Above the Break Three

Above the Break Three in basketball refers to three-point field goal attempts taken from locations beyond the three-point arc excluding the corner areas, specifically from the wings and top of the key where the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the basket rather than the 22-foot corner distance. This spatial designation represents the majority of three-point attempts in modern basketball (roughly 65-75 percent of all threes) and includes a diverse mix of shot types from catch-and-shoot wing attempts to pull-up shots at the top of the key. Above the Break Three shooting percentage, frequency, and shot quality provide crucial insights into perimeter shooting range, shot creation ability, offensive versatility, and three-point efficiency across different court locations beyond the higher-efficiency corners. The geometric definition of "above the break" refers to the break point where the three-point arc meets the sideline to form the corner three area. Above this break point, the arc extends outward to its maximum distance from the basket, creating the arc's characteristic rounded shape across the wings and top of the key. This longer distance compared to corners (21 inches farther) creates measurable efficiency differences, with league-average above-the-break three percentage typically 2-3 percentage points lower than corner percentage. Shot type diversity within above-the-break threes exceeds corner threes significantly. Above-the-break attempts include catch-and-shoot wing threes from drive-and-kick, pull-up threes from pick-and-roll and isolation, spot-up threes from offensive sets, step-back threes from shot creation, transition threes pushing in early offense, and hand-off threes coming off screens. This variety means above-the-break three percentage aggregates dramatically different shot difficulties and contexts. League-average above-the-break three-point percentage typically ranges from 35-36 percent in the modern NBA, approximately 2-3 percentage points below corner three percentage (38-39 percent). This efficiency gap stems from both geometric factors (longer distance) and shot quality factors (more contested attempts, more pull-ups, less open catch-and-shoot). Despite lower percentage than corners, above-the-break threes still generate solid expected points (1.05-1.08 PPS at league average) comparable to mid-range efficiency. Catch-and-shoot above-the-break three percentage measures efficiency on spot-up attempts from the wings and top, typically representing higher-quality above-the-break attempts. Elite catch-and-shoot above-the-break shooters convert at 40-43 percent, excellent efficiency for these attempts. Even average catch-and-shoot percentages (37-39 percent) provide solid value. This metric identifies spacing ability from multiple locations beyond just corners. Pull-up above-the-break three percentage measures self-creation ability from beyond the arc, a crucial skill for primary offensive creators. Elite pull-up three-point shooters like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Trae Young convert pull-ups at 37-40+ percent despite difficulty of creating shots off the dribble. Average players struggle to exceed 33-35 percent on pull-ups. High pull-up above-the-break efficiency indicates elite shot creation ability valuable for offensive systems. Wing versus top-of-key three-point efficiency within above-the-break locations reveals spatial preferences and hot zones. Some players shoot significantly better from wings than top of key or vice versa due to shooting angles, footwork comfort, or role factors. Understanding these preferences helps offensive positioning and shot selection: station players in their above-the-break hot zones when possible. Above-the-break three frequency within overall three-point attempts indicates shot distribution and role. Primary ball handlers and shot creators typically take 65-80+ percent of their threes above the break through pick-and-roll pull-ups, isolation step-backs, and wing creation. Corner specialists take more threes from corners (40-60+ percent) through positional role. Balanced three-point shooters distribute attempts more evenly across above-the-break and corner locations. Range indicators from above-the-break three shooting include deep three efficiency (27+ feet), well-beyond-the-arc percentage, and consistency across above-the-break locations. Players who maintain efficiency on deep above-the-break threes demonstrate exceptional range extending defensive attention significantly. This gravity creates space for teammates and offensive advantages through threat of very long makes. Defender proximity effects on above-the-break three efficiency show that contested above-the-break threes (defender within 4 feet) succeed at much lower rates (33-35 percent) than open attempts (6+ feet, 40-42 percent). Shot selection discipline involves hunting open above-the-break opportunities while minimizing heavily contested attempts unless possessed of elite shot-making ability maintaining efficiency despite contests. Pick-and-roll above-the-break three frequency and efficiency reveal how often and how well players convert pick-and-roll threes from above the break, a crucial modern skill for point guards and wings. Elite pick-and-roll ball handlers create and convert above-the-break threes at 37-40+ percent through step-backs, pull-ups, and relocations. This skill makes pick-and-roll defense extremely difficult: help on drives opens above-the-break threes. Transition above-the-break three attempts in early offense create high-value opportunities before defenses set. Players pulling for early offense above-the-break threes in transition can succeed at 40-43+ percent through rhythm shooting and defensive scrambling. Some offensive systems emphasize early above-the-break three hunting in transition rather than exclusively attacking the rim. Above-the-break three creation burden distinguishes between assisted and unassisted attempts. High assisted above-the-break three percentage indicates benefiting from teammate creation through drive-and-kick, ball movement, or screens. High unassisted above-the-break percentage demonstrates self-creation ability valuable for offensive initiation when ball movement creates no advantages. Movement shooting above the break measures efficiency on threes taken after player movement (running off screens, relocating, etc.) versus stationary spot-ups. Elite movement shooters maintain efficiency while shooting on the move above the break, a difficult skill requiring excellent footwork and shot preparation. This ability enables off-ball value beyond corner stationing. Above-the-break three volume matters significantly for offensive impact. A player shooting 40 percent above the break on 1 attempt per game provides minimal value compared to 37 percent on 5 attempts per game. Volume-efficiency combinations determine total production: moderate efficiency at high volume often outproduces elite efficiency at minimal volume. Step-back above-the-break three efficiency indicates shot creation against closeout pressure. Elite step-back shooters like James Harden and Luka Doncic convert step-backs at 36-38+ percent despite difficulty of creating separation and shooting off the dribble. This skill makes them unguardable in isolation: play tight to prevent step-backs, they drive; give space, they step back for threes. Screens and hand-offs creating above-the-break threes measure how often and efficiently players convert threes coming off teammate screens or hand-offs. This play type creates rhythm catch-and-shoot opportunities above the break, typically converting at 38-41 percent for capable shooters. Volume of threes created through screens indicates system involvement and teammate screening. Clutch above-the-break three percentage reveals pressure shooting from above the break in crucial late-game moments. Some players maintain efficiency in clutch situations, demonstrating composure and skill under pressure. Others show declines. Clutch above-the-break shooting combined with creation ability defines elite closers who can create and convert crucial late-game threes. Playoff above-the-break three efficiency often declines from regular season as defenses intensify, closeouts improve, and help rotations accelerate. Players maintaining above-the-break efficiency in playoffs demonstrate shooting skill translating to high-stakes situations. Significant playoff drops indicate struggles against enhanced defensive attention and game planning. Age effects on above-the-break three shooting show development in young players as range extends, peak efficiency in prime years, and often maintenance or improvement in later career as experience compensates for any athletic decline. Above-the-break three shooting can age well as it relies more on mechanics and timing than athleticism, unlike finishing at the rim. Above-the-break three benchmarks for evaluation indicate 37+ percent represents solid efficiency, 39+ percent very good, and 41+ percent elite (especially on significant volume). Combined with volume (3+ attempts per game), these percentages identify valuable multi-location three-point threats distinguishing them from corner-only specialists. Defensive scheme effects on above-the-break three frequency and efficiency show that defenses emphasizing three-point prevention reduce opponent above-the-break three percentage through better closeouts and contests. Drop coverage might concede above-the-break pull-ups while protecting the rim. Aggressive switching might prevent some above-the-break creation while creating others from mismatches. Shot clock timing affects above-the-break three quality: early clock attempts (0-10 seconds) in transition and early offense succeed at higher rates, middle clock maintains efficiency through offensive sets, and late clock often forces contested above-the-break bailouts reducing efficiency. This pattern encourages early above-the-break three creation when available. Above-the-break three gravity (defensive attention drawn) extends beyond makes to include how closely defenders guard above-the-break threats and how defenses shade toward them. Elite above-the-break shooters command tight defensive attention opening driving lanes and creating advantages even without shooting. This gravity value exceeds statistical production. Role definition through above-the-break shooting distinguishes primary creators (high above-the-break frequency including pull-ups and creation), movement shooters (high above-the-break frequency primarily catch-and-shoot), and corner specialists (low above-the-break frequency emphasizing corners). Understanding role through shot distribution optimizes offensive positioning and usage. Above-the-break three development increasingly emphasizes pull-up creation for guards and wings, movement shooting for off-ball players, and basic spot-up competency for all positions. Modern skill development includes extensive above-the-break three repetitions across contexts: catch-and-shoot, off movement, pull-ups, creating complete three-point arsenals. Limitations of above-the-break three percentage include aggregating diverse shot types (catch-and-shoot, pull-up, contested, open) obscuring important quality differences, sample size creating noise in percentage estimates, and missing shot creation context (difficulty, defender quality). More granular metrics separating shot types provide clearer evaluation. The future of above-the-break three analysis will involve enhanced shot quality metrics accounting for defender proximity, creation method, and movement patterns. Expected above-the-break three percentage based on shot characteristics enables evaluating whether players exceed or fall short of expectations. Machine learning could identify optimal above-the-break shooting locations and contexts for individual players. In contemporary basketball analytics, Above the Break Three shooting represents a crucial component of comprehensive three-point evaluation, measuring efficiency and frequency from the majority of three-point locations. While slightly less efficient than corner threes, above-the-break attempts include essential shot types (pull-ups, wing catch-and-shoot, transition threes) that define offensive versatility and creation ability. Teams use above-the-break three metrics for player evaluation, shot selection optimization, role definition, and strategic planning. As three-point shooting continues dominating modern basketball, above-the-break three analysis will remain fundamental for understanding perimeter shooting and offensive efficiency.