Did you know that the Elks Lodge Organization hosts a free throw shooting contest called the Elks National Hoop Shoot? The Hoop Shoot is over 50 years old, in partnership with The Basketball Hall of Fame and free to all participants.

Winning the Hoop Shoot gives you a chance to inscribe your name in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

You get to shoot 25 free throws and only the ones made count for your score. In the first round you shoot 10 scored shots and up to five practice shots. In the second round you get 15 scored shots. There are six age divisions: girls 8–9, 10–11 and 12–13, boys 8–9, 10–11 and 12–13. The younger boys and girls shoot 4 feet in front of the free throw line. All the other boys and girls shoot from the actual free throw line. There are five levels—local, district, state, regionals and finals. To move on to each division after the local competition, you need to win first place.

First place advances to the next level. If the first place winner is not available or ineligible, the kid who finished in second place goes. If you win in Chicago, your name is permanently inscribed in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. The Elks National Hoop Shoot is a great way to learn sportsmanship while competing. Visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot  to learn more and how to sign up for the next Hoop Shoot.