3-on-3 Half Court

Scrimmage/finisher

Put the day's skills into a real, game-like situation.

12 min 6–12 Half court

DefenseTeamworkU10U12U14U16

Game guide

Example: 9 players · 3 teams · 1 ball

Speed

Six play. Three wait safely.

● Player / attack■ DefenceGrey: waiting teamGold: ball

Set up

Example: three teams of three. Use one half court and one ball. Waiting players stay outside the sideline.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Move after you pass — don't stand and watch.

Playback options

Pause between chaptersShort teaching example

Coach’s notes & group organisation

Nine-player example: three teams of three, one half court and one ball. Six play; the waiting team stands outside the sideline.

Agree make-it-take-it, one pass before shooting and games to four baskets for this example.
On a defensive rebound or turnover, clear the ball beyond the arc before attacking. Check the ball after a stoppage. These are practice choices, not official 3×3 rules.
The winning team stays and the waiting team replaces the loser. The rotation card shows one possible result.
With six players, use two teams and restart with agreed possession. With nine or twelve, rotate whole teams.

Suggested reset

Winner stays; the next team replaces the losing team. This example shows 1–3 winning, so 7–9 enter and 4–6 wait safely outside the sideline. If 4–6 win, they stay instead. Secure and check the ball before restarting. With six, keep two teams; with nine or twelve, rotate whole teams.

Coaching cues

Move after you pass — don't stand and watch.
Talk on defence: 'ball!', 'help!'.
Everyone touches it before a shot.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Coach-officiated, generous whistle, focus on fun.

Harder: Add a scoring twist: assists count as a point.

What this drill teaches

How the game actually works — spacing, help defence and playing with teammates — at a size where every kid touches the ball constantly. Small-sided games teach decisions no drill can script.

In games: The transfer step itself — kids who only ever drill often freeze in real games; regular 3-on-3 makes game night feel like just another Tuesday at practice.

What good looks like

Players cutting or screening after passing, not standing to watch
Defensive talk — 'ball!', 'help!' — without prompting
The ball touching every hand before a shot goes up

U10: bunched-up beehive ball is normal — keep re-spacing them and playing on. U14–U16: expect real spacing, unselfish extra passes and honest defensive talk.