Kristian Ferrell
3x3 basketball is a condensed, fast-paced version of basketball played on a half-court with a single hoop at one end. The game is played between two teams of three players, with each team allowed one substitute. The aim of the game is to be the first team to score 21 points or to have the highest score after 10 minutes of play. Teams can score points by making field goals 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 or one-point zone is worth one point. 3x3 basketball is recognised by FIBA, which releases a supplement to its official basketball rules specifically for 3x3, and the sport made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 3 players in each team and 1 substitute |
| Court size | 15 metres wide x 11 metres long |
| Basket | 1 basket |
| Court division | Divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc with a 6.75-metre radius |
| Zones | One-point zone (inside the arc) and two-point zone (outside the arc) |
| Game duration | 10 minutes |
| Winner | First team to score 21 points or the team with the highest score after 10 minutes |
| Shot clock | 12 seconds |
| Points | Field goals/baskets or free throws |
| Field goal | 2 points (outside the arc) or 1 point (inside the arc) |
| Overtime | First team to score 2 points wins |
| Fouls | May result in change of possession, a single free throw, two free throws, or two free throw attempts and subsequent change in possession |
| Ball | 72.4 cm in diameter and 620g in weight |
| Ball comparison | Same size as the one used in the WNBA but smaller than the ball used in professional men's 5x5 leagues |
| Ball advantage | Better ball handling due to its smaller size and faster pace of the game |
| Competition hierarchy | FIBA 3x3 World Tour at the top, including World Tour Masters and a Final |
| Tournaments | Dew NBA 3X, Spokane Hoopfest, Gus Macker, Hoop It Up |
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What You'll Learn
Rules and scoring
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played three-a-side, with one substitute permitted per team, one backboard, and a half-court setup. The rules and scoring are standardised by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Rules
The rules of 3x3 basketball are similar to traditional basketball but with some key differences. The game is played on a half-court with one basket, and the official court measures 15 metres (49 feet) wide and 11 metres (36 feet) long. Each team consists of three players and one substitute, and there must be three players on the court for each team when the game begins. The core idea of the game is the same as regular basketball: the offensive team tries to score points by getting the ball inside the hoop from above, while the defensive team tries to stop them.
There is a 12-second shot clock, half that of traditional basketball, under which the offensive team must attempt a shot after taking possession. After a change in possession, the ball must be cleared by dribbling or passing to a teammate behind the two-point arc. There is no fouling out for individual players, but a player can be disqualified by committing two unsportsmanlike fouls. Fouls are charged to the team, and each team is allowed six fouls before entering the foul penalty situation. Starting with the tenth team foul, the opposing team will receive two free throws and possession of the ball.
Scoring
In 3x3 basketball, teams can earn points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal from outside the arc is worth two points, and a field goal from inside the arc is worth one point. Free throws are worth one point each. The first team to score 21 points wins the match. If neither team reaches 21 points within the 10-minute game time, the team with the most points wins. If the game goes to overtime, the first team to score two points wins.
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Court size
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with a single hoop at one end. The standard court size is 15 metres (49.2 or 49.21 feet) wide and 11 metres (35.76 or 36.1 feet) long, which is roughly one-third the size of a standard basketball court. The court is marked with a 3-point line that is closer to the basket than in traditional basketball. There is also a semicircular arc around the hoop with a 6.75-metre (22.2-foot) radius that divides the court into two zones: an area inside the arc, where shots are worth one point, and an area outside the arc, where shots are worth two points.
The smaller court size and the presence of only one basket make for a faster-paced and more physically demanding game, with more opportunities for players to score and showcase their individual skills. The game focuses more on agility and versatility than on endurance and tactics. The court size also makes 3x3 basketball ideal for playing in smaller spaces and for organising tournaments and events in urban areas where space is limited.
The FIBA-approved flooring for a 3x3 basketball court needs to be durable and able to withstand heavy foot traffic and rapid movement to ensure the safety of the athletes. Hardwood flooring and interlocking sports tiles are two of the most popular surfaces used for 3x3 basketball courts.
The official court size for 3x3 basketball in the American NBA and WNBA is slightly larger than the FIBA standard, measuring 15.24 metres (50 feet) wide and 14.33 metres (47 feet) long.
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Competitions
3x3 basketball has grown in popularity since its first official event at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. It has since featured in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and will be included in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The sport's governing body, FIBA, has been instrumental in promoting and structuring 3x3 basketball, with its annual FIBA 3X3 World Tour being the pinnacle of the competition network. This tour includes a series of World Tour Masters and a Final, with six-figure prize money in US dollars.
The FIBA 3x3 World Cups for men and women are the highest tournaments for national 3x3 teams. Classification to the World Cup is based on the 3x3 Federation Ranking, which takes into account the Individual World Ranking points of the top 100 players in various categories (men, women, U23 men, U23 women, U18 men, and U18 women). 3x3 basketball has also become a regular fixture in the European Games since its introduction in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2015.
In addition to the FIBA-sanctioned events, there are several professional 3x3 basketball leagues and tournaments worldwide. One notable example is BIG3, founded in 2017 by American entertainer Ice Cube. BIG3 is a professional 3x3 league in the United States featuring teams of former NBA and international players, often retired NBA stars, playing with a different set of rules and a different ball from the FIBA-sanctioned games.
At the grassroots level, amateur competitions such as the Gus Macker and Hoop It Up tournaments are held annually. Hoop It Up, founded in 1989, is recognised as the most prolific grassroots basketball tour worldwide, with millions of participants of all ages and abilities taking part in its city-based events. Spokane Hoopfest, with over 6,000 teams participating, is considered the largest non-professional 3x3 basketball tournament globally.
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History
3x3 basketball is a variation of the traditional basketball game, featuring three players in each team as opposed to five. It was first introduced at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, and has since been included in other major competitions, such as the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
The history of 3x3 basketball can be traced back to the early 2000s when it started to gain popularity as a street basketball variant. In 2007, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) began to standardise the rules and promote the game. FIBA saw 3x3 basketball as a way to promote the sport globally, engage younger players, and develop key skills. FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann believed that 3x3 basketball was an effective way to "bring youngsters to basketball" and that it would "inspire many great players in the future".
In 2010, 3x3 basketball was introduced as an official discipline at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. This marked the beginning of its inclusion in major international competitions. The following year, in 2011, FIBA launched a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour, which became the pinnacle of the 3x3 competition network. This tour included a series of World Tour Masters events and a final, with qualifying tournaments held worldwide.
The debut of 3x3 basketball at the Olympic Games took place in 2021 in Tokyo, Japan, where it was added to the Olympic Program. This debut was highly anticipated, and the event was well-received by fans and players alike. The format of 3x3 basketball, with its faster pace and dynamic gameplay, provided an exciting and engaging experience for spectators.
In recent years, 3x3 basketball has continued to grow in popularity, with the establishment of leagues such as BIG3, founded by entertainer Ice Cube and executive Jeff Kwatinetz in 2017. This league features retired NBA players competing under slightly different rules and with a different ball compared to the FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 format. The inclusion of BIG3 and other similar competitions has further contributed to the global popularity of 3x3 basketball, attracting new audiences and showcasing the skills of veteran players.
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Fouls
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played three-a-side, with one backboard and a half-court setup. The rules of the game are standardised by the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), the sport's governing body.
3x3 basketball shares many basic violation rules with traditional basketball, including fouls. However, there are some differences in how fouls are penalised.
If a foul is committed that results in the non-fouling team retaining possession (e.g. a technical or "unsportsmanlike" foul), the non-fouling team will receive the exchange outside of the arc. 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.
When a team commits its seventh, eighth and ninth team fouls, their opponents receive two free throws. For the tenth and any subsequent team fouls, the opponents will receive two free throws and gain ball possession.
The rules of 3x3 basketball depart from regular full-court basketball, and FIBA releases a supplement to its official basketball rules specifically for 3x3. The rules state that regular FIBA rules apply to all situations not specifically addressed in the FIBA 3x3 rules.
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Frequently asked questions
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played on a half-court with a single hoop at one end. Each team consists of three players and one substitute, and the game is played over a single 10-minute period.
Unlike traditional 5x5 basketball, 3x3 is played on a smaller court with only one basket. The game is faster-paced, focusing more on speed, versatility, and agility rather than endurance and methodical tactics. The rules also differ slightly, including a shorter shot clock and different scoring zones.
Teams can score points by scoring field goals or through free throws. A field goal from outside the arc or the two-point zone is worth two points, while a field goal from inside the arc or the one-point zone is worth one point.
3x3 basketball is recognised by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) and has been included in major competitions such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and FIBA 3x3 World Tour. It is also played in amateur and professional leagues worldwide.
Notable 3x3 basketball competitions include the BIG3 league, founded by entertainer Ice Cube, which features former NBA and international players. The NBA also holds a summer series of tournaments called "Dew NBA 3X". The FIBA 3x3 World Tour is the pinnacle of the FIBA-endorsed competition network.
