3V3 Rules Summary

Double Elimination Tournament (each team is guaranteed 2 games)

Who gets ball first?

  • A coin toss decides.

Time

  • 15 minutes running clock (only stops for injuries or unusual situations at discretion of official).

Scoring

  • Inside the arc = 1 point

  • Outside the arc = 2 points

  • Play to 15 points (no win by 2)

Overtime

  • Only needed if neither team reaches 15 points in the 15 minutes game time.

  • FIRST CHECK: If either team leads by 2 points or greater, that team is the winner.

  • If not, the first team to score a total of 2 points more than the leading team’s score at the beginning of the overtime session, or reach 15 points, is the winner.

    • EXAMPLE:

      • Score of 10 to 10: The first team to 12 wins.

      • Score of 8 to 7: The first team to 10 wins.

      • Score of 14 to 12: No overtime is needed since the leading team has at least a 2 point lead.

      • Score of 14 to 13: The first team to 15 wins.

  • Coin flip for first possession.

Fouls

  • Officials will call CLEAR and OBVIOUS fouls that interfere with gameplay. Controlling the game is the number one goal, while keeping the quality of gameplay balanced with the time limits.

  • Any Technical or intentional fouls = 1 free throw shot with retained possession after shot

  • Shooting fouls called on shots inside the arc award 1 free throw. A foul on a shot outside the arc awards 2 free throws. Possession change occurs after the shooting foul free throw(s) attempted. 

  • Team Fouls #1-6: Fouls result in possession at the top of key, with “check” and then “pass or dribble” into play.

  • Team Fouls #7+: Fouls result in 1 free throw shot with possession change afterwards no matter if shot is made or missed.

  • All free throws are dead balls.

  • If a non-shooting foul is committed as time expires, a free throw will be awarded to the fouled player.

  • Officials' decisions are FINAL.

Possession

  • The ball must change possession after scored baskets and after all free throw attempts with the exception of a Technical, Intentional or Flagrant foul. There is no “make it, take it” rule.

Checking It/Taking it Back

  • The ball must be “checked” by an opposing player before it is put into play. The check-in must occur behind the take back line. The player with the ball must pass or dribble/pass the ball first to begin play. 

  • The ball will be “taken back” on each change of possession behind the take back line.

  • The take back line is a line that extends from the top of the arch horizontally to each boundary. A player cannot take it back in the corners. 

Jump Ball

  • In a Jump Ball scenario, possession goes to the defense.

Stalling

  • Prohibited at all times and results in a free throw and loss of possession. Court officials will call any stalling violations. 

Dunking

  • Is allowed, but any excessive hanging on the rims will result in a technical foul.