3-on-3 basketball

From the playground to the the podium - it's reshaping our game!

FIBA states that with more than 250 million players worldwide and among the most played recreational sports in the world., 3-on-3 will help the growth of the game of basketball. Combine these initiatives with FIBA submitting an application for 3-on-3 to become an Olympic sport, and the once playground-only game is now becoming a world phenomenom. 

In addition to its high performance programming, FIBA, Canada Basketball and OBA have identifiued the significant impact the 3-on-3 game can have on skill development for active youth. There are tramendous benefits to having young kids learn the game through 3-on-3 before being introduced to a full court, five-on-five competition.

BENEFIT 1: MORE TOUCHES

In 5-on-5 games, one or two players and go entire game rarely touching the ball. This especially happens in the youth basketball where you have one or two dominant players who are by far best ball handlers on the team. The team tends to get the ball into those players' hands nad those players tend to take the ball to the basket. The problem with this is that other players are not developing their skills when thet don't get to touch the ball and the team isn't developing as a whole.

in 3-on-3 it is really difficult for one or two players to monopolize the ball and still play well. The third player gets involved almost by necessity. All players get to handle the ball and handle it a lot. This allows all players to develop their skills in live game play.

BENEFIT 2: MORE SPACING

3-on-3 games loosen everything up and give young players more room to operate. This allows them to practice their skills without overcrowding. Once the basic basketball skills of dribbling, passing, rebounding, shot selection etc are mastered, then they can advance to learn to beat double teams and make timely passes.  

BENEFIT 3: REMOVE PRESSES AND ZONE DEFENCES

3-on-3 game removes the issue of presses and zone defence. They are strictly person-to-person. This again allows young players to learn and master basics before moving on to more complex game play.


From Canada Basketball website:
The formation and focus on 3x3 is an organizational and Canada Basketball priority. Ontario Basketball believes that 3x3 basketball will play a vital role in the development and growth of the sport in this province. 3x3 is gaining steam worldwide with the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and World Championships.

Following a successful introduction at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the goal for FIBA is for 3x3 to become a self-sustainable discipline and enter the Olympic Games in 2016; if not by 2020.