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3x3 basketball is a variation of traditional basketball that was introduced at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. It features three players per team, with one substitute, and is played on a half-court with a single hoop. The game has its own set of rules published by FIBA, including ball handling regulations, basic violation rules, and scoring. 3x3 basketball has gained popularity and has been featured in various competitions, including the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players per team | 3 |
| Number of substitutes per team | 1 |
| Court size | 15m x 11m |
| Court type | Half-court |
| Number of baskets | 1 |
| Shot clock | 12 seconds |
| Game duration | 10 minutes |
| Points to win | 21 |
| Overtime points to win | 2 |
| Ball weight | 620g |
| Ball diameter | 72.39cm |
| Foul resulting in free throw | Technical foul |
| Foul resulting in exchange outside the arc | Technical or "unsportsmanlike" foul |
| Foul resulting in no free throw | Offensive foul (unless technical, unsportsmanlike, or disqualifying) |
| Foul resulting in no free throw for either team | Double foul |
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What You'll Learn
Rules and scoring
3x3 basketball shares many similarities with traditional basketball, including ball-handling regulations and basic violation rules such as goaltending, double dribble, and three-second rules. However, there are some key differences.
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with just one basket, unlike the full-scale basketball court used in traditional basketball, which features two hoops or rings at either end. The court measures 15 metres (49 feet) in width and 11 metres (36 feet) in length. The playing area is divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, with a radius of 6.75 metres from the centre of the hoop. The area inside the arc is the one-point zone, and the area outside is the two-point zone.
Each team consists of three players and one substitute. All games must start with three players on the court for each team. Substitutions are permitted when the ball becomes dead and the game clock is stopped.
The game is played with a basketball that is the same weight as the official size 7 basketball used in FIBA's official men's 5x5 games but is slightly smaller, measuring 72.39cm in diameter compared to 74.93cm. The smaller size facilitates better ball handling to suit the faster pace of the game.
The shot clock in 3x3 basketball is 12 seconds, half of the 24 seconds allowed in regular basketball. Teams can score points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal can earn one or two points. A two-point shot is achieved by shooting and scoring a field goal from anywhere outside the arc line or from the two-point zone. Free throws are awarded due to infractions by opposition players, allowing the fouled player to take one or two unimpeded shots at the basket from beyond the free-throw line. All technical fouls result in one free throw, with possession going to the team that was entitled to possession at the time.
A FIBA-sanctioned game of 3x3 basketball is played over a single 10-minute period. The first team to score 21 points wins the match. If neither team reaches 21 points, the team with the higher score at the end of 10 minutes wins. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, overtime comes into effect, with the first team to score 2 points in overtime declared the winner.
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Court size and layout
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with a single hoop at one end. The official FIBA court size is 15 metres (49 feet) wide and 11 metres (36 feet) long. This is slightly smaller than half of a traditional basketball court. The American NBA and WNBA standard half-court distance is 15.24 metres (50 feet) wide and 14.33 metres (47 feet) long.
The 3x3 basketball court features a semicircular arc around the hoop with a 6.75-metre (22.2-foot) radius. This arc divides the court into two zones: the area inside the arc, where shots are worth one point, and the area outside the arc, where shots are worth two points. There is also a rectangular area under the hoop called the key, which measures 5.8 metres by 4.9 metres. The outer edge of the key, which runs parallel to the baseline, is called the free throw line.
The smaller court size in 3x3 basketball contributes to the faster pace and higher intensity of the game compared to traditional 5x5 basketball. The game emphasizes agility and versatility rather than endurance and tactics. The shorter court also allows for seamless transitions between offence and defence.
The foul line distance on a 3x3 basketball court is the same as that on a full-court basketball court. The distance is 15 feet from the foul line to the front of the backboard and 18 feet 10 inches from the baseline.
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Teams and players
3x3 basketball is played with three players on each team, with only one substitute player allowed on the bench. This is a key difference from traditional basketball, which features five players and allows for more substitutes.
The rules of 3x3 basketball are governed by FIBA, which releases a supplement to its official basketball rules specifically for 3x3. The current set of rules was published in August 2019 and includes some differences from the traditional game.
The game is played on a half-court with a single basket, with the court measuring 15 metres (49 feet) wide and 11 metres (36 feet) in length. The playing area is divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, with the area inside being the one-point zone and outside being the two-point zone. This arc is drawn at a radius of 6.75 metres from the centre of the hoop.
The ball used in a FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 game is also different from a regular basketball. It weighs the same at 620 grams, but is smaller in size, measuring 72.39 centimetres in diameter compared to 74.93 centimetres for a regular basketball. This smaller size facilitates better ball handling to suit the faster pace of the 3x3 game.
The core idea of the game remains the same as traditional basketball, with the offensive team trying to score points by getting the ball inside the hoop, while the defensive team tries to stop them. Teams can earn points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal from outside the arc or from the two-point zone is worth two points, while a field goal from inside the arc is worth one point. Free throws are awarded due to infractions by opposition players, allowing the fouled player to take one or two unimpeded shots at the basket from beyond the free-throw line.
In terms of player movement, once a player takes control of the ball inside the arc, they must dribble it out or pass it to a teammate outside the arc before taking a shot. The ball can be moved around the court by passing or dribbling. There is also a shot clock, which gives the offensive team a fixed time frame to attempt a shot after taking possession. In 3x3 basketball, this is just 12 seconds, compared to 24 seconds in the traditional game.
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Fouls and free throws
It is important to note that offensive fouls, if not technical, unsportsmanlike, or disqualifying, never result in free throws, regardless of the number of team fouls. In the case of a double foul, no free throws are awarded to either team, regardless of the team foul count or whether the double fouls were unsportsmanlike.
The playing area of a 3x3 basketball court is divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, drawn at a radius of 6.75 meters from the centre of the hoop. The area inside the arc is called the one-point zone, and the area outside is called the two-point zone. Once a player takes control of the ball inside the arc, they must dribble it out or pass it to a teammate outside the arc before taking a shot.
Teams can earn points in two ways: scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal can earn two points or one point. A two-point shot involves shooting and scoring a field goal from anywhere outside the arc line or from the two-point zone.
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Competitions and endorsements
FIBA has also been instrumental in getting 3x3 basketball recognised as an Olympic sport, with its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics, and it was also featured in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. This endorsement by FIBA has helped elevate the profile of 3x3 basketball and attract more interest and participation.
In addition to the FIBA-endorsed competitions, there are other independent tournaments that utilise the 3x3 format. One such example is the Nike 3ON3 Tournament, organised by Nike Basketball, which has gained popularity. The Spokane Hoopfest tournament is another competition that has embraced the 3x3 format.
At a regional level, countries like Australia are witnessing the growth of 3x3 basketball. The Champions League Basketball (CLB) 3x3 competition is a leading example, endorsed by FIBA, and it caters to various skill levels, including an elite pathway. The CLB 3x3 has received praise for its fast-paced and exciting format, attracting players and spectators alike. The inclusion of a wheelchair division further showcases the accessibility and inclusivity of 3x3 basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Each team has three players and one substitute.
A 3x3 basketball court is half the size of a traditional basketball court, measuring 15m wide by 11m long, with one basket.
Teams can earn points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal can earn two points if shot from outside the arc or one point if shot from inside the arc.
A 3x3 basketball game is played over a single 10-minute period. The first team to score 21 points wins. If neither team reaches 21 points, the team with more points at the end of 10 minutes wins.
Aside from the number of players and court size, 3x3 basketball has a shorter shot clock (12 seconds instead of 24 seconds) and a different scoring system. The ball used in 3x3 basketball is also slightly smaller than a regular basketball.
