3v3 Basketball Rulebook
Section 1: Court, Ball, & Teams
- Court: Half-court setup on a standard basketball court with one hoop.
- Ball: Official Size 7 Basketball 29.5 inches in diameter.
- Roster: Each team consists of 3 players on the court and up to 4 substitutes (maximum 7 players per team).
- Game Start: To start the first game a volunteer will shoot from beyond the 3-point line for possession if they miss it is the opposing team’s possession to start the game. To start the second game the team who started on defense to start the first game will begin with possession. In the event of a third game the team who began with initial possession to start the first game will gain possession for the first game.
Section 2: Game Clock & Scoring
- Format: Game’s will run through a best two-of-three format with a 1-minute water break between games. A third game is only played if it is needed to break the tiebreaker.
- Target Score: First team to 11 points within regulation wins but their score must outweigh the opponents score by 2 points.
- Scoring Values:
- 1 Point: Field goals made inside the arc (2-point line) or successful free throws.
- 2 Points: Field goals made from behind the arc.
Section 3: Gameplay & Live Ball Rules
1. How the Ball Is Cleared
- After any defensive rebound, steal, or block, the ball must be cleared behind the 2-point line before the new offensive team can attempt a shot.
- "Clearing" requires both feet of the player with the ball to be completely behind the 2-point line (passing back behind the line also satisfies the rule).
2. Following a Made Basket
- The non-scoring team takes possession at the top of the key from beyond the 3-point line.
- They must pass the ball behind the arc to clear it before attempting a shot.
3. Dead Balls & Check-Ball
- After any stoppages (out of bounds, fouls, held ball, etc.):
- Play resumes with a Check-Ball exchange at the top of the 2-point arc between defender and offensive player.
- Once the defender hands/passes the ball to the offensive player and they catch it, the ball is live but still must be passed in.
4. Ball movement:
- Referee’s are allowed to use their discretion to enforce “consistent ball movement.”
5. Substitutions
- Substitutions can be made by either team during any dead-ball situation before the check-ball exchange but must be communicated to the official.
Section 4: Fouls, Free Throws, & Penalty Limits
- Personal Fouls: Individual player fouls are not typically recorded to cause a foul-out, but unsportsmanlike behavior results in ejection.
- Shooting Fouls:
- A shooting foul inside or outside of the arc results in the fouled team’s possession up top.
- On a shooting foul that occurs on a made basket the point/points count and the team gains possession up top.
Section 5: Sportsmanship & Violations
- Technical/Unsportsmanlike Fouls: Results in 1 point plus possession for the opposing team.
- Out of Bounds: Standard basketball rules apply. The line is out of bounds.
