Helena Frye
3x3 basketball is a fast-paced, high-octane version of the traditional basketball format. It made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games, and will feature for the second time at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The game is played on a half-court with three players on each team, with one substitute allowed for each side. The rules are similar to traditional basketball, with some key differences, including a smaller ball, a shorter shot clock, and a unique scoring system. The first team to score 21 points wins, or the team with the highest score after 10 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 3 per team, with 1 substitute |
| Court size | Half court (11m x 15m) |
| Number of baskets | 1 |
| Ball size | 72.39cm diameter, 620g weight |
| Shot clock | 12 seconds |
| Game length | 10 minutes |
| Target score | 21 points |
| Overtime rules | First team to score 2 points |
| Foul rules | No fouling out for individuals, 6 fouls allowed per team before penalty situation |
| Scoring | Field goals from outside the arc: 2 points; field goals from inside the arc: 1 point; free throws: 1 point |
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What You'll Learn
Rules and scoring
3x3 basketball is a variation of traditional basketball, with three players on each team instead of five. Each team is allowed one substitute on the bench, who can enter the game during a dead ball situation. The game is played on a half-court, measuring 11m by 15m, with a single hoop at one end and an end line at the other. The playing area is divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, with the area inside the arc being the one-point zone and the area outside being the two-point zone.
The ball used in 3x3 basketball is the same weight as a regular basketball but slightly smaller, facilitating better ball handling to suit the faster pace of the game. The shot clock is also shorter than in traditional basketball, with the offensive team having just 12 seconds to attempt a shot after taking possession. If they fail to take a shot before the shot clock expires, it results in a turnover.
Teams can score points by shooting field goals or through free throws. A two-point field goal is scored from outside the arc, while a one-point field goal is scored from inside the arc. Free throws are worth one point each. The first team to score 21 points wins. If neither team reaches 21 points within 10 minutes, the team with the most points wins. If overtime is necessary, the first team to score two points is declared the winner.
Fouls work similarly to traditional basketball, with a few key differences. There is no fouling out for individual players, but a player can be disqualified for committing two unsportsmanlike fouls. Fouls are charged to the team, with each team allowed a total of six fouls before entering the foul penalty situation. At the tenth team foul, the opposing team receives two free throws and possession of the ball.
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Court size
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with a single hoop at one end and an end line on the other. The court measures 11 metres (36 feet) long and 15 metres (49 feet) wide, which is about half the size of a traditional basketball court. The smaller court size contributes to the faster pace and greater emphasis on agility and versatility in 3x3 basketball compared to the traditional 5x5 game.
Under the hoop, there is a rectangular area called the "key", measuring 5.8 metres by 4.9 metres. The outer edge of the key, parallel to the baseline, is the free-throw line. The court also features a semicircular arc around the hoop with a 6.75-metre (22.1-foot) radius, which divides the court into two zones. This arc is where players can attempt a two-point shot, similar to the three-point line in traditional basketball.
The reduced court size means that players must quickly transition between offence and defence, further adding to the fast-paced nature of the game. The shorter dimensions also allow for seamless transitions and encourage continuous play.
The 3x3 basketball court size is standardised for both the Olympics and other FIBA-sanctioned events, ensuring consistency across different competitions.
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Number of players
3x3 basketball is played with three players on the court for each team, as the name suggests. Each roster consists of four players, with three players on the court and one substitute allowed on the bench. This substitute can be "tagged in" during a stoppage of play, allowing for other players to rest.
The game is played on a half-court, with a single hoop at one end and an end line at the other. The playing area is divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, drawn at a radius of 6.75m from the centre of the hoop. The area inside the arc is called the one-point zone, and the area outside is the two-point zone.
The rules of 3x3 basketball are similar to traditional basketball, including ball-handling regulations and basic violation rules such as goaltending and double dribble. However, there are some key differences. The game is played on a smaller court with only one basket, and the ball used is slightly smaller than a regular basketball. The shot clock in 3x3 basketball is also shorter, at just 12 seconds.
The first Olympic appearance of 3x3 basketball was at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and it will return at the 2024 Paris Games.
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History
3x3 basketball was developed in the late 1980s in the urban areas of the United States as a creative variation of traditional full-court basketball. The condensed format was often played in backyards and parks, eventually evolving into a cultural phenomenon. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in 2017 that 3x3 basketball would be included in the Olympic basketball programme, starting with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were held in 2021. This was the first time 3x3 basketball was added to the Olympic programme. The U.S. men's team failed to qualify, while the women's team of Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, Stefanie Dolson, and Jackie Young won the first-ever Olympic women's 3x3 title. Latvia took gold in the men's competition, with Russia winning silver and Serbia earning bronze.
The sport made its second appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the games taking place from July 30 to August 5 at the Place de la Concorde. The U.S. men's team, including Canyon Barry, Dylan Travis, Kareem Maddox, and Jimmer Fredette, captured silver at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, losing to Serbia in the final. The U.S. women's team had not yet announced their roster but were aiming to capture another gold medal. The Netherlands and Germany won gold medals in 3x3 basketball in Paris in the men's and women's competitions, respectively.
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Fouls
3x3 basketball is played on a half court with a single hoop at one end and an end line at the other. The game is played three-a-side, with each team consisting of three players and one substitute. The rules of 3x3 basketball observe classic basketball foul rules, but there are no fouling outs for individual players. Any foul gets charged to the team. Once a team accrues six fouls, the opposing team will go into the bonus and shoot two free throws, regardless of possession, for each foul. Starting with the 10th team foul, the opposing team will also get possession of the ball in addition to the two free throws. Players can be ejected if they earn two unsportsmanlike fouls. 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.
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Frequently asked questions
3x3 basketball is a variation of traditional basketball, played on a half-court with three players per team. The game has a 12-second shot clock, and the first team to score 21 points wins. If neither team reaches 21 points within 10 minutes, the team with the most points wins. Points can be earned through field goals and free throws.
Unlike traditional 5x5 basketball, which is played on a full-scale court with two hoops, 3x3 basketball is played on a half court with a single hoop. The basketball used in 3x3 games is slightly smaller than the one used in traditional basketball, although it weighs the same. Fouls are charged to the team rather than the individual player, and there is no fouling out for individual players.
3x3 basketball made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, although it had previously featured at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010. It returned for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
