What is a 3-and-D player in basketball
A 3-and-D player is a term primarily associated with the NBA that describes a type of basketball athlete who is adept at making jump shots, particularly from three-point range, and playing high level defense, especially against the opposing team’s best offensive scorers.
In simple terms, the 3-and-D player is a three-point specialist as well as a defensive specialist.
Moreover, the 3-and-D player may not be the team’s best overall player or even one of the team’s starting members.
In other words, the 3-and-D player could potentially be a bench player whose main roles are to provide scoring when the starters are resting and/or defend one of the other team’s best scorers.
What are typical physical characteristics of a 3-and-D player
In terms of physical characteristics, the 3-and-D player typically possesses above average height with optimal arm length or wingspan, which also helps them to guard multiple offensive players or shoot the ball over the extended arms of certain defenders.
The 3-and-D player also possesses at least an adequate amount of athleticism, which includes speed, quickness, agility, and vertical leaping ability.
What’s more, the 3-and-D player is usually one of the best conditioned players on their respective team with a sufficient amount of stamina and overall energy.
Ample conditioning is necessary offensively for the 3-and-D player because it allows them to constantly move without the ball, primarily to get open.
In addition, a satisfactory level of conditioning is essential as it relates to defense because it helps the 3-and-D player stay in front of the offensive player that they would be guarding without getting fatigued too quickly.
What are typical basketball positions of a 3-and-D player
In reference to basketball positions, the 3-and-D player is usually a wing player such as a shooting guard, small forward, or swingman.
Shooting Guard
The shooting guard is one of the common basketball positions and the primary role is to attempt shots, particularly near the perimeter areas of the court such as the mid-range or three-point range.
For the 3-and-D shooting guard, this player would possibly be one of the best three-point shooters and defenders on the team.
Small forward
The small forward is another one of the common basketball positions that is typically capable of scoring, gathering assists, rebounding, and playing defense.
As it relates to the 3-and-D small forward, this particular player would be able to score from three-point range as well as near the basket if necessary.
Also, the 3-and-D small forward would not only be an adept defender but also have the capability to rebound or pass the ball at the right moments to other teammates, which could lead to additional scoring opportunities.
Swingman
The swingman is a hybrid position that combines traits of both the shooting guard and the small forward.
In terms of a 3-and-D swingman, this player can use their speed and quickness to create separation from slower defenders and at the same time, use their length to shoot the ball over smaller defenders.
What are typical offensive actions of a 3-and-D player
Utilize cuts to get open
A 3-and-D player could utilize certain types of basketball cuts such as the baseline cut, fade cut, Iverson cut, L-cut, V-cut and zipper cut to get open, especially near the perimeter areas of the court.
A baseline cut occurs when a 3-and-D player moves from one side of the court, initially near a wing or corner, to the opposite corner via the baseline.
A fade cut occurs when a 3-and-D player initially moves toward the wing, usually via a down screen, but then that same player changes the pathway to the adjacent corner, ultimately as a counter when a defender jumps over the top of the down screen.
An Iverson cut occurs when a 3-and-D player moves from one side of the court, initially near a wing area, towards the opposite side, to get open and receive the ball.
The L-cut occurs when a 3-and-D player initially begins near the low post block, moves up toward the mid-post or high post, and then pops out to the wing area, with a cutting pathway in the shape of an L.
The V-cut occurs when a 3-and-D player initially moves toward the basket or baseline from a perimeter area and then pops back towards an adjacent perimeter area, with a cutting pathway in the shape of the letter V.
The zipper cut occurs when a 3-and-D player starts near a lower area of the court such as the corner or low post block and then that same player cuts up toward the top.
Use screens to get open
The 3-and-D player could use certain types of screening actions such as the down screen, elevator screen, flare screen, or the stagger screen, to get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
The down screen is set by an offensive player who faces the baseline or towards the basket. Afterwards, the 3-and-D player could use that screen to get open near the perimeter areas of the court.
The elevator screen is set by two offensive players that are parallel to each other with a small space between them. The 3-and-D player could then cut in between that small space to get open near the perimeter, especially behind the three-point line.
The 3-and-D player could use the flare screen to get open while cutting away from the ball.
The 3-and-D player could use the stagger screen to cut from one area of the court to another area, ultimately to get open for a potential three-point shot.
Attempt 3-pointers off the catch
The 3-and-D player could attempt 3-pointers off the catch, which is also one of this player’s common abilities.
Additionally, the 3-and-D player could more than likely catch and shoot the ball with more effectiveness by implementing one or more of the aforementioned cutting and screening actions to get open for high quality scoring opportunities.
Attempt 3-pointers off the dribble
In certain cases, the 3-and-D player could also attempt 3-pointers off the dribble alongside a typical catch and shoot role.
For example, let’s say that the 3-and-D player is dribbling the basketball down the court during transition offense and simultaneously, there is only one defender who is also backpedaling to protect the basket.
In that instance, it could make sense for the 3-and-D player to stop behind the three-point line and raise up for a three-point shot, also known as stop and pop action, as opposed to dribbling the ball to the defender near the rim.
As another brief example, let’s say that the 3-and-D player initially catches the ball near the wing area for a possible three-pointer.
However, as that happens, let’s also say that a defender begins to run towards the 3-and-D player to limit or prevent the wide open three-pointer.
In that particular instance, the 3-and-D player could perform a pump fake to get the defender in the air or at least out of the proper defensive stance and then follow up with a step away dribble.
Afterwards, the 3-and-D player could take the potential wide open jump shot behind the three-point line.
What are typical defensive actions of a 3-and-D player
Execute defensive stance
The 3-and-D player is a capable defender and can execute an adequate defensive stance.
Essentially, the 3-and-D player is able to have their feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, their knees bent, and their back straight while maintaining balance.
The 3-and-D player is also able to remain on the balls of the feet and not stand flat-footed while having their hands up with their arms extended away from their sides.
Use defensive sliding
The 3-and-D player has the ability to move their feet laterally from side to side with one foot leading the other.
Also, the 3-and-D player would be able to keep their feet as close to shoulder width apart as possible while executing the lateral slide, which effectively helps the 3-and-D player move with lateral quickness.
Implement various defensive tactics
The 3-and-D player is able to implement a variety of defensive tactics to limit or disrupt the offensive flow of the opposing team.
The 3-and-D player is adept at closing out the open space between themselves and an adjacent offensive player, which then limits that same offensive player’s ability to take an uncontested jump shot or drive to the basket.
The 3-and-D player is also skilled in terms of executing denial defense so that an offensive player cannot easily receive the ball, especially near the perimeter areas of the court.
The 3-and-D player is also proficient at ball screen defense, particularly as it relates to going over the top of an on-ball screen or executing ice defense to limit the effectiveness of side pick and roll action.
The 3-and-D player could also stunt or shoot the gap in certain situations to hinder offensive scoring options.
Moreover, the 3-and-D player is also very effective in terms of guarding multiple offensive players via switch defense, especially perimeter-type players such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward.
Steal the ball
As an on-ball defender, the 3-and-D player can steal the ball, primarily by taking it away legally from the adjacent offensive player.
As an off-ball defender, the 3-and-D player can steal the ball by deflecting a pass, which could result in a teammate gathering the ball and the opposing team losing possession of it at the same time.
Additionally, the 3-and-D player could also steal the ball by intercepting it, particularly as a weak side help defender.
What’s more, regardless of the stealing method executed by the 3-and-D player, when that occurs, it would result in a turnover for the offensive player.
Block shots
The 3-and-D player could use their on-ball defensive skills to stay in front of an offensive player and block the shot attempt of that same offensive player when possible.
Furthermore, the 3-and-D player could potentially block shots as an off-ball defender as well.
This might happen when an offensive player in possession of the ball is attempting a layup or dunk or as a chase down block during transition.