Increasingly teams include the 3 point shot as a specific aspect of their offensive play, including taking 3 point shots in transition. This tends to increase the tempo of the game and often requires each player in a team to be able to shoot from this range.

Whilst it is not a tactic necessarily suited to junior teams (that do not shoot as effectively from range), with older athletes it can help the team to score quickly. Coaches that encourage this style of play must ensure that the team understands how to determine situations when the shot should be taken in transition.

For example, if an opponent has scored on a number of consecutive possessions the coach may wish to slow the tempo of the game and accordingly not shoot “quick 3s”. Whereas the coach may deliberately want to increase tempo if they are down late in the game.

Sometimes the guard will take a 3 point shot in transition when the defender does not come to attack the dribbler.

This shot can be most effective if a second player is running into a rebounding position.

In a 2v1 situation, the dribbler may attack the basket and then pass to a teammate who “spots up” for a 3 point shot, rather than attacking the basket for a possible lay-up.

In 3v2, the opposite wing (2) may sink to the corner rather than moving towards the basket. As x2 rotates to stop penetration by 3, 3 can pass to the corner for a shot.

1 still moves to the ball side elbow to force x1 to make a decision as to whether to defend 1 or sag into the key.

If 1 keeps their dribble (rather than passing ahead), 2 and 3 may both sink to the corner to receive a pass from x1. If x2 hedges toward one corner, 1 would pass to the opposite corner.

Additionally, if x2 closes out to the corner player (when they receive the pass), the corner player can attack the basket and pass to the opposite corner if they cannot get a lay up.

A quick 3 point shot can also be taken by the “trailer” as the ball is reversed at the start of a secondary break.