What is 3 on 3 offense in basketball?
3 on 3 offense in basketball feature actions designed for three players on the court, typically featuring various types of cuts, screens, or passes, ultimately to create high percentage scoring opportunities near the basket or around the perimeter areas.
How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page
In reference to any diagrams below, each of the players could be represented by roles that are typically denoted as standard basketball positions, unless otherwise noted.
In essence, 1 could be indicative of the team’s primary play initiator on the court such as the point guard position.
Next, 2 could represent the team’s wing player on the court such as a shooting guard or small forward.
Lastly, 3 could signify the team’s post player such as a power forward or center position.
Moreover, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What is an example of 3 on 3 offense featuring a cross screen?
This is an example of 3 on 3 offense that features a cross screen and other offensive actions that could lead to one or more potential scoring opportunities.
In terms of the initial setup: 1 is at the top in possession of the basketball; 2 occupies the right side low post area; 3 fills the left side low post area.
Part 1: Dribble entry and cross screen
Starting the action, 1 executes a dribble entry toward the right side wing area. Next, 2 moves into the lane to set a cross screen near the basket.
3 utilizes that screen and cuts over and behind 2, looking to receive the ball from 1. That simple action could also lead to a layup if feasible.
Otherwise, 3 could continue towards the right side low post area as a secondary opportunity to receive the ball from 1 while 2 cuts out to the weak side corner area.
Afterwards, if 3 receives the ball from 1 near the right side low post, then 3 could attempt to score via a low post move.
Part 2: Kick pass options
Alternatively, if the defender who is guarding 1, denoted as X1 on the diagram, attempts to steal the ball from 3, particularly by digging in, then 3 could throw a kick pass towards 1, which could result in a possible three-point shot.
Furthermore, let’s say that 3 dribbles into the lane from the post area against their own primary defender, indicated as X3 on the diagram.
If that were to happen and the defender who is covering 2, denoted as X2 on the diagram, slides into the lane to provide help, then 3 could also throw a kick pass towards 2, which could potential lead to another three-point shot opportunity.
What is an example of 3 on 3 offense featuring Horns action?
This is an example of 3 on 3 offense that is reminiscent of the basic Horns set, which involves pick and roll action in addition to a high low option.
For the setup, 1 fills the top with possession of the basketball while 2 and 3 occupy near the high post elbow areas.
Part 1: Pick and roll
To start, 1 could dribble towards the left or right via the on-ball screens that are set by 2 and 3.
However, in this instance, 1 decides to dribbles toward the left side, particularly towards the extended slot area via the pick set by 3.
Furthermore, 3 also rolls to the basket following the screening action and 2 fills the top thereafter.
Once that occurs, 3 could receive the ball from 1 and score via layup if that is available.
Part 2: High low
Next, 1 could pass towards the top with 2 as the recipient. Immediately afterwards, 3 could receive the ball from 2 via high low action and attempt to quickly score with a potential low post move.
What is an example of 3 on 3 offense featuring a scissors cut?
This is an example of 3 on 3 offense that generally emphasizes a scissors cut as well as additional actions from the high post that could result in one or more scoring opportunities.
For the initial setup, 1 is at the right slot with possession of the ball, 2 occupies the left slot, and 3 fills the left side low post area.
Part 1: Shallow cut and high post lift
To begin, 1 dribbles towards the left slot and as that occurs, 2 executes a shallow cut from the left slot to the vacant right slot.
Following that, 2 receives the ball from 1 and as that passing action happens, 3 lifts up toward the middle of the high post, essentially around the nail area to receive the ball .
From there, 3 receives the ball from 2, which completes the first portion of the overall offensive set.
Part 2: Scissors cut
Next, 1 cuts towards 3 near the right side elbow area and could receive the ball via a handoff from 3.
If that occurs, then 1 could attack the rim and score via a layup. Otherwise, 1 continues the cut through to the right side corner.
Similarly, after 1 carries out the initial cut from the slot area, 2 follows suit and cuts toward the left side elbow area. Afterwards, 2 could receive the ball from 3 via handoff, attack the basket, and score by way of a layup.
Otherwise, 2 continues the cut towards the left side corner in similar fashion to 1.
Part 3, Option 1: High post isolation
If 1 or 2 did not receive the ball via handoff, then 3 has an opportunity to play 1 on 1 against their defender via high post isolation.
Basically, 3 could execute offensive action such as a quick jab step followed by a mid-range jump shot.
Alternatively, as shown on the diagram, 3 could swiftly drive to the basket, attempt to score via a close-range shot or possibly throw a kick pass towards 1 or 2 within the corners.
Part 3, Option 2: Dribble handoff
If 3 is not too comfortable or highly adept in relation to isolation skills, then as an alternative route, 3 could execute dribble handoff (DHO) action with 1 or 2.
For this example, 3 carries out the DHO with 1. After receiving the ball, 1 could drive towards the lane area.
Also, as that is happening, 3 could pop towards the short corner between the low post and standard corner near the baseline.
From there, 1 could keep possession of the ball and try to score around the basket. Alternatively, 2 or 3 could receive the ball from 1 and take potential field goal attempts if open.
What is an example of 3 on 3 offense featuring a UCLA cut?
This is an example of 3 on 3 offense that features the UCLA cut, derived from the UCLA offense to create scoring opportunities.
As it relates to the initial setup: 1 begins at the right slot in possession of the ball; 2 occupies the right side wing area; 3 fills the right side high post elbow area.
Part 1: UCLA cut
To start, 2 receives the ball from 1. Afterwards, 1 executes the UCLA cut towards the basket by way of the high post screen set by 3.
Following that, 1 could receive the ball again from 2 and score near the basket via a layup. Otherwise, 1 could continue the cut through to the left side corner.
Part 2: Side pick and roll
After 1 cuts through to the weak side corner, 2 and 3 can execute side pick and roll action. Essentially, 3 can step out to set an on-ball screen while 2 dribbles towards the general high post area.
Moreover, after setting the screen, 3 can roll to the basket. From there, 3 could receive the ball from 2 and score via a layup.
Alternatively though, 1 could receive the ball via the kick pass and take the three-point shot if that is feasible or 2 could simply keep possession of the ball and take the mid-range shot.
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