Andrew Pace
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played on a half-court with a single basket, with two teams of three players each competing by attacking and defending the same hoop. The game is played for 10 minutes or until a team scores 21 points, whichever comes first. 3x3 basketball is faster-paced than traditional 5x5 basketball, with a smaller ball and a 12-second shot clock. The rules are governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), with some variations in certain leagues such as BIG3, which was founded by entertainer Ice Cube and features retired NBA players. 3x3 basketball has been featured in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and other international competitions, contributing to its growing popularity worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Court size | 15 metres (49 ft) wide and 11 metres (36 ft) in length |
| Number of players | 3 players and 1 substitute per team |
| Game duration | 10 minutes or until a team reaches 21 points |
| Ball size | 72.4 cm (28.5 inches) in diameter |
| Shot clock | 12 seconds |
| Fouls | May result in change of possession, a single free throw, two free throws, or two free throw attempts and subsequent change of possession |
| Overtime | Occurs when the score is tied at the end of regulation time; the first team to score 2 points or reach a total of 21 points wins |
| Competitions | FIBA 3x3 World Tour, Dew NBA 3X, BIG3 |
| Olympic debut | 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan |
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What You'll Learn
Rules
3x3 basketball is a variation of traditional basketball played three-a-side with one substitute on a half court setup. The game originated as a street basketball pastime in the USA in the late 1980s and has since become a professional sport with official rules sanctioned by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Here are the rules for 3x3 basketball:
Court and Equipment
The game is played on a half-court with one basket. The official FIBA court measures 15 metres wide (49 feet) and 11 metres long (36 feet). 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. There is a rectangular area under the hoop called the key, measuring 5.8m by 4.9m, and its outer edge parallel to the baseline is the free-throw line. The ball used in FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 basketball is smaller than a regular basketball, measuring 72.39cm in diameter.
Gameplay
Each team consists of three players, with one substitute who can enter the game at any time during a dead ball situation. The core gameplay is similar to 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 score points by scoring field goals/baskets or through free throws. A field goal scored from outside the arc is worth two points, and a field goal scored from inside the arc is worth one point. Free throws are worth one point each. The shot clock in 3x3 basketball is 12 seconds, and each team has one 30-second timeout per game, in addition to two TV timeouts called by officials.
Winning the Game
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 in overtime earns the victory.
Fouls
Fouls work similarly to traditional basketball, with some differences. There is no fouling out for individual players, but a player can be disqualified by committing two unsportsmanlike fouls. If a player is fouled while shooting, they may receive one or two free throws depending on whether they made the shot and their position on the court. Fouls are charged to the team, and each team is allowed six fouls before entering a foul penalty situation. At the tenth team foul, the opposing team receives two free throws and possession of the ball. Offensive fouls, if not technical, unsportsmanlike, or disqualifying, never result in free throws.
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Court size
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played on a half-court with a single hoop at one end and an end line at the other. The official court size is 15 metres (49.2 feet) wide and 11 metres (36.1 feet) long, which is slightly smaller than half of a traditional basketball court. The smaller court size allows for a faster-paced and more physically demanding game, with more opportunities for players to showcase their individual skills.
The court features a semicircular arc around the hoop with a 6.75-metre (22.2-foot) radius that divides the court into two zones. The area inside the arc is worth one point, while shots taken from outside the arc are worth two points. The three-point line in 3x3 basketball is closer to the basket than in traditional basketball.
The 3x3 basketball court is about one-third the size of a standard basketball court, which makes it ideal for playing in smaller spaces and organizing tournaments and events in urban areas where space is limited. The game originated as street basketball in the urban and semi-urban areas of the United States, and its compact court size reflects this.
The FIBA-approved court size for 3x3 basketball is a rectangular playing surface measuring 15 meters (49.21 feet) in width and 11 meters (35.76 feet) in length, with the basket positioned at the centre of one of the shorter ends. This court size is slightly different from the official dimensions, but it is still considered acceptable for official competitions.
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Gameplay
3x3 basketball is a fast-paced variation of traditional basketball, with each team comprising three players and one substitute, instead of the standard five players. The game is played on a half-court setup, with one basket, and the court measures 15 metres wide by 11 metres long. 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 rules of the game are similar to traditional basketball, including ball-handling regulations and basic violation rules such as goaltending and double dribble. The shot clock in 3x3 basketball is 12 seconds, half that of the 24-second clock in regular basketball. Teams can score points by scoring field goals 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; if neither team reaches 21 points within 10 minutes, the team with the most points wins. If overtime is required, the first team to score two points wins.
Fouls are charged to the team rather than individual players, and there is no fouling out. However, a player can be disqualified by committing two unsportsmanlike fouls. Each team is allowed six fouls before entering a 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. If a double foul occurs, no free throws are awarded to either team.
The 3x3 format has been played informally for many years, but the rules began to be standardised in the late 2000s. The game made its global competitive debut at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and featured in the senior Olympics for the first time in 2020.
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Competitions
3x3 basketball has grown in popularity since its first official event at the 2010 Youth Olympics Games, and it has since appeared at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as the FIBA 3x3 World Cups and World Tours. The sport's governing body, FIBA, has been instrumental in promoting and structuring 3x3 basketball, and it hosts the annual FIBA 3x3 World Tour, which is considered 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. Teams can qualify for a World Tour Masters by participating in designated World Tour qualifiers.
The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has also embraced 3x3 basketball, hosting a summer series of tournaments called "Dew NBA 3X" since 2016. These tournaments feature local amateur players from across the US competing in regional events for cash prizes and the chance to advance to the finals and the USA Basketball national 3x3 championship. The men's and women's NBA 3X champions then have the opportunity to represent their country internationally.
In addition to these major competitions, there are also amateur tournaments such as the Gus Macker and Hoop It Up, which is recognised as the most prolific grassroots basketball tour in the world. Spokane Hoopfest is reportedly the largest non-professional 3x3 basketball tournament, with over 6,000 teams participating. BIG3, founded in 2017 by American entertainer Ice Cube, is another notable professional 3x3 league in the United States, featuring teams of former NBA players and international players.
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History
3x3 basketball is a variation of the sport with its own unique rules. Each team consists of three players and one substitute, with three players on the court at the beginning of the game. The game is played on a half-court with a single basket. The official court measures 15 metres (49 ft) wide and 11 metres (36 ft 1.07 in) in length. The FIBA 3x3 rules supplement the regular FIBA rules, addressing situations specific to the 3x3 format.
3x3 basketball has been used in several tournaments, including the Spokane Hoopfest and the Nike 3ON3 Tournament. The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has also embraced this format, holding summer tournaments since 2016.
The history of 3x3 basketball can be traced back to 2010 when it was introduced as an official discipline at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. This sparked the creation of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour and national-team FIBA 3x3 World and Continental Cups. On June 9, 2017, 3x3 basketball was added to the Olympic Program, with its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, for both men's and women's teams.
In 2017, BIG3 was founded by entertainer Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. This league features former NBA and US college basketball stars competing under rules slightly different from the FIBA rulebook and using a ball that meets the specifications for the men's full-court game.
The FIBA 3x3 World Cup qualification system differs from that of FIBA full-court competitions, with national team entries based on their official 3x3 ranking. 3x3 basketball has become a regular fixture in international competitions, including the European Games since 2015, the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, and various FIBA-endorsed events worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
3x3 basketball is a variation of basketball played on a half-court between teams of three players. It is a fast-paced, quick-paced game that focuses on speed, versatility, and agility.
3x3 basketball is played on a court slightly larger than half a regulation basketball court. Each team consists of three players and one substitute, with gameplay focusing on speed, versatility, and agility rather than endurance and methodical tactics. The ball used in 3x3 basketball is also slightly smaller than the one used in professional men's basketball, measuring 72.4 cm (28.5 inches) in diameter.
The game is played on a court with a single basket that teams alternate attacking and defending. The winner is determined by the team with the highest score after 10 minutes or the first to reach 21 points. The game has a 12-second shot clock, and play does not stop after a basket is made, contributing to its fast pace.
3x3 basketball is governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which releases rules specifically for 3x3 basketball. All FIBA-endorsed 3x3 events are classified within a competition hierarchy, with the pinnacle being the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
Yes, 3x3 basketball made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, for both men's and women's teams.
