Top Flight specialises in teaching and promoting the game of basketball at the youth and high school levels. Programs include after school activities, camps, individual and small group training, and specialised clinics. Each programs is designed with one aim: to equip players with the skills and knowledge to become the best basketball players and young people they can possibly be.

One initiative include the Bangkok Junior 3-on-3 Basketball League (BJBL), a premiere youth basketball league in Southeast Asia. The 3-on-3 league concept is growing in popularity — in 2020, it will become an Olympic sport. Below are 4 great reasons why 3 on 3 basketball games are ideal for young players.

1. More Ball Time

As there are 2 fewer players in a 3-on-3 basketball game (as opposed to the traditional 5-on-5 game), players get to handle the ball more, helping to better develop skills, teamwork and confidence. Let’s say that a game is 40 minutes long and a player plays the entire game; half of the time is spent on defense and the other 20 minutes is for offense. Plus there are 4 other teammates, so 20 minutes divided by 5 players is 4 minutes each. So in a 40-minute game, on average, a player only has the ball in his or her hands for 4 minutes total.

2. More Fast Paced

Surprisingly fast-paced, the 3-on-3 game 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 to Move

Again, with only 6 players on the court as compared to 10 in the 5-on-5 game, there is more space to operate on the court. More space allows young players to do more, and try out more new moves.  As they improve, they can then take to the 5-on-5 game. Having more space to play makes the game often times more fun!

4. Better Basic Basketball Movements

Finally, 3-on-3 basketball is a great teaching tool for basic movements and skills, which can be carried over to 5-on-5 games in the future. Oftentimes 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 these moves.

2019 Bangkok Junior Basketball League

“3-on-3 basketball has been growing in popularity and participation over the last few years, and we believe there are a number of positive reasons for that,” explains Ike Nwankwo, Founder of Top Flight Basketball. “[To sum up the above], 3-on-3 requires only six players to fill a competitive game, space usage can be limited to just half a court, and the rules are a bit easier to understand. This format lends itself well to increased participation as well, as each team member will spend more time handling the ball, communicating with their teammates, and participating in competition.”

He adds, “This year, Top Flight Basketball Academy will be changing the format of its Bangkok Junior Basketball League from the traditional 5-on-5 format, to the more inclusive 3-on-3. We would like to invite all students from the ages of 5 to 18 to participate in the 2019 BJBL. This is a great opportunity for Bangkok’s youth to experience competition, learn the fundamentals, and moreover increase socialisation and work ethics.”

For more information, on the 2019 BJBL, which begins on 13 January 2019 with an assessment day, please contact [email protected], LINE: @topflightbangkok or call 092-258-5853.