An informal game of basketball organized spontaneously by someone or a group of players is known as a basketball pickup game. Depending on the number of players playing, basketball pickup games can be played full-court or half-court. The time for pickup basketball begins when the season for real basketball ends in spring. For someone who has quit due various reasons or has taken a break, basketball pickup games is a great way to come back to the game. It will remind them of those glorious basketball days. Though pickup basketball cannot be a replacement of real game but still one can reap the following benefits:

• Stay in shape

When you engage in pick up basketball, it helps to maintain their strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance at a high level throughout the year. It is an excellent way to exercise and stay in shape, as you get to sweat out and run up and down. It becomes much easier for the players to maintain their physical fitness round the year rather than preparing themselves all over again when the basketball season is about to begin.

• Aids development in players

Pickup basketball is important for a player’s physical and mental development. A player needs to know where they stand when compared with their peers and older players in terms of physical strength. Pickup basketball is a good way for the players to judge themselves and work on their skills. There will be no coach to supervise the game and players can freely perform. Players can work hard and implement new skills. In a pickup court, players can introduce new skills, practice and apply the same in the real game.

• Builds confidence

Since there is not a lot of defense, players can see the ball going through the hoop and it is easy to score and they feel confident about the game. In pickup basketball young players get an opportunity to play against older men. When they become successful, it goes a long way for the player’s development. Furthermore as the older players are experienced, young players get to learn from them. Here the players can play without any pressure from a coach or referee. Often the older players share their feelings about how they fell in love with the game and those who grew up in the urban community owe it to pickup basketball. It is simple, free flowing and it is the place where everyone gets started.

• The fun factor

Playing pickup basketball can be fun. In pickup basketball, the number of players does not matter. One can play the game with just a couple of buddies. It does not matter even if it is not 5 on 5. It can be even 4 on 4 or even down to 1 on 1 or a game of 21, it does not make a difference. Unlike organized game, as there is no pressure to perform.

Conclusion

Though pickup basketball has its own set of problems, but it is also true that one can learn some real life lessons with no referee or coach around to resolve the issues that may come up.