How to Play 21 (Basketball)

Co-authored by Ryan Tremblay

Last Updated: September 16, 2022 References

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21 is a simplified version of basketball that keeps most of the standard rules. You can play it just about anywhere you have access to a basketball hoop. It's really easy to learn how to prepare, how to play the game, or how to handle the rules. You can play according to the basic rules or mix things up a bit after you’ve gotten the hang of it.

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Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Play

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Round up two or more people. Each person is their own team. Everyone keeps track of their own score.^{[1]
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On a regulation basketball court, this is a straight horizontal line. Usually, this is 15 feet (4.6 m) from the basket.^{[2]
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Research source} However, if you’re playing on a driveway or smaller court, you can improvise.

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This is the large semi-circle that encloses the free-throw line on a regulation court. Usually, this is 23.75 feet (7.24 m) from the basket.^{[3]
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Research source} Feel free to improvise on a smaller court.
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Establish the rules. Every game of 21 has its basic rules. However, you and the other players can make adjustments to create a challenge or make things easier for beginners.^{[4]
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Research source} Some common rules are:
- Regular shots are worth 2 points each. You can make them anywhere on the court except the free-throw or 3-point line.
- 3-point shots are worth 3 points each. Make them from the 3-point line.
- Free-throw shots are worth 1 point each. Make them from the free-throw line.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Playing the Game

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Take turns shooting at the hoop rim. The first person to hit the rim takes possession of the ball. You could adjust this rule so that you have to get the ball in the basket in order to take possession.
The player with possession shoots the ball at the 3-point line. All other players try to stop them from making the basket.^{[6]
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Research source} This is called busting-in or breaking-in the ball. A successful bust gets the opponent 2 points.^{[7]
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Get extra shots. Each 2-point shot you make earns you a 1-point shot from the free-throw line. After you make 3 shots in a row, one of your opponents can check you in a one-on-one match-up. If you make that shot, you get 2 points.
- If you miss your free throw, try to stop your opponents from putting the ball back in the basket.
Dribble the ball outside the 3-point line. This happens if someone misses the 2-point shot and one of their opponents rebounds the ball. The player with the ball can’t shoot before clearing.^{[8]
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Shoot additional 1- 2-, and 3-point shots until someone gets 21 points. In basic rules, the first player to 21 wins. You could end the game there or have a rematch.

Part 3

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Playing by New Rules

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1
Penalize tip-ins. In a tip-in, one player shoots the ball toward the basket but misses. Meanwhile, another player jumps, catches the ball, and scores before it hits the ground.^{[9]
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Research source} Make the game more challenging by reducing the score of the “tipped” shooter (the one who missed their shot).
- You can reduce it to 13 or a lower number if the player has less than 13 points. To make it even more interesting, reduce the score to zero.
Make a rule that the winner must have at least 21 points and lead by a set number of points. For example, you could agree to continue beyond 21 points until someone leads by 2, 4, or more points.
Sometimes, a player will have to make a free-throw shot in order to make it to 21. If they miss, their score gets rolled back to 13 points.

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What do you do if you are nervous before a game?

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach
Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Tremblay

Basketball Coach

Expert Answer

Don't worry about it—it's actually good to feel nervous! Feeling nervous means that you're ready for the game.

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