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3x3 basketball is an exciting, fast-paced game inspired by street basketball and various forms of streetball played globally. It is a condensed version of traditional full-court basketball, with three players on each team instead of five. The game is played on a half-court with one basket, and the official court measures 15 metres wide and 11 metres long. The first team to score 21 points wins, and if neither team reaches 21 points within 10 minutes, the team with the highest score wins. 3x3 basketball has gained immense popularity, making its global competitive debut at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and later at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players on each team | 3 |
| Number of substitutes allowed | 1 |
| Court size | 15m x 11m |
| Ball size | 72.39cm-72.4cm in diameter |
| Ball weight | 620g |
| Shot clock | 12 seconds |
| Game duration | 10 minutes |
| Winner criteria | First team to score 21 points or the team with the highest score at the end of 10 minutes |
| Foul rules | Technical or "unsportsmanlike" fouls result in the non-fouling team receiving the exchange outside of the arc. Offensive fouls, if not technical, unsportsmanlike, or disqualifying, never result in free throws. |
| Origin | Inspired by various forms of streetball played globally |
| Olympic debut | 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan |
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What You'll Learn
Rules and gameplay
3x3 basketball is a condensed version of traditional basketball, with three players on each team instead of five. Each team is allowed one substitute, who can enter the game during a dead ball situation. The game is played on a half-court, with a single hoop at one end and an end line at the other. The court measures 15 metres wide by 11 metres in length.
The playing area is divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc, drawn at 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. A rectangular area under the hoop, measuring 5.8 metres by 4.9 metres, is called the key, and its outer edge parallel to the baseline is the free-throw line.
The game is played with a smaller ball than traditional basketball, which is 72.39cm in diameter and weighs 620g. The smaller ball size facilitates 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 only 12 seconds to attempt a shot after taking possession, compared to 24 seconds in the full-court game.
Teams can score points by shooting 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. In the case of a foul, the number of free throws and whether possession changes hands depends on the type of foul committed. For example, a second unsportsmanlike foul results in two free throws and possession, while an offensive foul that is not technical, unsportsmanlike, or disqualifying does not result in any free throws.
A FIBA-sanctioned game of 3x3 basketball is played over a single 10-minute period. The first team to score 21 points wins, and if neither team reaches this threshold, 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 being declared the winner.
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History
3x3 basketball is an offshoot of traditional basketball, sharing a lot with the original variant, including ball-handling regulations and basic violation rules. However, it has some key structural differences. Unlike the 5x5 game, which is played on a full-scale basketball court with two hoops or rings at either end, 3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with just 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 called the one-point zone and the area outside the two-point zone.
The game was introduced as an official discipline for the first time in 2010 at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. It has since benefited from the launch 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 Tokyo hosting the first-ever 3x3 game in Olympic history on July 24, 2021. It made its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, for both men and women.
The 3x3 basketball variation has also been used in several tournaments like the Spokane Hoopfest and the Nike 3ON3 Tournament. The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has also embraced 3x3, holding a summer series of tournaments known as "Dew NBA 3X" since 2016. These tournaments include live music performances, 3-point shooting contests for fans, an NBA 2K eSports competition, and appearances from current NBA players.
In 2017, entertainer Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz founded BIG3, a 3x3 basketball league played mostly by retired NBA players using slightly different rules and a different ball from the FIBA-sanctioned game. The FIBA 3x3 World Cup also has an unusual qualifying system based on national rankings that considers individual player rankings.
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Competitions and tournaments
3x3 basketball is considered the number one urban team sport in the world. It was first introduced at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and has since grown in popularity, with appearances at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as the FIBA 3x3 World Cups and World Tours. The rules are simple and easy to follow, making the game fast-paced and exciting.
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour is the pinnacle of the FIBA-endorsed competition hierarchy. This tour includes a series of World Tour Masters events and one final. Teams can qualify for a World Tour Masters by participating in any of the designated World Tour qualifiers.
The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has also embraced 3x3 basketball. Since 2016, the NBA has hosted the "Dew NBA 3X" summer tournament series, where local amateur players from across the US compete in regional events for cash prizes and a spot in the finals. The NBA 3X champions then advance to the USA Basketball national 3x3 championship, where they have the chance to represent their country internationally.
In 2017, entertainer Ice Cube and sports executive Jeff Kwatinetz founded BIG3, a 3x3 basketball league primarily featuring retired NBA players. BIG3 games are played with slightly different rules and a different ball from those used in FIBA-sanctioned games.
Hoop It Up, founded in 1989, is another popular 3x3 basketball tour. Recognized as the most prolific grassroots basketball tour in the world, Hoop It Up has city-based events for players of all ages and abilities.
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Differences from traditional basketball
3x3 basketball, a condensed version of the traditional basketball game, was established as a professional sport in the early 21st century. It is played on a half-court with three players and one substitute per team, instead of five players and a full-scale court in traditional basketball. The game is played with a single hoop at one end and an end line at the other, with the court divided into two parts by a semi-circular arc. 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 slightly different from those of traditional basketball. For instance, the shot clock in 3x3 basketball is just 12 seconds, half of the 24 seconds allowed in regular basketball. The game is played for a single 10-minute period, and the first team to score 21 points wins. If neither team reaches 21 points, the team with the higher score at the end of 10 minutes wins. If the game goes to overtime, the first team to score 2 points wins.
The ball used in 3x3 basketball is also different. While it is the same weight as the official size 7 basketball used in FIBA's men's 5x5 games, it is slightly smaller in diameter (72.39cm or 72.4cm, compared to 74.93cm). This smaller size makes it easier to handle and suits the faster pace of the game.
The North American National Basketball Association (NBA) has embraced 3x3 basketball, holding summer tournaments since 2016. 3x3 basketball also made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and was included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
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Court size and equipment
3x3 basketball is a condensed version of traditional basketball, played on a smaller court with half the number of players. The court measures 11 metres in length and 15 metres in width, which is slightly smaller than half of a traditional basketball court. The game is played with a single basket, with teams alternating between attacking and defending. The official FIBA 3x3 rules state that a regular FIBA court can be used, with the half-court distance measuring 14 metres. However, the rules also specify that half of a standard FIBA full court is acceptable for official competitions.
The court features a semicircular arc around the hoop with a 6.75-metre radius, dividing the court into two zones. The area inside the arc is called the one-point zone, where shots are worth one point. The area outside the arc is the two-point zone, where shots are worth two points. There is a rectangular area under the hoop called the key (5.8m x 4.9m), and its outer edge parallel to the baseline is the free throw line.
The smaller court size and shorter shot clock of just 12 seconds contribute to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of 3x3 basketball. This format emphasises speed, agility, and versatility rather than the endurance and tactics of traditional 5x5 basketball. The ball used in 3x3 basketball is also slightly smaller than the standard basketball, measuring 72.39-72.4 cm in diameter, to facilitate better ball handling and encourage a quicker game pace.
The game is played with three players on each team and only one substitute allowed. 3x3 basketball has gained widespread popularity, from its origins in street basketball to its inclusion in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and various competitions such as the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and BIG3 league. The rules and equipment specifications may vary slightly in different competitions, but the fundamental aspects of the court size and equipment in 3x3 basketball remain consistent.
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Frequently asked questions
3x3 basketball made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, for both men and women.
A 3x3 basketball game is played over just a single 10-minute period.
Each team consists of three players and one substitute.
The court is 15 metres wide and 11 metres long, with a single hoop at one end.
