How to Play Basketball at Home

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. A great exercise and social activity, basketball is played by millions of people globally. With humble beginnings, having started at a local YMCA in Massachusetts, basketball has grown to a sporting powerhouse.

And whether you enjoy playing basketball at home, at your local gym, or on a high school or college team, the numerous benefits of basketball cannot be overstated.

But, for many of us, basketball is most often enjoyed from the comfort of our own home. And if you’re looking for the best ways to play basketball at home, then you’ve come to the right spot.

Below, we are going to discuss and review just how to play basketball at home. In this review, we will discuss the best basketball gear and equipment to help you get started and will also discuss some of the best plays to practice while playing at home.

Benefits of Playing Basketball at Home

While many of us enjoy playing basketball at a local park or gym, the value of playing basketball at home cannot be overstated.

Playing basketball from the comfort of your own home not only provides you with the convenience of play but also allows you to better your own basketball skills and abilities before playing with other players.

In addition, playing basketball at home allows you to play through differing weather conditions and allows for play at night or day.

Similarly, playing basketball at home helps to avoid the impulse to take rest days.

And while taking time and rest to allow your body to heal and recover is important, many of the greatest basketball players of all time spend countless hours training and ensuring that their basketball skills and abilities are top-notch.

How to Get Started With Playing Basketball at Home

While the rules of basketball may seem intimidating, particularly in the beginning, it doesn’t have to be. Basketball, from all other major sports, is one of the easiest and most friendly sports to learn.

Without a steep learning curve, many newer players are able to master the basic rules, plays, and offenses within just a few weeks of starting.

And if you’re just starting out, then below are just a few of some of the most important rules to remember and skills to learn.

• Always Maintain Your Dribble – perhaps one of the most important rules of the game is to always keep your dribble. Basketball, unlike any other major sport, requires the offensive player to maintain a dribble to advance forward on the court. If you are just starting out and learning the ropes, one of the best ways to become a better basketball player is to practice your dribble. And this can be easily done at home. Simply grab your preferred basketball and practice your dribble on your driveway!

• Practice Your Shooting Abilities – while flashy dunks are impressive, the game of basketball has evolved from an interior sport to one that rewards efficient three-point shooting. That is, professional teams have migrated their offensive plays to find the open three-point shot over the interior lay-up, with the three-point shot providing overall better success for teams able to take advantage of the additional point.

• Develop a Team First Mentality – while, admittedly, more difficult to do when playing at home and without other players, basketball is more successfully played when done with a team first mentality. As a regulation game of basketball is competed with teams of five, no one individual is able to do it all. Developing a team first mentality will not only make you a better player, and one that other player’s will want to play with, but will also ensure more winning games for you and your team.

• Learn How to Hustle – while many of us casual and avid fans of the game review game highlights, we may miss the more crucial, yet not as flashy, plays from the game. And while some of the greatest basketball players, from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, are most widely known for their buzzer beaters, it is the plays before the big shot which allowed them to succeed. And, more often than not, those plays involved significant hustle, grit, and determination. Learning how to hustle on the court involves learning how to play better defense, how to secure the open rebound, and how to make the necessary pass to an open teammate.

Best Gear to Get Started With Playing Basketball at Home

While basketball is, admittedly, one of the easier and more friendly sports to learn and become an expert in, there are a few key pieces of gear and equipment which are needed to get started.

For starters, a game of basketball, obviously, cannot be played without a basketball or basketball hoop.

And while there are a plethora of options, sizes, and brands to choose from, it is best to keep it simple.

And, as you will be playing at home, it is best to purchase both a basketball and basketball hoop that is adept at weathering differing weather conditions and climates.

When it comes to the best basketball for both indoor and outdoor use, we highly recommend the Spalding All Conference Indoor-Outdoor Basketball. Featuring a composite material finish, this basketball is perfect for indoor and outdoor play and provides the grip and durability players are looking for.  With a brownish finish, this basketball maintains its natural shape and performance, time and time again.

Another great choice is the Spalding Zi/O Excel Basketball. This basketball is shipped inflated and ready to use.  With a tacky outer feel, the Spalding Zi/O Excel Basketball provides superior grip on both asphalt and hardwood flooring.

Similarly, as you will be playing basketball at home, you will need a proper basketball hoop. That is, you will need one that not only maintains its form and strength through differing weather conditions and climates but also one that is able to withstand repeated use and abuse without wear or tear.

Our top pick for the best basketball hoop for home use is none other than Spalding’s The Beast Glass Portable Basketball Hoop. 

A true engineering marvel and beauty, this basketball hoop provides basketball players with the rigidity and stability of an in-ground system, but with a wheeled base that makes it easy to move and transport.

Another great basketball hoop option and one that we really love is the Spalding Ultimate Hybrid Portable Basketball Hoop. The Spalding Ultimate Hybrid Basketball Hoop allows for the addition of both sand and water into the base of the hoop, allowing for a more rigid and structured hoop system.

And lastly, when it comes to playing basketball at home, you will need proper basketball attire and outfits. And while you could spend a small fortune on your basketball outfit, we’d recommend not doing so.

Rather, we stick with and recommend the Nike Dri-FIT shorts when playing a game of basketball.  Not too short, these shorts provide adequate coverage for the game and are comfortable and loose enough to allow for quick, sudden movements throughout your time on the court.

And when it comes to choosing a proper basketball shirt, we recommend a simple athletic shirt, such as one from Nike or Under Armour.

These athletic shirts come with the same moisture-wicking technology we discussed above and typically come in simple, neutral colors, allowing you to focus on the game at hand.

Best Basketball Plays to Practice at Home

While playing basketball at home and without other players does not fully mimic the feel and flow of a basketball game, there are a number of plays and drills you can complete to increase your overall basketball skills.

Below, we are going to review just some of the basic one’s you can do at home to help you better your basketball skills.

HIIT Sprint

We’ve previously discussed the benefits of a HIIT workout for basketball players and as an additional exercise routine.  HIIT stands for high intensity interval training and is a great workout system to implement within your basketball drills when you are looking to up the intensity levels.

At the end of the 30-seconds, rest for 90-seconds, allowing your body to regain composure and for you to get your breath.  Once the 90-second rest has completed, return to a full sprint, again for another 30-seconds.  Repeat this process for five sets.

The Floor is Lava

A classic take on a children’s game, the floor is lava is a simple exercise that pushes your workout to the next level. 

Choosing a spot on the floor, shoot the basketball with the aim of scoring.  However, if you miss the shot, you must chase down the ball before it hits the floor. 

If the ball hits the floor, drop the ball and complete ten pushups.  Immediately return to a standing position and shoot the ball from where you either rebounded the ball or where the ball landed after the missed shot.

The Blindfolded Free Throw

Simply stand at the free throw line and close your eyes.  Focusing on the feel of the ball in your hand and the rim directly in front of you, shoot the free throw while keeping your eyes shut.

The blindfolded free throw is meant to push your comfortability levels and the feeling of uncertainty in shooting a free throw.  While this exercise may seem simple, you will want to push yourself and your comfort levels.  Take ten free throw shots with your eyes closed but don’t stop until you’ve made all ten in a row.