The main rules of 3x3 are as follows:
- 1 basket on 1 half-court
- 2 teams of 3 players and up to 1 substitute per team (4 players maximum per team)
- 12-seconds shot-clock
- 1st team to reach 21 points or best after 10 minutes win
Rules & Regulations
The rules of the game aim to favour good flow and fair play. In addition, they should take into account the different levels of equipment and tournament/leagues circumstances, thus some articles of the rules are divided into the categories:
U10-18+ - Light rules
Official 3x3 Rules of the Game
Court
The game will be played on a basketball half court with one (1) basket. A regular 3x3 court playing surface is 15m (width) and 11m (length). The court shall have a regular basketball playing court-sized zone, including a free throw line (5.8m), a 2-point line (6.75m) and a “no-charge semi-circle” area underneath the one basket.
Teams
Each team shall consist of 4 players - 3 players on the court and 1 substitute.
Beginning of the Game
Both teams shall warm-up simultaneously prior to the game. A coin flip shall determine which team gets the first possession. The team that wins the coin flip can either choose to benefit from the ball possession at the beginning of the game or at the beginning of a potential overtime.
Playing Time/Winner of a Game
The regular playing time shall be as follows:
1 period of 10 minutes playing time. The clock shall be stopped during dead ball situations and free throws. The clock shall be restarted after the exchange of the ball is completed (as soon as it is in the offensive team’s hands).
The first team which scores 21 points or more wins the game if it happens before the end of regular playing time. This rule applies to regular playing time only (not in potential overtime).
If the score is tied at the end of playing time, an extra period of time will be played. There shall be an interval of 1 minute before the overtime starts. The first team to score 2 points in the overtime wins the game.
A team shall lose the game by forfeit if at the scheduled starting time the team is not present on the playing court with 3 players ready to play.
Note: if a game clock is not available the running time’s length is at the organizer’s discretion.
Scoring
Every shot inside the arc shall be awarded 1 point.
Every shot behind the arc shall be awarded 2 points.
Every successful free throw shall be awarded 1 point.
Game Officials
Full rules: The game officials shall consist of 1 referee and 2 time/score keepers.
Light rules: The game officials shall consist of 1 court manager and 1 time/score keeper.
Fouls/Free Throws
A team is in a team foul situation when it has committed 7 fouls.
A player who has committed 4 fouls must leave the game.
Fouls during the act of shooting inside the arc shall be awarded 1 free throw.
Fouls during the act of shooting behind the arc shall be awarded 2 free throws.
Fouls during the act of shooting followed by a successful field goal shall be awarded 1 additional free throw.
Non-shooting fouls under penalty foul situation shall be awarded 1 free throw.
Stalling
Stalling or failing to play actively by attempting to score shall be a violation.
If the court is equipped with a shot clock, a team must attempt a shot within 12 seconds. The clock shall start as soon as the ball is in the offensive players’ hands (following the exchange with the defensive player or after a successful field goal underneath the basket).
Note: If the court is not equipped with a shot clock and a team is not sufficiently trying to attack the basket, the referee shall give them a warning by counting the last 5 seconds.
How the Ball is Played
Following each successful field goal or last free-throw:
A player from a non-scoring team will resume the game by dribbling or passing the ball from inside the court directly underneath the basket (not from behind the end line) to a place on the court behind the arc. The defensive team is not allowed to play for the ball in the “no-charge semi-circle area” underneath the basket.
Following each unsuccessful field goal or last free-throw:
-If the offensive team rebounds the ball, it may continue to attempt the score without returning the ball behind the arc.
-If the defensive team rebounds the ball, it must return the ball behind the arc (by passing or dribbling).
Following a steal, a turnover, etc.:
If it happens inside the arc, the ball need not be passed/dribbled to a place behind the arc.
Possession of the ball given to either team following any dead ball situation, shall start with an exchange of the ball (between the defensive and the offensive player) behind the arc at the top of the court.
A player is considered to be “behind the arc” when neither of his feet are inside nor step the arc.
In the event of a jump ball situation, the defensive team shall be rewarded the ball.
Substitution
Substitutions can be done by any team when the ball becomes dead, prior to the check-ball. The substitute can enter the game after his teammate steps off the court and establishes a physical contact with him. Substitutions can only take place behind the end line opposite the basket and substitutions require no action from the referees or table officials.
Time-outs
1 - 30-second time-out is granted to each team. A player can call the time-out in a dead ball situation.
Standings of teams
Both in pools and in overall competition standings, the following classification rules apply. If teams are tied after the first step, refer to the next one – and so on.
1. Most wins
2. Head-to-head confrontation (only taking win/loss into account and applies within pools only)
3. Most points score
