As we touched on the other day, FIBA is hoping to get three-on-three basketball in the 2016 Summer Olympics. While this sounds very exciting, it does create a lot of questions that could not be answered until the International Olympic Committee actually makes a decision on the idea. But if you are wondering how “official” three-on-three basketball can look, the FIBA 3×3 World Tour can give you an idea.
This is the first year of the 3×3 World Tour but it is all part of FIBA’s plan to have three-on-three in the 2016 Olympics, as they have been rolling out three-on-three related events since 2010. FIBA is modeling three-on-three basketball like the Davis Cup in tennis and the Ryders Cup in golf.
But what about the rules of a FIBA sanctioned three-on-three game? One of the more beautiful aspects of pickup basketball is the simplicity of the game. Ones and twos, checking the ball, call your own fouls are the standard rules of any basketball court almost anywhere, and thankfully FIBA keeps the rules simple.
You can read all of the rules on FIBA’s website, but here are some of the key ones:
-Each team shall consist of four players (three players and one substitute).
-Every shot inside the arc shall be awarded one point.
-Every shot outside the arc shall be awarded two points.
-One period of 10 minutes playing time. The clock shall be stopped during dead ball situations and free throws.
-However the first team to score 21 points or more wins the game if it happens before the end of regular playing time.
-A player who has committed four fouls must leave the game.
-12-second shot clock.
As we mentioned on Tuesday, this is all still in the initial phases but it’s good to see that since before 2010, FIBA has been planning to implement three-on-three basketball in the 2016 Olympics.
For more information on the FIBA 3×3 World Tour, check out their site, and if you live in New York City, there is a tour stop at Citi Field (real Mets fans still call it Shea) this weekend.
What would you want the rules to be like?
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