# Hoop Shot: a basketball review game for the classroom

> A basketball review game for the whole class: answer right, then pick a close, middle or far shot for 2, 3 or 5 points. Free, one screen, no student devices.

Source: https://olyclass.com/classroom-games/hoop-shot/ · Updated 2026-10-29

Hoop Shot is a basketball review game for the classroom: a team answers a question, and a right answer earns a shot at the hoop. The team chooses a safe close shot or a risky far one, so every turn ends with a little decision and a lot of cheering. It works with any subject and any age that enjoys a gamble.

![A cartoon gym with a hoop on the right, a row of fluffy fans cheering on the bench, three shooting spots marked 5 Far, 3 Middle and 2 Close, and the banner "So close! No points"](https://olyclass.com/classroom-games/hoop.webp "Team 1 went for the far shot and the ball bounced off the rim: no points this time.")

## At a glance

| Players | The whole class in 2–4 teams free (up to 8 with Oly Pro) |
| Time | 10–20 minutes for 12 questions |
| Works with | Every English question format and every subject |
| Best for | Review before a test, classes that love sport, talking about risk |
| You need | One screen, your phone, and speakers for the swish |

## How to play Hoop Shot

1. **Make or pick a question set.** Snap a textbook page, paste a word list, type a topic, paste your own questions, or start from the [free library](https://olyclass.com/library/).
2. **Pick Hoop Shot, set the teams and start.** Teams take turns answering.
3. **Play.** A right answer gives the team a shot: close, middle or far. The ball flies, and it either drops in for the points or bounces off the rim for nothing. A wrong answer means no shot. When the questions run out, the team with the most points wins.

## Rules and scoring

| Shot | Points | Goes in about |
|---|---|---|
| Close | 2 | 85% of the time |
| Middle | 3 | 60% of the time |
| Far | 5 | 35% of the time |

The answer earns the shot; the shot earns the points. On average all three shots are worth about the same (1.7 to 1.8 points), so the choice is about nerve: a team in the lead can play it safe, and a team behind can go long to catch up. A far shot that goes in gets a fanfare and confetti.

You can switch these in the lobby before the game, or mid-game from the settings button:

- **Timer:** none, 10, 20, 30 or 60 seconds; running out counts as a wrong answer.
- **Wrong answers lose a point.** Off by default; scores never go below zero.
- **Steal:** off by default. When on, after a miss, another team may answer, and takes the shot if it's right (no extra turn).
- **Double or triple questions:** the points from that shot are multiplied, so a far shot on a triple question is worth 15.
- **Hide the score**, a seasonal theme, and full, calm or no effects.

![A picture question over the gym: a cartoon dolphin, "What is it?" and four answers: polar bear, dolphin, panda, crocodile](https://olyclass.com/classroom-games/hoop-ask.webp "The question comes first. Only a right answer earns the shot.")

You see the answer on your phone and tap Correct or Not yet. Then the team calls its shot, and you tap it on the phone, or a student taps the spot on a touch screen.

## What you can teach with it

**English:** every format works: picture, word, listen, spell, meaning, sentence order and your own questions.

- **Sports and hobbies at A1:** picture questions on *ball*, *swim*, *run*, *team*.
- **Comparatives at A2:** your own questions like "far → ?" and "close → ?".
- **Listening:** listen questions, where Oly says the word and the class picks it.

**Other subjects** use multiple choice, true/false and open questions:

- **Math:** probability for older students: work out which shot pays best (they all pay about the same), then play.
- **Science:** true/false facts before a test.
- **Geography:** countries and capitals, one per turn.

## Tips from the classroom

- **Make the team call the shot out loud** before you tap it. It stops "we meant far!" arguments.
- **Big class:** 4 teams with a class list, so Oly calls one student per team each question.
- **A team far behind?** Point out that two far shots can close the gap. It keeps them trying.
- **Turn on steal** so teams listen during other teams' questions.

## Play it without a screen

- Put a wastepaper basket at the front and tape three lines on the floor: close (2), middle (3), far (5).
- Ask a team a question. A right answer lets one student throw a paper ball from the line the team picks.
- In the basket scores the points; a miss scores nothing.
- Rotate the thrower each turn and keep score on the board.

The screen version is faster and fully seated, keeps score, and you run it from your phone.

## Questions teachers ask

### Is Hoop Shot free?

Yes. The game, the library and your own typed questions are free. The free plan includes 10 AI question sets a month (3 from photos) and up to 4 teams; Oly Pro allows up to 8.

### Do students need devices?

No. The class plays on one screen. You use your phone as the remote by scanning the QR code or typing the 6-digit PIN.

### Is it just luck?

The questions decide who shoots; the shot adds a bit of luck. Teams that answer more questions get more shots, so they usually win.

### How many students can play?

Any number. Split the class into 2 to 4 teams on the free plan, or up to 8 with Oly Pro.

### Can I use my own questions?

Yes. Paste them as `question | answer | wrong, wrong`, type them in the editor, or import a public Kahoot link.

### Can a team lose points?

A missed shot only scores nothing. Teams lose a point for a wrong answer only if you turn that rule on, and never go below zero.

For more sporty games, try [Penalty Kick](https://olyclass.com/classroom-games/penalty-kick/) or [Bowling](https://olyclass.com/classroom-games/bowling/).