Andrew Pace
3x3 basketball is a fast-paced variation of basketball played on a half-court with three players per team. The rules and format of 3x3 basketball were standardized by FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball), the sport's governing body, in 2007. Since then, 3x3 basketball has gained popularity worldwide and has been featured in various tournaments and competitions, including the Olympic Games. The game emphasizes speed, versatility, and agility, with a smaller court and a shorter shot clock than traditional basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players per team | 3 |
| Number of players on the court at the start of the game | 3 |
| Number of substitutes | 1 |
| Court size (width x length) | 15m x 11m |
| Court setup | Half-court with one basket |
| Ball weight | 620g |
| Ball diameter | 72.39cm |
| Shot clock duration | 12 seconds |
| Field goal points (outside the arc line or two-point zone) | 2 points |
| Field goal points (inside the arc line or one-point zone) | 1 point |
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What You'll Learn
Rules and regulations
3x3 basketball is an offshoot of traditional basketball, with some key differences in rules and regulations. The game was formalised in the 1970s and '80s, with the first 3x3 basketball tournament taking place in 1974 in Lowell, Michigan. It was later included in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
3x3 basketball is played on a half court with three players per team and one substitute. The court measures 15 metres wide and 11 metres long, with a single hoop at one end. 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 game is played for a single 10-minute period, with the first team to score 21 points winning the match. If neither team reaches 21 points within the time limit, the team with the highest score wins.
The game starts with a coin toss to determine which team gets the ball first. The team that wins the toss can choose to start the game with the ball or wait until overtime. After the toss, the game opens with a "check", where the defending team trades the ball to an offensive player outside the middle of the arc.
Each team has 12 seconds to attempt a shot once they gain possession, with the shot clock being half that of traditional basketball. If the offensive team does not 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 field goal scored from outside the arc is worth two points, while a field goal scored from inside the arc is worth one point. Free throws are worth one point each.
Substitutions are allowed during a dead ball situation, and each team is granted one 30-second timeout per game, in addition to two technical timeouts. Fouls are charged to the team rather than individual players, and there is no fouling out. However, a player can be disqualified for committing two unsportsmanlike fouls. Each team is allowed six fouls before entering the foul penalty situation, after which the opposing team receives two free throws. From the tenth team foul onwards, the opposing team also gains possession of the ball.
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Court size
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played on a half-court with one basket. The official FIBA 3x3 court size is 15 metres (49 feet) wide and 11 metres (36 feet) in length. This is slightly smaller than half of a traditional basketball court, which is typically 94 feet long. The smaller court size in 3x3 basketball promotes faster gameplay and places a greater emphasis on agility and versatility rather than endurance and tactics.
The court features a semicircular arc around the hoop with a 6.75-metre (22.2-foot) radius, dividing the court into two zones. Shots taken inside the arc are worth one point, while shots from outside the arc are worth two points. This scoring system is similar to traditional basketball, where the value of a shot depends on the distance from the hoop.
The 3x3 basketball court also includes a run-off area surrounding the playing surface, providing extra space for players to move without leaving the court. This feature is especially useful for intense and fast-paced gameplay, allowing players to focus on their skills and strategies without worrying about space constraints.
The rules of 3x3 basketball were standardised in the late 2000s, with the game gaining official recognition by FIBA in 2007. The first FIBA 3x3 tournament was held in Macau, China, during the Asian Indoor Games. Since then, 3x3 basketball has grown in popularity, with its inclusion in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and various other international competitions.
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Scoring
3x3 basketball is a fast-paced variation of basketball played on a half-court with three players per team. The rules and scoring system are slightly different from the traditional 5x5 basketball game.
The scoring system in 3x3 basketball is as follows:
- Field goals: A field goal can earn one or two points. A two-point shot is achieved by scoring from anywhere outside the arc line or from the two-point zone. A one-point shot is achieved by scoring from inside the arc or the one-point zone.
- Free throws: Free throws are worth one point.
The defensive team can also win possession of the ball via a steal, block, or defensive rebound, and possession switches between teams after every attempted or made basket.
The game starts with a coin toss, with the winning team choosing whether to start as the offensive or defensive team. Each team has 12 seconds to attempt a shot after taking possession, which is half the time allowed in regular basketball.
The primary competition for 3x3 basketball is the annual FIBA 3x3 World Tour, which offers six-figure prize money. The FIBA 3x3 World Cups for men and women are the highest tournaments for national 3x3 teams.
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History
3x3 basketball, also stylized as ƐX3, is a variation of basketball played with three players on each team, one substitute, and a half-court setup with a single basket. The rules and format of 3x3 basketball have been standardized and promoted by FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball), the governing body of basketball, which was founded in Geneva in 1932.
The history of 3x3 basketball can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s when the sport of basketball experienced a surge in popularity due to the emergence of star players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. During this time, 3x3 basketball began to take shape with its own set of rules and competitions. The first of these competitions, the Gus Macker 3on3 Basketball Tournament, was held in 1974 in Lowell, Michigan, and gradually expanded nationwide.
In the late 1980s, a Dallas businessman created a tournament known as Hoop It Up, which further contributed to the standardization and popularity of 3x3 basketball. The success of the 1992 movie "White Men Can't Jump," which featured recreational games resembling 3x3 basketball, also played a role in elevating the profile of this basketball format. Starting in the late 2000s, the rules of 3x3 basketball began to be standardized across the United States through tournament series like Gus Macker and Hoop It Up.
In 2007, FIBA officially recognized and organized 3x3 basketball tournaments, starting with the Asian Indoor Games in Macau, China. This led to the inclusion of 3x3 basketball at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. FIBA continued to develop the sport by introducing the 3x3 World Cup and the World Tour in 2012, an international league featuring teams representing cities worldwide.
The format gained further recognition when it was added to the Olympic program for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The 3x3 format was also adopted for the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Today, 3x3 basketball enjoys widespread popularity, with several professional leagues and tournaments outside the Olympics and FIBA-sanctioned events.
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Competitions
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played on a half-court with three players per team. The game was developed in the urban areas of the United States in the late 1980s and gained popularity due to its fast-paced and exciting nature. The first 3x3 basketball competition, the Gus Macker 3on3 Basketball Tournament, started in 1974 in Lowell, Michigan, and grew into a nationwide event. Since then, several professional and amateur 3x3 basketball leagues and tournaments have emerged worldwide, with the sport making its global competitive debut at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
The primary competition in 3x3 basketball is the annual FIBA 3x3 World Tour, which comprises a series of Masters and one Final tournament, offering six-figure prize money in US dollars. The FIBA 3x3 World Cups for men and women are the highest tournaments for national 3x3 teams. The qualification system for these World Cups differs from that of FIBA full-court competitions, as it is based on a country's official 3x3 ranking, which also considers individual player rankings. FIBA has also developed a digital community that acts as a repository for all FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events worldwide and offers individual world rankings for players based on points earned at these events.
In addition to FIBA-sanctioned events, there are other professional 3x3 basketball leagues such as BIG3, founded by entertainer Ice Cube in 2017. This league features teams of former NBA players and international players and uses slightly different rules and a different ball from the FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 game. Another notable professional league is the Hoop It Up tournament series, which has held large events across the United States and contributed to standardizing the sport's rules.
At the Olympic level, 3x3 basketball made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games and will return at Paris 2024. The format includes men's and women's tournaments with eight teams each, starting with pool play in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each pool advance directly to the semifinals, while the bottom two are eliminated, and the remaining four compete in a play-in round. The game format in the Olympics is the same as the standard 3x3 basketball rules, with a 10-minute maximum time limit or a race to 21 points, whichever comes first.
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Frequently asked questions
3x3 basketball is played between teams of three players, with one substitute per team.
There are no sets in 3x3 basketball. The game is played at a faster pace than traditional basketball, with a focus on speed, versatility, and agility. Each team has 12 seconds to attempt a shot after taking possession, compared to the 24 seconds allowed in regular basketball.
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court, with one basket and one backboard. The official court size is 15 metres (49 feet) wide and 11 metres (36 feet) long.
Teams can score points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal scored from outside the arc or from the two-point zone is worth two points, while a field goal scored from inside the arc or one-point zone is worth one point.
