to focus on their weaknesses as well as areas of scoring opportunities based upon your offense. Track progress over time allowing the individual to compete against himself but also allow for friendly competition among teammates.  
 
Variations
This is a great game to play alone but also with a partner(s) to allow some friendly competition.
 

• Team Competition: Scramble: Set up teams and everyone gets a shot attempt until the shot is made and then the team advances to the next hole. You keep your order and still track the total number of shots.
• Team Competition: Alternate Hole: In golf, it’s called alternate shot where one player hits off the tee and the next player hits the 2nd shot and so on until they get it in the hole. In this version, one player shoots until they make the shot at the first spot and then the next player does the same at 2nd spot and so on.
• Mini-Golf: A more fun format that would be like HORSE. Make each hole more creative and challenging, using obstacles for bank-shots to add some fun and excitement.

 
It’s important for players, coaches, and parents to keep things in perspective when it comes to sports. It needs to be fun if they are going to maintain a passion. They also need to use these opportunities to get better in a less stressful environment. Balancing the enjoyment with the development will help fuel the passion Beyond Today.

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