As with starting anything beginning basketball means there is a learning curve. From rules to basic skills, techniques to game plays, it can all feel like an information overload to children playing on a court with 9 other kids.

Commencing in 2020 Diamond Valley Basketball Association will be launching a 3 on 3 program. Running on Wednesday afternoons this program aims to break down the game and teach players the skills to succeed in a fast-paced environment. 3x3 helps give kids the opportunity to play the game with much less structure than a typical 5x5 game whilst learning specific skills in fun and engaging ways. The fun and fast-paced game encourages creative thinking and exposes players to all skills, positions and components of the game.

Benefits that 3x3 games have for young players include:

 

Players have the ball more

Put simply, there are 2 fewer players on a 3x3 basketball team than a 5x5 team (obviously), so players have the ball in their hands more often. This is clearly a great thing for development as there is more opportunity for each player to get the ball in their hands and practice the fundamentals. This naturally means more opportunity to learn how to make the quick decisions needed in bigger 5x5 games. 

 

More space

3 x 3 gives players more room to operate and practice their skills. More space allows young players to do more and try some more things that, as they improve, they can then take to the 5x5 game. When the game gets underway finding the open man or an opening to drive to the basket is much easier with less bodies on the court. 3x3 also removes the need for specific positions, giving kids less technical stuff to learn while they’re still mastering basic skills and game knowledge.

 

Learn basic basketball movements

In 3x3 basketball games there are no real positions, so every player must react to what’s going on in the game. This helps kids develop skills in defence, offense, spacing and how to move with the ball without relying solely on drills to teach them. When there are only six (3 on 3) players on the court, players are more inclined to run the pick-and-roll, screen away, and screen the ball without a coach even telling them to do so, because there are fewer options out there. After a while, they will start to figure things out for themselves which is exactly what you want the players to do. After all, the game really is the best teacher!

 

Ultimately there is no better way to develop young players than with games like 3 on 3. There are more touches, more shots, and more opportunities to make in-game decisions in both offense and defence. For younger players this will provide the perfect opportunity to not only build confidence but try out all those new skills in game situations.

 

3 X 3 PROGRAM REGISTRATION:

Our 3 on 3 program will be commencing in Week 5 of Term 1 of 2020.

Ages: Divided into groups of 8-10, 11-12, 13-14

Dates: March 4^th – 25^th

Time: 5pm – 6:00pm

Where: Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre

Cost: $66

To register: https://membership.sportstg.com/regoform.cgi?formID=91975