I spotted Warner shooting around with his father, Mark, at the park tonight. They were playing H-O-R-S-E. We are all familiar with this game, but did you know there are official rules? According to the authorities at Kansas State University,
“H-O-R-S-E is a game played by two people on a basketball court. The idea of the game involves matching baskets. The player who makes shots that the opponent does not duplicate, wins the game. Example: The second person shooting must duplicate the first person’s shot, if it is made. If the second shooter misses, he/she receives the letter “H”. If the first person’s shot is missed, the second shooter may attempt any shot. If his/her shot is made, the opponent is obligated to duplicate it. Each time a shooter misses a shot that he/she attempted to duplicate, a letter is “awarded”. The game continues until one person accumulates 5 letters or H-O-R-S-E.”
The K-State rules specify a finite list of allowable “called” shots:
- Bank – off backboard and into basket, may touch rim
- Bank Swish – off backboard and into basket without touching rim
- Straight In – must go into basket without touching backboard or rim
- Swish – directly into basket without touching backboard or rim
- Opposite Hand – if shooter is right-handed the shot is attempted with left hand and vice versa
- Jump Shot – both feet off court when ball is released
- Set Shot – both feet in contact with court when ball is released
- Hook Shot – ball is released in arch over the body
A special note to Mark and other fathers seeking to impress (demoralize) their sons and daughters…
“Trick shots involving spins and ball movement prior to release are not allowed.”
I’m not saying that I witnessed such an offense at tonight’s match. But.. if an otherwise well-meaning father were previously unaware of this prohibition, he could take his son out for ice cream as compensation, right? Restorative justice, playground style.
Hypothetically speaking, of course.
