Gamifying Basketball: How Rock Paper Scissors Builds Better Scorers in a Fun Way

Did you know there used to be a “pro” sports league called The United States of America Rock Paper Scissor League? Until I looked it up, I didn't either.

How about the fact that the last champion was awarded a $50,000 prize? Not bad for a day's work!

Shockingly, the league went defunct. However, the game hasn't. It's a game that almost every kid knows.

A big part of being a youth coach is keeping the game fun. Many kids quit sports because they no longer find them fun.

With that in mind, your job as a youth basketball coach is to educate your players on the game in an enjoyable way. That's the entire thought process behind Jim Huber Beginner Basketball Ages 5-9.

Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) is a perfect way to do that!

How RPS Can Teach Offense and Defense in One Drill

Instructions

Partner players up and have them face each other.
Have the players set a basketball in between them on the ground.
Players should assume an athletic stance.
The players will play a round of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Whoever wins grabs the ball and is on offense. Whoever loses is on defense.
The offense attacks the basket to try and score while the defense tries to stop them from scoring.
Players reset and continue to play for the duration of the segments.

5 Benefits Of The Rock Paper Scissors Game For Youth

Stance: Players must be in an athletic stance to be able to grab the ball or move into defensive position after the RPS round.
Ripping the ball: Whoever wins must grab the ball off the ground and rip it to their outside hip as they start to attack the rim.
Attack mentality: The offense should have an advantage as the defender starts on their side (not between them and the basket). They should use their speed dribble to attempt to beat the defender to the rim.
Recognizing advantage: As the offense gets to the rim, they must determine how big of an advantage they have. That will guide the type of layup they shoot (1 foot, 2 feet, etc.).
Defensive recovery: Players will get beat on defense. This drill works on getting back into the play and contesting a shot without fouling. Whoever loses the RPS round must sprint and attempt to get back into a good guarding position.

4 RPS Variations to Take Your Team's Agility and Decision Making to the Next Level

Dribbling RPS: players stand across from each other and play RPS. Both players dribble the whole time. Winners play winners. Players never stop dribbling. Losers must cheer for the player who beat them while dribbling the whole time. Continue until you have 1 champion (no 50k prize, unfortunately). Make sure players alternate which hand they dribble with.
Dribbling RPS Baseline Tag: line players up facing each other at half court. Both players dribble with 1 hand and play RPS with the other. The winner then attempts to speed dribble to the nearest baseline while the defender tries to tag them before they get there. (Make sure to have players vary which hand they dribble with).
Dribbling RPS Layup Race: line players up facing each other at half court. Both players dribble with 1 hand and play RPS with the other. The winner gets to pick any hoop to shoot a layup at. The loser must go to the same hoop. The first person to score at that hoop gets a point. (Make sure to have players vary which hand they dribble with).
RPS 1v1 Any Hoop: this is a variation on the original 1v1 drill. This time, both players are dribbling. The winner of the RPS round immediately goes to any hoop and tries to score. The defender must react accordingly and try to stop them from scoring. You can have the defender dribble while playing defense or you can allow them to set the ball down and defend.

Gamify Your Practices To Make Learning Fun

If you want your players to love basketball, play more games. However, that doesn't mean just roll the balls out.

Your games must be targeted to work on relevant skills. That's exactly what Rock Paper Scissors does. It gets players smiling and enjoying themselves as they improve at fundamental skills.

For more games that will make your youth season fun for you and your team, check out Jim Huber Beginner Basketball Ages 5-9.