An Overview of FIBA 3×3
3×3 is a basketball variant with a unique format. The game entails four players per side, out of which three players from each side are on the court pitted against one another in a half-court setup with one backboard.
The format idea is the brainchild of FIBA (International Basketball Federation), basketball’s governing body, which organises and promotes the sport. FIBA 3×3 made its debut in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games and since then has been part of major sports events like the Olympics and European Games since 2015. FIBA 3×3 was made an official Olympic sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Interestingly, FIBA 3×3 was also a part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with gold going to England in the men’s division and Canada in the women’s division.
How To Play FIBA 3×3
As suggested earlier, FIBA 3×3 has a unique but simple format and is quite different from its full-court counterpart. The sport can be played anywhere, indoors or outdoors. The sport’s rules are also quite simple and devised to make 3×3 games quick, easy, and exciting. These aspects have made 3×3 a globally popular basketball variant.
You just need a half-court, one backboard or hoop, six players on the court, and two players as substitutes. The duration of each game is 10 minutes, with a 12-second shot clock. There is no break after a quarter or halftime, nor is there any break after scoring a point. The field goal is worth 1 or 2 points, unlike basketball, where a field goal is worth 2 or 3 points. Moreover, the first to win 21 points is the winner.
The central idea behind 3×3 was to promote basketball throughout the world. The game format has drawn many young players to basketball and offers new players an opportunity to progress from the local to national and eventually international circuits. Individuals performing well in 3×3 competitions go on to play in professional tours in some of the most esteemed multi-sport events like the Olympics and Commonwealth.
FIBA 3×3 Major events
The International Basketball Federation organises a myriad of 3×3 basketball events. We have discussed two of the most prominent events here:
FIBA 3×3 World Cup Championship
The FIBA 3×3 World cup is the sport’s primary tournament organised for national teams. This competition comprises a sequence of Master playoffs and a Final tournament and is regarded as the highest tournament for men’s and women’s national 3×3 teams.
The first FIBA 3×3 world championship took place in 2013 in Athens, Greece, while the latest FIBA World cup occurred between 21 and 26 June 2022 in Antwerp, Belgium, with Serbia leading the men’s and France leading the charts in the women’s division.
The event is played among the strongest performers who are selected by the respective national federations. The players must have the nationality of the country they are representing and be registered on play.fiba3x3.com in order to be considered for the line-up.
FIBA 3×3 World Tour
The FIBA 3×3 World Tour is another much-esteemed event of 3×3, which was inaugurated in 2012. Men’s 3×3 teams representing different cities from the world take part in this tournament. The FIBA 3×3 World Tour 2022 marks the 11th edition of the tournament, which comprises a series of 12 events.
The tournament kicked off on 14th May in Utsunomiya and is due to culminate on December 9-10 in Abu Dhabi, while the next leg of the event is due to kick off on 19th August at Lausanne Switzerland.
Who plays in the FIBA 3×3?
Players must fulfil a certain set of criteria to participate in formal FIBA 3×3 events, which are otherwise quite flexible and easy to meet. To qualify, they must meet the following conditions:
Be a legal national of the country they will represent.
Present a passport of the country they will represent.
They must not have played for basketball’s national team and in any official FIBA 3×3 competitions for another country.
Can NBA players play FIBA 3×3?
NBA players can participate in FIBA 3×3 official competitions, including the Olympic tournament and Common Wealth Games. However, in order to qualify for participation, the NBA players must comply with the game’s eligibility rules.
Where is the FIBA 3×3?
The FIBA 3×3 headquarters are based in Mies, Switzerland. A dedicated business entity manages the sport from the House of Basketball, based in Mies.
Why is the 3×3 ball smaller?
The 3×3 ball is smaller than regular basketball, with a circumference of 28.5 inches, compared to the regular ball, which has a circumference of 29.5 inches. The size of the 3×3 ball has been kept smaller to facilitate better ball handling, which is an important aspect of street-style sports.
Why is basketball 3×3 at the Olympics?
3×3 is regarded as an effective way to develop basketball and increase its popularity in other parts of the world, where basketball is not played actively. When the IOC and FIBA introduced the sport in the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010, it led to an increase in its popularity worldwide as a spectator sport.
The easy and quick format of the game has drawn many youngsters to the game through social media engagement. Thus, it has been made a part of the Olympics with the hope that inclusion will increase the sport’s global popularity.
What countries are in the FIBA 3×3?
The countries in FIBA 3×3 include Serbia, Lithuania, France, Belgium, Netherlands, US, Poland, Mongolia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Brazil, China, Egypt, and Japan.
How many teams are in the FIBA 3×3 world cup?
A total of 20 teams participated in the FIBA 3×3 World cup, 2022. In comparison, a total of 14 teams are participating in the FIBA 3×3 World tour, including Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Antwerp, Belgrade, UB, San Juan, and Lausanne, among others.
What Is FIBA?
FIBA stands for the International Basketball Federation, which is the governing body for basketball at the international level. FIBA is responsible for organizing and overseeing a wide range of basketball tournaments and events around the world, including the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, and the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.
While FIBA does not have any direct involvement in FIBA betting, it does have rules and regulations in place to ensure that basketball is played fairly and safely at all levels of the sport. These rules cover everything from the size and weight of the ball, to the dimensions of the court, to the FIBA 3×3 rules, which govern the popular three-on-three version of the game.
FIBA plays a critical role in the development and promotion of basketball around the world, and is dedicated to ensuring that the sport is played at the highest levels of excellence and sportsmanship.
What Is 3×3?
3×3 is a variation of basketball that is played with three players on each team, instead of the traditional five. The game is played on a half-court, with a single basket, and typically lasts for 10 minutes or until one team reaches 21 points.
While basketball 3×3 betting is not as popular as traditional basketball betting, it is still possible to place bets on basketball 3×3 games through some sportsbooks and betting platforms. As with any form of sports betting, it is important to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the game, including the FIBA 3×3 rules, in order to make informed and successful bets.
Some of the key differences between traditional basketball and 3×3 basketball include the smaller court size, the shorter game duration, and the different rules governing possession and scoring. By understanding these differences, and by staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the sport, bettors can increase their chances of success when placing bets on basketball 3×3 games.
