How to Execute a 3-on-3 Basketball Offense With High Elbow

Contributor

By Kerry Winans
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (0 Ratings)

3-on-3 Basketball is a great game for improving your skills during the off-season. This article focuses on an offense that can be effective in 3-on-3 games—it is called "High Elbow."

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

3 Players
Basketball
Basketball Hoop
Court Markings

How to Get Into Position

Step 1

Assign positions for the "High Elbow" offensive set. Ideally, each player should be able to play multiple positions to take advantage of matchup advantages.

PG= Point Guard
W= Wing
P= Post
Step 2

PG starts with ball at top of key. In most 3-on-3 tournaments, the ball must be passed into play to start the offense.
Step 3

W is at the free throw line extended—approximately where the extended line would meet the three-point line. W chooses to start at the right wing or the left wing.
Step 4

P sets up at the high elbow on the same side as W. The high elbow is the point where the lane line intersects with the free throw line.

How to Execute Option 1 (Pass to High Elbow)

Step 1

Offense starts with PG passing to P.
Step 2

P catches the pass and pivots into triple threat postion facing the basket.
Step 3

Upon P catching the pass, W fakes toward PG and breaks toward the basket for a backdoor pass from P. If W does not receive the pass, he/she cuts through the lane to the opposite wing.
Step 4

After making the initial pass to P, PG takes a couple of steps away from the ball acting as if he/she is out of the play. After W clears through the lane, PG cuts quickly off the outside shoulder of P and looks to get a hand-off from P. If the hand-off occurs, PG dribbles to the basket for a lay-up. If the hand-off does not occur, PG goes to the block and then out to the ball-side corner.
Step 5

If P still has the ball at this point, he/she looks to drive to the basket to score or to pass to an open teammate for a shot.

How to Execute Option 2 (Pass to Wing)

Step 1

Offense starts with PG passing to W.
Step 2

PG fakes away from the ball and quickly cuts towards P.
Step 3

P sets a screen for PG.
Step 4

PG runs off the screen and looks for a pass from W. If PG is open, W throws a pass and PG goes in for the lay-up. If pass is not open, PG cuts through the lane to the other side of the court.
Step 5

P goes out to set a screen for W at the free throw line extended. After setting the screen, P rolls back toward the block for a possible pass from W.
Step 6

W takes the screen and drives toward the elbow and into the lane. W reads the defense and makes the best choice between an open drive to the basket, a pass to the rolling P, or a pass to PG who could take an outside shot.