North Canterbury Basketball has made a big shift with our primary school competition, and have moved the yr 5&6 grades to 3X3 basketball. Our yr 7&8 competitions will remain 5v5. 

This shift has been in the works with multiple 3x3 pilot competitions and tournaments being run over the past 2 years, such as the Girls Got Game 3x3 in term 1, SIPT yr 5&6 3x3 tournament, and our McDonalds All Star Festival 3x3 tournament. Alongside this, we are continuing our collaboration with other clubs in Canterbury, Gators and Selwyn, who have also shifted their competitions for yr 5&6 to 3x3. Furthermore the decision is strongly backed by best practice in the sporting industry and evidenced based research on youth sport.

Recently, the Sport NZ ‘Strengthen and Adapt’ review of sport in our country also seeks for transformational change within the sector and how traditional sport is delivered to tamariki and rangatahi. 

Basketball New Zealand are excited about the shift to the 3x3 competition, and are wanting to capture and share our lesson's for the wider basketball community across NZ. 

The NCBA McDonalds Primary competition (FNBB) firmly sits within the development space of North Canterbury Basketball Association. The NCBA FNBB competition provides athletes, coaches and parents with an introduction to basketball. Ultimately FNBB is about getting as many of our community, especially young people, involved in, and enjoying basketball so that they become an active participant for life. Furthermore, FNBB aims to provides appropriate age and stage development, so the participants are learning and developing the appropriate skills required to succeed in the future.

We believe that 3x3 undoubtably achieves the purpose of our Primary competition, and is a competition that best serves the needs of our tamariki.  

Fernside School's Annabel Wilson sums it up perfectfly "This change is based on what is best for children's enjoyment and development. While it is a surprise and it calls for adjustment, Fernside School supports what is best for our students. Adjusting adult sporting codes to a child's age and stage is best"

Why 3X3 Basketball?

• Increased time on task for participants – more touches, and more shots
• Helps develop key modern basketball skills such as 1v1 skills, spacing, and decision making
• Game is faster, and more space to play in and be creative
• More player ownership and leadership 
• Its FUN!
• Its an Olympic sport!

Testimonials and Evidence

• We have had resounding success and positive outcomes fromour 3x3 Pilot programs. Some feedback from attendees is below.
  • “First 3X3 experience & from feedback from parents & kids its obvious it was very well received & an awesome format for development. Had one boy say it was the best weekend ever. 10min games with quick turn around worked well for kids focus”
  • “Great fast game. Every player gets involved.”
  • “My child likes the format, lots of touches and chances to give his team mates opportunities.”
  • “All the girls in our team loved it and you could see their confidence growing each week. Because they got to play more, they were able to develop good skills.”
• Catch our wrap up video and listen to the kids them selves say why they like 3x3 below!

Yr 5/6 3X3 Rules & Structure

• 10 week competition; seperate girls and boys grades.
• 3 games per team, per night in the 45 minute timeslots
• 10 minute games, Teams will play 30 games in the season.
• Teams with 4 players is best. Teams of 5 and 6 can get hard with substitutions.
• Game is first to 21, or most points at the end of 10 minutes
  • 2 pts for a 3, 1 pt for everything else.
  • No overtime due to time constraints for 3x3.
    • Points: 0 for a loss * 2 for a win * 1 for a draw
• Subs only on a whistle, game continues after a basket.
• Check ball only on a whiste via foul, out of bounds, or other violation.
• Limited coach instruction and verbal communication during game as per FIBA 3x3 rules.
• Watch video below for how to play 3X3.
  • https://youtu.be/FxxoT-PgQQA

Tips for 3x3 Coaching and Trainings:

• Have multiple teams train together at once. Can have 2 teams train per hoop.
• Play 3x3 at training so they improve in how to play the game
• Key skills to focus on teaching
  • Spacing
  • 1v1 skills and finishing
  • Matchup (player to player) defence
• Ask the players questions and help them find solutions as coach intervention during the 3x3 games is limited so the players need to develop problem solving skills and decision making.
• Bring the fun and energy! Music will be played during the games so play it during training!

Article added: Tuesday 03 August 2021