3on3

Three-on-three, or 3on3, is a basketball format in which two teams of three players compete on a half-court with a single basket. The format emphasizes speed, spacing, ball-handling, and quick decision-making, and it is played both in urban streetball settings and in formal competitions.

Internationally, 3on3 is governed by FIBA under the 3x3 brand. Since the 2010s, FIBA has organized a professional 3x3 circuit known as the 3x3 World Tour and a national-team World Cup, and 3x3 basketball was added to the Olympic program, debuting at Tokyo 2020.

Basic rules include three players per side, with one substitute per team. Play starts from the half-court; after a score, the ball is taken back beyond the 3x3 line to resume. A field goal inside the arc is worth two points, and a shot beyond the arc is worth three. A 12-second shot clock governs possession, and games typically end when a team reaches 21 points or when the allotted time expires, with a win-by-two rule. Fouls can award free throws or possession depending on circumstance, and team fouls lead to penalties.

Originated as a streetball format, 3on3 has grown into a global competitive discipline, reflecting a faster, more open style of play compared to five-on-five basketball. It emphasizes individual and team versatility, with players required to perform both scoring and defensive duties in a compact space.

Major competitions include the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and World Cup, national leagues, and youth tournaments; the format is also popular in school and community programs due to its smaller team size and shorter game times.