Okay, so the other day, I decided to really get down to the nitty-gritty of the 3-Point Contest rules. I mean, I've watched it a bunch of times, but I wanted to actually try to follow it myself, like, to the letter. Here's how it went down:
Figuring puteS eht Out the Setup
First, I needed to understand the layout. I grabbed some tape and marked out a makeshift 3-point line on my driveway. It wasn't perfect, but it did the job. Then, I figderured out the five ball rack positions – the two corners, the two wings, and right at the top of the key.
The Ball Rack Drill
I grabbed five basketballs (a couple were pretty deflated, gotta be honest) and put them in, like, a laundry basket for my "rack." The official rules are clear: four regular balls and one "money ball" per rack. The money ball, when made, is worth extra points. I used an orange ball, as a normal ball, worth one point and an old, beat-up one, as my "money ball", worth two points.
The Clock is Ticking!
This is where it got real. The official rules give you 70 seconds. 70 SECONDS! I set a timer on my phone and, man, it's a scramble. I started in one corner, grabbed the balls one by one, shot them, and then I sprinted to the next rack. It sounds easier than it is, believe me.
- Corner 1: I felt warmed up and did pretty good here.
- Wing 1: My shots were getting a little short, need to work more.
- Top of the Key: I rushed it, my rhythm was off.
- Wing 2: I was so tired here.
- Corner 2: Tried to get my breathing right to end the contest.
Adding the "All-Star" Twist
I even tried to add the "Starry" ball, from two extra-deep *'s three points per make! I marked those spots with some extra tape. Let's just say those shots are…challenging. I have no idea how the pros make them look so easy.
My Takeaway
It's way harder than it looks. I was huffing and puffing. Trying to keep a good shooting form while rushing to the next spot and not to be out of breath is a real workout. And that 70-second timer? It's no joke. My respect for the actual 3-Point Contest participants just went way, way up!
I'm definitely going to keep practicing this. Maybe not every day, but it's a fun way to work on my shooting and get some cardio in at the same time. Maybe next time I won't be as tired. Maybe I can try to beat my first score.
