3 on 3 Small Sided Game

A games based approach and small sided games are trending all over the planet as more and more programs are using competition to teach skills and decision making. That doesn’t mean “roll the balls out” so much as it means that we add small rules and allow the players to develop under stress. What adds to the development is to have the teams change daily but to also track the wins of each player. Legendary coach Don Nelson has said many times that you can really teach the game with 3 on 3 and it’s something that his warriors teams would play daily. It prevents players from hiding but also gives them the repetitions needed to improve. The Miami Heat have also used regular 3 on 3 as part of their vaunted player development program. Here is a link regarding various 3 on 3 games as well.

3 On 3 Games for Player Development

Below you will see a few simple rules to help with the development of the players ability to think and execute the game. You will also look at several entries and actions that players have at their disposal. Initiating on one side of the floor allows teams to improve on entering the ball to a desired area while under pressure.

Rules: First to 11 using 1s and 2s

1. 12 second shot clock
2. Must Pressure the ball at all times to improve at guarding the ball. Backing off of the ball results in a point for the offensive team.
3. Make a free throw following game point to validate the win. The game continues if you miss.

Important off ball screening rules:

1. If your teammate’s defender is closer to the PAINT, screen towards the perimeter.
2. If your teammate’s defender is closer to the SIDELINE, screen towards the rim.
3. Screeners should be fast to create contact, while cutters should be patient.

Reads List

Pass/Cut (Through)

The goal here is for the cutter to draw two defenders with them which will allow a lift behind the cut for a jumpshot or to attack a closeout.

Downscreens (Down)

Regardless of where the pass goes, we will flow into one of three options. A screen and slip, curl and pop, or a backdoor and pop.

Trail options

Corner options

Flare screens (Up)

With the defense sinking in, we can look to set a flare screen and slip or also curl the flare screen to the rim.

Trail options

Corner options

Dribble handoff to ballscreen

Simply put, a dribble handoff will always be followed by a ballscreen. If it’s a wing handoff, then the trailer will follow behind. Lifting behind the ballscreen is vital to create the neccessary space for the roller to get an open look at the rim. Another option is to dribble pitch with the trailer who will have the option to chase their pass to the wing or top of the key with a ballscreen. during dribble handoffs, ensure that you are getting below the level of the defender to allow contact to be made for the teammate to attack in space.

Dribble backdoor into a post up or ballscreen

After the backdoor cut on the wing, the impending ballscreen allows our trailer to roll to the rim with the backside help defender removed. Dribbling towards the trailer leads to good post position by letting our offensive player seal his defender behind him before scoring.

Fist/Drag

Here is a short breakdown of how our trailer will screen the ball in transition which is based on where they are located in relation to the ball.

1. Behind the ball is a basic pick and roll with a backside lift.
2. Trail ahead of the ball is a sprint to one side and switch to the other at the last minute. This is also known as a turn or step up screen.
3. Level with the ball handler is an early slip OR a pop while the corner cuts to the rim.

Pistol

Pistol is usually described as a hit ahead and chase around to get a handoff towards the baseline. Assuming the handoff isn’t available, a ballscreen occurs next. For the purposes of this article, pistol will be characterized by a wing entry which will include a cut through to ballscreen or a double ballscreen with the wing passer.

Snap

This is a fun action to flow into, if our trailer is ahead of the ball at times. Our guard will pass ahead and sprint around to get a handoff to attack. If that isn’t there, the guard wil get a ballscreen back towards where they came from. The trailer may also fake the handoff and pass towards the other perimeter player as well.

Zipper and Split

A popular NBA concept in which we downscreen for the strongside guard in the corner. Split is the opposite action where a rip screen is set for the trailer to sprint towards the rim. Here we will look to post up and screen away which is also known as a split action. The Golden State Warriors are just one of the many teams to make good use of this action.

Chop

This is the trigger for a pick and pop action. What’s different here is that the player behind the popping screener will cut to the rim. This is important because it takes the help away from the shooter who is about to be open. The Boston Celtics tormented teams throughout the 2018 playoffs with this action.

For more information on small sided games, email me at KJTHESCOUT@outlook.com or via twitter at KJ_THE_SCOUT.

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