Comparative Analysis of the Implementation of Technical and Tactical Actions by High-Qualification Teams in 3x3 and 5x5 Basketball

The aim of the study is to identify the distinctive characteristics of technical and tactical activities of high-qualification teams in 3x3 and 5x5 basketball and to determine their priority impact on achieving successful outcomes in prestigious international competitions. Data were collected from 20 men's and 20 women's teams (3x3) and 32 men's (2023) and 12 women's (2022) teams (5x5). Performance indicators (field goals, free throws, rebounds, etc.) were normalized per minute of play and analyzed using standard FIBA match protocols. Normality was checked via Shapiro–Wilk test; comparisons were performed with ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis H test as appropriate. The research examined the competitive activity of national teams in 3x3 and 5x5 basketball at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, analyzing data on technical and tactical activities from men's and women's 5x5 and 3x3 teams. Results show that 3x3 basketball teams had a higher percentage (p<0.01) of successful close-range shots (61.1±1.624 and 52.50±1.243) compared to 5x5 teams (54.05±1.04 and 44.87±1.736). However, 3x3 basketball teams had lower percentages in successful long-range shots compared to 5x5 teams (p<0.05). The 3x3 teams showed a statistically significant advantage in the frequency of close-range and long-range shot attempts. Women's 3x3 teams nearly doubled these shooting parameters compared to 5x5 teams (0.912±0.039 vs. 0.513±0.031, p<0.001), and scored similar points per minute (1.763±0.080 in 5x5 vs. 1.630±0.052 in 3x3). In men's competitions, 5x5 teams recorded a statistically significant higher number of points per minute than 3x3 teams (2.08±0.037 vs. 1.755±0.051, p<0.001). Among the men's teams that took top places, successful long-range shots correlated with higher rankings (r = -0.510, p<0.01 in 5x5 and r = -0.774, p<0.001 in 3x3). In women's competitions, close-range shot quality significantly impacted overall success (r = -0.705, p<0.01 in 5x5 and r = -0.482, p<0.05 in 3x3). The findings of this study confirm the value of analyzing teams in both 3x3 and 5x5 formats, as it reveals universal patterns and specific differences in competitive performance, but also shows that accounting for gender differences facilitates more precise training planning and tactical decisions.