The quick version
First player shoots from the line; second may shoot only after that release. After a miss, rebound your own ball and keep shooting from nearer the hoop. If the second shooter scores first, the first is out. Pass made balls to the next waiting players. Last player left wins; no ball bumping or blocking.
Saved on this device only — clearing your browser's cache or site data removes them (no account backup).
Form the queue and choose the finish
Choose the free-throw line or a closer line everybody can reach. Draw the queue order. Give the first two players balls; others wait behind the line, clear of the rebound area.
Play until one remains. A basket goes down through the hoop. No ball bumping, shot blocking, taking another player's ball or body contact. On a collision or uncertain basket order, pause and restart that race with both players still in.
Shoot, hand off and eliminate
Release the first shots in order
The first active player shoots from the marked line. The second active player may release their own first shot only after the first player's release. Every newly active player must take their first attempt from that same line, even when the other shooter is already near the basket.
Follow your own miss
Retrieve your own ball and keep attempting baskets from wherever you recover it. You may move closer and take a layup; dribble when moving with the ball. There is no requirement to return to the starting line after a miss. Keep pursuing until you score or are eliminated.
First active shooter scores first
That shooter retrieves and passes their ball to the next waiting player, then joins the back of the queue. The other active shooter continues and is now the first active shooter. The new player becomes second and may take their opening shot once the player ahead has already released an attempt in their current turn. The sequence continues with at most two active shooters.
Second active shooter scores first
The first active shooter is eliminated. Call stop immediately; do not count later baskets from that race. Both retrieve their balls. The scoring player goes to the back of the queue; the eliminated player leaves the playing area. Give the balls to the next two remaining players at the head of the queue and restart, first release then second release.
Resolve the last two
With only two remaining, the leading shooter's made basket sends them back to the line to start another turn while the other continues. They must shoot from the line again. If the trailing shooter scores first, the leader is out and the trailing shooter wins. Keep the same release order and pause rule; there is no point total to track.
Reset a new round
Bring everyone back, restore both balls and draw a new opening order. Starting positions affect the first race, so rotate or redraw them between rounds. Reset any variation's lives too.
Keep the race readable
Demonstrate handoff and elimination restart. Pass to a ready waiting player, away from the shooters. An observer can announce basket order and eliminations.
Eliminated players stay clear and retrieve balls only after play stops.
Already know the game?
Ideas & Twists
Choose a variation together before you start.
Basketball knockout · See main rules
Suggested house variationTwo lives
Everyone starts with two lives. Losing a race as the leading shooter costs one. Pause and return both balls exactly as in an elimination, but a player with one life remaining rejoins the back of the queue after the scoring player. A player who loses their second life leaves the round. Continue until only one player has a life; that player wins. Display lives on paper so a restart never depends on memory.
Basketball knockout · See main rules
Suggested house variationMoving starting spots
Choose three reachable shooting spots: left, middle and right. Begin at the first. After each elimination, pause, move the queue to the next spot and restart with both balls. Missed shots may still be rebounded and shot from closer in. Cycle through all three spots until one player remains. Changing the opening angle is the only rule change; the same elimination and final-two rules determine the winner.
About this guide
Uses shooting knockout from the Jr. NBA / Canada Basketball drill bank, read through an association mirror: two balls, no bumping, queue handoffs and both-ball return after elimination. Collision replays and variations are house choices.
Ready for something different?
Find another game →