Basketball H-O-R-S-E Shooting Game

A basketball

A basketball hoop (driveway, park, or gym)

Find a hoop and decide who goes first. A free throw shoot-off is the traditional way to determine order.

The first player chooses any spot on the court and any shooting technique, then takes the shot. They can shoot from the free throw line, do a layup, try a granny shot, or go for a three-pointer.

If they make it, the second player must replicate the exact same shot — same spot, same technique. If the first player shot left-handed from the right side, the second player must do the same.

If the second player misses the replica shot, they earn a letter: H. Next miss is O, then R, S, E. Once you spell HORSE, you're out.

If the first player misses their initial shot, no letter is at stake. Play passes to the next player who gets to choose a shot.

The strategy: choose shots you're confident you can make but that are hard for your opponent. A tricky bank shot or a long-range shot puts pressure on them.

Get creative with trick shots: bounce the ball off the ground into the basket, shoot behind the back, shoot with your off hand, shoot with eyes closed, or toss it between your legs first.

The last player without spelling HORSE wins.

HORSE rewards accuracy and creativity over raw athletic ability, which makes it one of the fairest basketball games between kids of different ages and sizes.

For younger or beginner players, shorten the word to PIG (only 3 letters to lose) to keep games shorter.

Encourage creative shots. The fun of HORSE is in the trick shots, not just regular jumpers. The weirder the shot, the better the game.

Standing shots only — no dunks (unless everyone can dunk, which is unlikely for 8-12 year olds). This keeps it about shooting skill.

HORSE is a perfect solo practice game too. Challenge yourself: make 5 consecutive shots from 5 different spots without earning a letter against yourself.