FIBA-Style 3x3: Street Rules, School Edition

Half-court 3x3 games using the core rules of the Olympic format, adapted for time and score. It works quick transitions between offense and defense and compares the format with 5v5 basketball.

How to play

1. Demonstrate the key rules: inside the arc is worth 1 and beyond the arc 2; after a defensive rebound or steal, the ball must be "cleared" behind the arc; after a made basket, the other team restarts from directly under the hoop and must get the ball outside the arc; after a dead ball, the ball is checked with the defender at the top (5 min).
2. Five-minute trial games with pauses to fix clearing and checking (7 min).
3. Games to 11 points or seven minutes; the sub counts the twelve-second shot clock out loud, and subs happen behind the end line opposite the basket with a hand touch (14 min).
4. Group comparison: what changes from 5v5, and why is 3x3 faster? (4 min).

Rules

• Teams of four: three on court and one rotating sub.
• Man-to-man defense with no illegal contact; fouls are called by the teacher or an injured student.
• If the ball isn't cleared after a defensive rebound, the basket doesn't count.
• Respect the opposing sub's count without arguing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: their team plays with a no-steal-on-the-dribble rule, and a basket on a lowered hoop counts double.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the sub shows the seconds with raised fingers as well as counting out loud.
• Less experienced students: start as the counting sub with frequent changes.

Learning goals

• Know and apply the core 3x3 rules.
• Move quickly from defense to offense.
• Compare 3x3 with 5v5 basketball.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 3
• basketball hoops: 3
• pinnies: 18

Teacher tip

3x3 has been an Olympic sport since Tokyo 2020, so connect it to what students see on TV. The usual mistake is attacking straight off a defensive rebound without clearing, so call it every time early on.

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