Knockout Basketball Rules

The basketball game of knockout is a great way to improve shooting and get a good workout at the same time. Although typically played by fairly evenly matched players, there are no age or skills restrictions, and the only requirements are two balls and a basketball court with at least one clearly marked free throw or three-point line.

  1. Players

    • Knockout has a minimum of two players and basically no maximum--you can have as many players as want who to stand in line to shoot--but it is ideally played by a group of eight to 10 players. A small group means a quick game and a large group means a lot of standing around waiting for your turn to shoot.

    Positioning

    • Knockout typically is played starting at the free throw line, but advanced players or those wanting a greater challenge can start at the three-point line. Players start by forming a line from the free throw line and back into the court, away from the basketball; in other words, one player stands on the free throw line, another stands behind him and so on. They all face the basket.

    Shooting

    • The first two players in line are given basketballs. The first player shoots at the basket. If he makes it, he retrieves the ball and tosses it to the next player in line behind the other player with the ball. If he misses, he must retrieve the ball and make a layup before the next player with the ball makes his shot. If he makes the layup in time, he passes the ball to the next player in line, just as he would have if he had made the free throw.

    Losing and Winning

    • If a player misses his first shot and does not make a layup before the next player in line makes a shot, he is out of the game. This is true even if the next player in line misses his first shot but gets to his ball and makes a layup before the first player does. For example, player 1 is out if he misses his free throw if player 2 either makes his free throw or misses it but gets the rebound and makes a layup before player 1 makes his layup. The game continues in this way, with more and more players being knocked out, until only one player is left, who is the winner.