HOW DO WE PLAY 3x3?

• The game starts with a game of rock, paper, sissors between opposing captains with the winner determining which team gets the first possession. The team that wins the rock, paper, sissors can either choose to benefit from the ball possession at the beginning of the game or at the beginning of a potential overtime.

• Every shot from inside the arc (1-point field goal area) shall be awarded 1 point. Every shot from behind the arc (2-point field goal area) shall be awarded 2 points. Every successful free throw shall be awarded 1 point.

• The regular playing time shall be 1 period of 8 minutes.

• After a successful last free throw, the next offensive team is in possession of the ball. After an unsuccessful last free throw and the ball continues to be live, the ball touches or is touched by any player on the playing court.

• The first team to score 15 points or more wins the game if it happens before the end of regular playing time. This “sudden death” rule applies to the regular playing time only (not to a potential overtime).

• If the score is tied at the end of regular playing time, an overtime shall be played. The first team to score 2 points in the overtime wins the game.

• A team is in a penalty situation after it has committed 6 fouls. Players are not excluded based on the number of personal fouls

• ​If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting, that player shall be awarded a number of free throws as follows: If the shot released from the field goal area is successful, the goal shall count and, in addition, 1 free throw. 2 free throws shall be awarded as of the 7th team foul. If the shot released from inside the arc is unsuccessful, 1 free throw. 2 free throws shall be awarded as of the 7th team foul. • If the shot released from behind the arc is unsuccessful, 2 free throws.

• Unsportsmanlike and disqualifying fouls are counted as 2 fouls for team fouls purposes. The first unsportsmanlike foul of a player shall be penalized with 2 free throws, but no ball possession. All disqualifying fouls (including the second unsportsmanlike of a player) shall be penalized with 2 free throws and ball possession.

• Team fouls 7, 8 and 9 shall always be penalized with 2 free throws. Team foul 10 and any subsequent team fouls shall be penalized with 2 free throws and ball possession. This clause is applied also to unsportsmanlike fouls and to fouls on the act of shooting and

• Following each successful field goal or last free throw (except those followed by ball possession): A player from a non-scoring team shall 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 player 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 (except those followed by ball possession): If the offensive player rebounds the ball, he may continue to attempt to score without returning the ball behind the arc. If the defensive player rebounds the ball, he must return the ball behind the arc (by passing or dribbling).

• If the defensive team steals or blocks 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/resume with a checkball, i.e. an exchange of the ball (between the defensive and the offensive player) behind the arc at the top of the playing court.

• A player is considered to be “behind the arc” when neither of his feet is inside or on the arc line.

• In the event of a jump ball situation, the game shall be resumed with a check-ball for the last defensive team. 

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

• An offensive player, after the ball has been cleared, shall not dribble inside the arc with his back or side to the basket for more than 3 consecutive seconds.

• Both teams are entitled to request a substitution when the ball becomes dead prior to a check-ball or free throw. The substitute can enter the game without any prior notice to the officials or table officials while the ball is dead and the game clock is stopped. The substitutions can only take place behind the endline and require no action from the officials or table officials.