Why 3v3 Is The Cure For What Ails Your Team

I don't know your team, but I do know this - there are things your team does that frustrate you!

It could be how your team handles pressure. It could be rebounding.

You know what it is. Unfortunately, there's a difference between being able to recognize the problem and actually solving it. In fact, that's generally the difference between mediocre coaches and really good ones.

So, how do you get past the identification stage and onto the fixing stage? One easy place to start is by using 3v3. In my 20 years of coaching, this is one of the biggest shifts I've made. That's one of the primary benefits of 3v3 Drills For Offense And Defense With Nick LoGalbo.

When we are struggling with something 5v5, we go back to 3v3 and then build back up. The results have been transformational.

When it comes to team concepts, I have found that all issues can be addressed this way...

7 Reasons Why 3v3 Is The Best Way To Improve Your Team

In the past, we've talked about the benefits of 3v3 basketball. To review:

Players get more touches
Players get to make more decisions
You can involve more players by playing multiple 3v3 games at once
It's easier to see players' strengths and weaknesses because there are less players on the floor
It also allows you to more accurately assess your team as players can't hide like sometimes happens in 5v5
You can use 3v3 drills to focus on ANY concepts your team is struggling with (hence the ability to solve your problems)
It's fun because you have more kids playing and less kids standing

How 3v3 Solves 5 Key Coaching Problems

What problems can 3v3 solve? A bunch:

Problem: 1v1 Defense

Solution: Try Billiken 3v3. It's a great way to work on closing out and guarding in the half court. Players become better defenders because they have to defend more space than in a 5v5 setting.

Problem: Struggling With Offensive Reads

Solution:Play 3v3 with the people involved in the action. Here's how that could look with the zoom action. This is just one action Coach LoGalbo covers in the 3v3 video.

Run whatever action you want to work on. You can tell the defense to guard it a certain way or let them choose. Play out the possession 3v3, working on the reads off that action.

In this scenario, 2 defenders stop 3's drive, leaving 1 open on the roll.

Problem: Bad Passing Against Pressure

Solution: Play 3v3 no dribble. This forces the offense to be strong with the ball. It also encourages players without the ball to cut hard.

Problem: Boxing Out

Solution:Creighton 3v3. This boxout drill from 3v3 Drills For Offense And Defense with Nick LoGalbo spotlights rebounding and forces players to physically box out.

You can do it from a line formation.

You can also start the defenders circling to make it more challenging.

Problem: Bad Habits.

Solution:play cutthroat. We recently shared this drill from How To Run Championship Practices With Ryan Schultz. He shows the drill 4v4 but notes you can run it 3v3. It's a great way to reinforce the habits you want to build!

Basically, you choose which habits you want to reinforce. If players fail to do them, they lose possession. For example, you might say a player has to square up to the rim on every catch. If they don't, it's an automatic turnover.

The Only Limit Is Your Creativity

The beauty of 3v3 is that there are infinite variations. You can continually change the rules and constraints to fit the needs of your team.

By doing so, you are able to efficiently address your team's struggles. This results in fasterr team AND faster player development.

If you're looking for more 3v3 ideas, check out 3v3 Drills For Offense And Defense with Coach Nick LoGalbo. Coach LoGalbo shares 3v3 drills for every aspect of the game. They've made his team one of the best in the Chicago area and will do wonders for you as well!