3 vs 3 Basketball Rules
I.
II..
III.
Court
A. The game is played in an area the size of half a basketball court.
With lines that illustrate a free throw line, paint area, and 3 point
line. Out of bounds will represent anything outside of the court
area such as, end of the concrete or pavement line, grass, gravel,
and etc. When game begins, the (Top of the Key) will represent
anywhere behind the 3pt line of the basketball court.
Players
A. Each team consists of 3 active players. A team must have 2 players
to start and continue a game. Substitutions may be made by a
team in control of the ball behind the check-line (Top of the key).
The offense must shout sub and then hand the ball to the nearest
defensive player. The defensive team may substitute at this time
as well. Once all subs have been made, the defensive team will
bounce pass the ball to the offense to show they are ready and the
offense will restart the game by in-bounding from the check line
(top of the key).
B. Only 2 current varsity or jv basketball players will be allowed per
team. During games only 1 current varsity or jv player will be
allowed on the court on each team.
C. Teams are required to wear matching colored shirts with
individual designated numbers on the back as chosen during team
registration.
General Play and Scoring
A. The game will begin by either a coin toss or alternating free throw
attempts. The method will be chosen by the teams. A coin toss
will start the game if both teams cannot agree.
B. Play will always begin with the offense checking the ball at the
(top of the key) or clearly behind the free throw line and one
offensive pass. (This includes fouls, out of bounds, and all other
starts after a dead ball). Teams do not need to inbound on missed
baskets but on defense rebounds (and other live ball changes of
possession), a player on the new offensive team with the ball must
get both feet clearly behind the 3pt line before the team can make
a basket.
C. After the defense checks the ball back to the offensive team, the
offense will have up to 10 seconds to pass the ball to a teammate.
If it is not passed within 10 seconds, it will result in a turnover and
the defense will receive the ball.
D. A basket made by an unchecked ball or offensive players feet not
clearly stepping behind the 3pt line will not count and possession
will go to the opponent.
E. Each basket shot and made is either worth 2pts inside the 3pt line
or 3pts outside the 3pt line.
IV.
V.
F. A free throw is a normal free throw where the ball is live if missed.
Players may enter the lane after the ball has touched the room. If
not the offensive player will have another chance to make a free
throw. Free throws will only be attempted during the last 2
minutes of play where the clock will be stopped during dead balls.
G. The team leading at the end of the 40 minute time limit (two 20
minute halves) will win. In case of a tie at the end of the 40
minutes, the winner will be decided by the next basket made.
(Possession of overtime will result in either a coin toss or rock,
paper, scissors).
H. Jump balls will result in possession determining who did not have
the ball during a previous jump ball scenario. If there was no
previous jump ball scenario, the ball will be given to the team that
did not win the opening coin toss.
Timing
A. Each team will receive 2 timeouts per half. The timeout shall be 1
minute long. Unused timeouts do not carry over to the 2nd half or
overtime. Each overtime will have 1 timeout per team.
B. In order to call a timeout, the team must have control of the ball
or the ball must be dead for the defense to call a timeout.
C. Each game will be two 20 minute halves. The first half will have a
running clock and only stopped for disputes, injuries, or timeouts.
The 2nd half will also be a running clock until the last 2 minutes of
the game. ( The clock will be stopped for all fouls, checking the
ball, disputes, free throws or if a ref needs to stop the game for
any reason at all.)
Checking the Ball
A. Each time a ball changes possession by either the offense scoring
or a dead ball, the ball must be checked. A checked ball will begin
when each team is ready and the offense passes the ball to the
defender behind the 3pt line and the defense bounce passes it
back to the offense. Any unchecked ball that is made in the basket
will not count and will result in the ball given to the opposing
team to be checked.
B. Note: An offensive rebound is not a change in possession; loss of
player control is not always a loss of team possession; scoring a
basket is a change of possession. If an offensive player attempts a
shot but does not hit the rim or backboard and the defensive team
rebounds the ball, the new offensive team must make sure player
with the ball has both feet outside the 3pt line in order to
transition team possession of the ball.
C. Dead ball checking is done following subs, settlement of disputes,
or any other reason the game is delayed.
VI.
Fouls
A. Fouls and disputes will only be called by the referee. Rules for
fouls will consists of NCAA normal basketball fouls. If a foul is
called the ball will be rechecked and the ball rewarding to the
team that did not cause the foul.
B. Each player will have will have a max of 5 fouls per game. After
the 5th foul, the player will no longer be able to play the rest of the
game.
C. Each team will also have team fouls. After the 6th team foul, the
opposing team will then attempt 1 and 1 free throws. If the first
free throw is made, the shooter gets another chance to make
another free throw attempt. If the shooter misses, the ball is live
for ether team to play. After the 9th team foul, the shooter who got
fouled will automatically attempt 2 free throws. If all free throws
are made the ball will be given to the opposing team to be checked
at the top of the key.
D. Players may be disqualified from the play or ejected from the
court with fewer than 5 fouls at the referees preference for
actions such as, flagrant fouls, vulgarity, misconduct, etc. Such an
ejection may result in temporary or permanent suspension from
intramural play at the discretion of the Intramural director(s).