Olympic 3×3 basketball rules explained

3×3 basketball will make its debut at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo but, as a new sport at this event, it’s worth going over the rules. 

Basketball for both the men and women is one of the premier events of any Olympic games as it’s always one of the most-watched tournaments. However, the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo will feature a new event in the same realm: 3×3 basketball.

An even that has been growing in popularity over the past couple of decades, thanks in large part to FIBA, the IOC approved the inclusion of 3×3 basketball in the Olympics back in 2017 with the event for both men’s and women’s competitions set to make its debut in Tokyo. Now, with the year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’ll make its debut at the 2021 Olympics.

With this being a relatively new sport that, frankly, doesn’t have nearly the worldwide recognition of traditional 5×5 basketball, it’s worthwhile to dive into the rules of the 3×3 event so that fans watching around the world can keep up and comprehend what they’re watching in Tokyo.

3×3 basketball rules at the 2021 Olympics: The basics

The eight teams for both men and women for this competition consist of four players, three on the floor at all times and one substitute. Rest assured, however, 3×3 basketball won’t have fans waiting on three players to run up and down the court on fast breaks. Instead, this event is played on a regulation-sized half court with the proper measurements for the free-throw line (19 feet) and a 22-foot 2-point line. Yes, 2-point line.

In this event, any shot made from inside the arc is worth one point while shots beyond the arc are with two points. Free throws are also worth one point apiece.

And what are they trying to score to? The first team to 21 points will win the game. However, there is a 10-minute time clock for games with the clock stopping in all dead ball situations along with a 12-second shot clock. If neither team gets to 21 points by the allotted time, the first team to score two points in an overtime period will win.

3×3 basketball rules at the 2021 Olympics: The finer points

Because the teams are playing in a halfcourt setting, there are some unique rules for 3×3 basketball, starting with the fact that the opening possession will be determined by a pre-game coin-flip.  Beyond that, anyone familiar with pickup games at the YMCA or LA Fitness will be familiar with the rules about new possessions after a missed field goal or free throw.

If the offensive team gets the rebound, they can immediately try to score. However, if the defensive team grabs the rebound or creates a turnover, they must either dribble or pass beyond the arc to reset the possession. In the instance of a made basket, the team that did not score will dribble from underneath the basket to outside the arc. Both feet must be beyond the arc for that to count. Possessions that begin after a dead ball will start with “checking up” at the top of the key.

More finer points of the rules that should be discussed begin with fouling. Shooting fouls are standard in that the offensive team will be awarded one shot if the infraction occurred inside the arc and two shots if it was outside. And-1 situations will result in one free throw still as well.

Moreover, teams are allowed six fouls before reaching the penalty, in which case the non-fouling team will be given two free throws on fouls 7-9. On the 10th foul and after, though, all fouls result in two free throws and possession, which is also true for technical or unsportsmanlike fouls. Players are only allowed two of the aforementioned techincal or unsportsmanlike fouls before they are disqualified from the game.

Finally, substitutions will take place at the halfcourt line (or end line for 3×3 basketball) in dead ball situations befor the ball is checked in with no referees or officials involved.

3×3 basketball rules at the 2021 Olympics: The standings and seeding

The tournament at the 2021 Olympics will consist of eight teams, as mentioned, who will participate in pool play to determine seeding for the knockout rounds.

Standings for pool play will be determined obviously based on wins and losses. However, in the event of a tie in the win-loss record, the tiebreaker will then come down to which team won the head-to-head matchup. If that somehow does not work, the most points scored on average in pool play will determine the higher seed.