What exactly is 3x3 basketball?
In simple terms it is basketball with three players, rather than five.
But there is a bit more to the abbreviated version of the game, which will be on show at the National Basketball League’s inaugural 3x3 tournament in Invercargill over the next three days.
It is played in the half-court, meaning just one hoop is used.
Rather than running to the other end, the team picking up possession has to take the ball outside the three-point line before it can score.
Shots inside the arc are worth one point and outside the arc are worth two.
That means long shots have more value in a 3x3 game, being worth double a closer shot rather being worth only 50% more.
Free throws are still worth one point, too, increasing their value on a regular game as well.
Games go for 10 minutes, or until a team reaches 21 points — whichever comes first.
The ball is different too — the same size women normally play with, but the weight of a men’s ball.
It makes for a fast, physical and, at times, very different game to basketball’s full version.
New Zealand has had plenty of success in the format since its inception over the past decade.
In 2011 and 2015 it won under-18 men’s world titles and last year it finished second to the United States at the under-18 women’s world championships.
It will also feature at the next Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
The NBL tournament, beginning at 6.30pm today, has both men’s and women’s competitions.
Each has 10 teams and will run alongside each other.
Tomorrow and Saturday will have sessions from noon until 4pm, as well as 6.30pm until 10.30pm.
