Why is 3 on 3 great for development?

#1 Players Have the Ball More

Put simply, there are 2 fewer players on a 3-on-3 basketball team than a 5-on-5 team, so players have the ball in their hands more often.

The math for the amount of time in 5-on-5 that a player actually has the ball in their hands is pretty staggering.

So just due to the total number of players, a player will have the ball in their hands for more time in 3-on-3 than 5-on-5, and this is clearly a great thing for development.

#2 Fast Paced

3-on-3 is a surprisingly fast-paced game because it is played in the half-court and players simply have to take the ball out of the net and take it back over the 3 point line before trying to score. 

The fast pace of the game makes it a lot of fun as compared to some of the 5-on-5 games that can become boring and stagnant with a slow tempo or teams sitting in zone defenses.

#3 More Space

Again, with only 6 players total on the court as compared to 10 in 5-on-5, there is more space to operate on the court.

More space allows young players to do more, and possibly more importantly, try some new moves. And like with #2, having more space to play makes the game often times more fun!

#4 Learn Basic Basketball Movements

3-on-3 basketball is a great teaching tool for basic 5-on-5 movements and skills. Often times in 5-on-5, the main offensive operation is performed by only 3 players. For instance, a pick and roll with the 3 players on the ball/strong side or a pass and screen away are some of the most common movements in basketball, so 3-on-3 works to help players perfect them.

#5 3x3 is an Olympic Sport

Last but not least, one of the benefits of 3-on-3 basketball is an Olympic sport. The reason this is important is it gives kids an opportunity to watch some really high level 3-on-3 games and players and potentially give them something to aspire to!

These are not the only benefits to 3-on-3 basketball, but these 5 are some of the main ones, especially for youth and high school aged players.
 

Details of the league:

• Teams consist of 4-5 guys at a max.

• Games follow official Olympic rules.

• All games are officiated by a certified IAABO referee.

• Games are 15 minutes long, running clock until the last minute.

• 2 Games per night.

• 20 game season.

• No coaches allowed, players coach themselves!

• Top 8 teams make playoffs for both divisions.

• JV (6th-8th) and Varsity Division (9th-11th grade)

• All games will be played at Yonkers Montessori School in Yonkers.

• Game nights are Tuesdays, starting at 6:30 PM and go until 9:15 PM.

• All teams receive jerseys.

• Zero-tolerance league (no fighting or arguing with referees allowed). 

Extra details:

• Cost: $800 per team or $200 as a free agent.

• Ages: Boys in grades 6th-11th

• Open gym night: 11/14 - 6th-8th grade 7-8 PM -
  9th-11th grade 8-9 PM

• Location: Yonkers Montessori Academy - 160 Woodlawn Ave, Yonkers NY