5 Tips for Organizing a Great Pickup Game

Running a pickup game is an art. Get it right, and you'll have a crew that shows up every week. Get it wrong, and you'll be chasing people down for the rest of your life. Here are five tips to run games people actually want to play in.

1. Pick a consistent time and place — The best runs happen at the same spot, same time, every week. Tuesday 6pm at the park. Saturday 9am at the rec center. Consistency builds habit and community.

2. Set expectations early — Is this a competitive run or a friendly one? Full court or half? First to 15 or 21? Communicate before people show up. Use the Fullcourt app to post details so everyone's on the same page.

3. Balance the teams — Nothing kills a run faster than blowouts. If you know the players, mix skill levels. If you don't, do a quick shootaround to assess. Fair games = people coming back.

4. Keep it moving — Winners stay, but cap it at 2–3 games so everyone gets run. Long waits = people leaving. Short games, quick rotations, maximum playing time.

5. Build the culture — Introduce people. Call out good plays. Keep the energy positive. The best organizers aren't just running games — they're building communities. That's what Fullcourt is all about.