3X3 Rules

There are a few rule differences between FIBA 3X3 and Spark Basketball 3X3. This video is a great resource for understanding the rules and all differences are found below.

The game of 3x3 is played on a half court with one basket. A regular 3x3 court playing surface in official competitions is approximately 49' wide x 36' deep (15 meters x 11 meters), with regular basketball court markings, including a 19-foot (5.8 meters) free throw line, a 22-foot (6.75 meters) 2-point line, and a “no-charge semi-circle” area underneath the one basket. Half of a traditional basketball court may be used.

Each team shall consist of 5 players (3 players on the court and 2 substitute).

The game shall consist of 1 facilitator responsible for maintaining order and keeping score.

Rock, Paper, Scissors shall determine which team gets the first possession. The team that wins the RPS can either choose to benefit from the ball possession at the beginning of the game or at the beginning of a potential overtime.

• Every successful shot inside the arc shall be awarded 1 point.
• Every successful shot behind the arc shall be awarded 2 points.
• Every non-shooting foul shall be awarded 1 point and the ball.
• Every shooting foul shall be awarded the value of the shot and possession goes to opponent.

The regular playing time shall be as follows: one period of 12 minutes playing time. The clock will not stop and substitutions will be made every 3 minutes.

The first team to score 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 a potential overtime).

If the score is tied at the end of playing time, free throws will decide the winner. The first team to make a free throw wins. Team that starts the game on defense gets the first free throw attempt.

A non shooting foul will result in 1 point and the ball.

Fouls during the act of shooting inside the arc shall be awarded 1 point, whilst fouls during the act of shooting behind the arc shall be awarded 2 points.

Fouls during the act of shooting followed by a successful field goal shall receive an additional point.

In the event of an unsportsmanlike or technical foul 2 points and possession will be awarded.

Following each successful field goal:

• 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 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:

• If the offensive team rebounds the ball, it may continue to attempt to score without returning the ball behind the arc.
• If the defensive team rebounds or steals the ball, it must return the ball behind the arc (by passing or dribbling).

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 stepping on the arc.

In the event of a jump ball situation, the defensive team shall be awarded the ball.

Stalling or failing to play actively (i.e. not attempting to score) shall be a violation.

If the court is equipped with a shot clock, a team must attempt a shot within 15 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).

If the court is not equipped with a shot clock and a team is not sufficiently trying to attack the basket, the facilitator shall give them a warning by counting the last 5 seconds.

Substitutions will take place every 3 minutes. Substitutions must be equal and follow a consistent pattern. The facilitator will be in charge of making sure this happens in a timely fashion.

A player committing an unsportsmanlike foul will be subbed out of the game by the next teammate in order by the facilitator. If that player commits a second unsportsmanlike foul that session they will be suspended for the remainder of the weekly session by the gym supervisor. Independent thereof, the gym supervisor will disqualify the player(s) from the event for acts of violence, verbal or physical aggression, tortuous interference in game results.