What is the 3x3 Basketball Academy?
A 12-module global planning pathway based on current FIBA 3x3 references, covering court envelope, users, base, surface, hoop, scoring, lighting, containment, spectators, technology and multi-sport flexibility.
SPORT + ACADEMY
3x3 Basketball Academy
Plan a compact basketball court as a complete global facility, not just a hoop and painted lines.
A 12-module global planning pathway based on current FIBA 3x3 references, covering court envelope, users, base, surface, hoop, scoring, lighting, containment, spectators, technology and multi-sport flexibility.
SELF-GUIDED12 MODULES
WHO IT IS FORSchools · Clubs · Councils · Communities · Resorts · Event venues · International projects
FORMATRead · Check · Apply
OUTCOMEA clearer project brief
Planning resource · Reviewed September 2026 · Final technical design and local compliance remain project-specific
How to use the Academy
Work through the decisions in order, then go deeper where the project needs it.
Each module gives you a planning outcome and a short set of questions to resolve. The linked guide provides the deeper technical context. You can follow the complete sequence or jump directly to the decision you are working on.
SPORT + ACADEMY is a practical education and planning resource. It is not a formal qualification, accreditation or professional-design substitute.
Direct answers
Understand the pathway before you start.
These short answers define the scope of the Academy and make the planning intent clear before you move into the modules.
Who is this Academy for?
This self-guided planning pathway is intended for Schools · Clubs · Councils · Communities · Resorts · Event venues · International projects. It is designed to support early project understanding before detailed product specification or local professional design.
What does the Academy cover?
The pathway contains 12 modules covering start with the fiba 3x3 playing envelope, define the users and operating model, check the base and drainage, choose the surface pathway, plan the hoop and support structure, coordinate markings, shot clock and scoring and the final project brief.
Is SPORT + ACADEMY a formal qualification or accreditation?
No. SPORT + ACADEMY is a practical education and planning resource. It does not provide formal accreditation and does not replace project-specific professional, engineering, safety or statutory advice.
PLANNING BOARD 11
3x3 basketball court + event envelope
The compact FIBA playing court sits inside a larger operating zone for run-off, hoop structure, shot clock, teams, spectators, lighting and event flow.Conceptual planning diagram · not a construction drawingLearning pathway
12 decisions that shape the facility.
Resolve the early project questions before detailed product specification. That reduces rework and makes later supplier, consultant and project-team conversations more useful.
01
MODULE 01
Start with the FIBA 3x3 playing envelope
What you need to decideUse the official 15 × 11 m court and boundary reference as the sport baseline, then plan the larger operating footprint around it.
Information to collect
Is the project competition, school, club, community or event-led?
Is the site a standalone half-court or part of a full basketball court?
What clear area exists beyond the playing boundary?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
Module 1 of 12Next
02
MODULE 02
Define the users and operating model
What you need to decideMatch the court to player age, skill, peak occupancy, casual use, coaching, tournaments and public access.
Information to collect
Who uses the court most often?
Will formal 3x3 events be hosted?
What operating hours and supervision apply?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
03
MODULE 03
Check the base and drainage
What you need to decideConfirm slab or asphalt condition, levels, cracking, water movement and edge conditions before selecting the playing surface.
Information to collect
What base exists now?
Does water pond on or beside the court?
Are repairs or local civil works required first?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
04
MODULE 04
Choose the surface pathway
What you need to decideSelect the playing surface around traction, ball response, outdoor exposure, maintenance, portability and the actual base.
Information to collect
Indoor, outdoor or temporary event court?
Permanent, modular or roll-out pathway?
Who will maintain and repair the surface?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
05
MODULE 05
Plan the hoop and support structure
What you need to decideCoordinate support type, setback, foundations or anchoring, backboard, rim, padding and maintenance access before the surrounding works are frozen.
Information to collect
Fixed, wall-mounted or portable system?
What foundation or structural support is required?
Is safe maintenance access available?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
06
MODULE 06
Coordinate markings, shot clock and scoring
What you need to decideTreat court markings and event equipment as part of the facility rather than loose additions.
Information to collect
Are official event markings required?
Where will shot clock and scoring equipment sit?
What power, data or operator positions are needed?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
07
MODULE 07
Plan lighting around the half-court geometry
What you need to decideSet poles, aiming, glare control and operating hours around the actual hoop, court and surrounding uses.
Information to collect
Recreation or competition lighting?
Do poles conflict with run-off or spectators?
Are nearby properties sensitive to spill light?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
08
MODULE 08
Plan containment and circulation
What you need to decideKeep ball containment, gates, paths and waiting space outside the active player envelope.
Information to collect
Is fencing required?
Where do players enter and wait?
Can spectators reach viewing areas without crossing play?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
09
MODULE 09
Add team, spectator and event zones
What you need to decideAllow space for teams, officials, spectators, cameras, hydration and event operations if the court will host organised play.
Information to collect
How many spectators are expected?
Where do teams and officials wait?
Is temporary event infrastructure needed?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
10
MODULE 10
Plan technology and capture
What you need to decideCoordinate camera positions, score systems, power and data without compromising sightlines or safe movement.
Information to collect
Will games be recorded or streamed?
Where can cameras mount safely?
What network and power are available?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
11
MODULE 11
Protect future multi-sport use
What you need to decideDecide whether basketball remains the primary layout or must share with netball, futsal, pickleball or school recreation.
Information to collect
What other sports are expected?
Which lines should dominate visually?
Can fixed equipment block future use?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
12
MODULE 12
Build the 3x3 project brief
What you need to decideBring users, site, base, surface, hoop, scoring, lighting, containment and event requirements into one project package.
Information to collect
Are measured dimensions documented?
Are the FIBA reference and intended competition level clear?
What local works and approvals remain outside supply?
Saved decisions feed into Your Facility Plan, My Apollo Project and the Sports Project Brief.
SPORT + TOOLS
Apply what you have learned.
Use the planning tools when you are ready to translate the Academy modules into dimensions, comparisons and a structured project brief.
01
3x3 Basketball Systems
Move from the planning pathway into Apollo's current global supply stack for surfaces, lighting, containment, seating, cover, sports vision and project-specific basketball equipment.
Open tool 023x3 Planning Guide
Review the global sport reference and complete project envelope.
Open tool 03Sports Flooring Selector
Compare surface pathways around base, climate and operating model.
Open tool 04Sports Project Brief Builder
Turn the resolved court decisions into one Apollo review package.
Open toolSPORT + KNOWLEDGE
Continue learning
Need a court that serves more than basketball?
Use the Multi-Sport Court Academy when 3x3 needs to share the same facility with netball, futsal, pickleball or other school and community sports.
Open Multi-Sport Court Academy