How To

How to Play Three-on-Three Half-Court Basketball

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(6 Ratings)

Just as five-on-five basketball is best played on a full court, three-on-three hoops is made for a half court.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Athletic Socks
  • Basketball Uniforms
  • Basketball Hoops
  • Basketball Shoes
  • Basketballs
  • Basketball Videos
  • Basketballs
  1. Step 1

    Pick a scoring system for your game. Most recreational games award one point for normal shots made and two points for shots made beyond the three-point arc. Feel free to follow conventional scoring methods as well.

  2. Step 2

    Set a winning score. Hoop games usually end at 11 points, scoring by ones. Also common are 7-, 15-, and 21-point games. Set a high winning score if you're scoring the game conventionally.

  3. Step 3

    Decide on possession after scores. Winner's outs (or "make it and take it") gives the ball back to your team after you score. Loser's outs gives the ball to your opponents after you score.

  4. Step 4

    Determine a clearing point: a spot where each team must take the ball after rebounding an opponent's missed shot. This establishes continuity by giving both teams a chance to set up for the next play. The three-point line is almost always used as a clearing point.

  5. Step 5

    Start the game once you've finished arguing over which team gets the ball first.

  6. Step 6

    Call your own fouls as they occur. Decide between shooting free throws or awarding possession to the player who has been fouled and stick to the decision.

  7. Step 7

    Run it back. Rematches give the losing team a chance at redemption, while providing the winners with opportunities to gloat.

Tips & Warnings
  • The addition of a third player to each team comes increases the complexity of the game. Double-teaming and trapping defenses are now possible. Offensively, players now have options when passing the basketball.
  • Set back screens or picks to free up a player on offense. (See Related eHows.) Communicate well with teammates on defense to avoid being picked.

Comments  

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Make sure that you move well without the ball in three on three rather than concentrating on posting up. Post ups are much easier to defend with three defenders.

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