Winter Series- 3x3 Basketball Rules

1. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME is to outscore your opponent by shooting the ball into the basketball more times than your opponent.  The ball can be advanced around the court with the hands only, either by dribbling or passing to teammates.  Below is a summary of how “3-on-3 Streetball” differs from “Basketball” in not only the rules themselves, but also the atmosphere in which the game is to be played – that is, with FUN FIRST attitude!
2. DURATION OF THE GAME- Each game will be 10minutes
3. THE COURT The game shall be played on one half of a standard Basketball court. Some variations may vary depending on venue, and location of courts.  
4. THE TEAM The number of players required on the court, for this league is three (3).
   • Only three (3) players allowed on the court at any one time.
   • There must be a minimum of one (1) female and one (1) male on the court always.
   • This league requires your team to have a minimum of three (3) players, including one (1) female and (1) male to start the game.
   • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy
5. SUBSTITUTIONS can be made after a basket, a foul or stoppage of play.  Players coming onto the court must wait until the player with whom they are substituting has come off the court.
6. HOW TO SCORE All baskets made from inside the 3-point line will count as one point.  All baskets beyond the 3-point line will count for two points.  All converted foul shots will count as one point. 
   • Winners need only win by one (1) point. 
   • If a game is tied at the end of regulation, the winner will be determined by a shootout.  The shootout will consist of three players from each team shooting free throws.  A coin flip will decide the order that the teams shoot.  Each player will shoot one free throw.  The team with the highest total made will be the winner.  If there remains a tie, a sudden-victory shootout will occur (equal opportunities, until one team makes and the other misses).
7. STARTING PLAY Each team will “shoot to start” to see who will start off with the first possession of the game. Each team will nominate one player to shoot from the free throw line. If that player misses, the other team will have a shot from the free throw line. The first team to make the basket will start with the ball. The ball is “checked” to the team with first possession of the game at the top of the 3-point arc, and the game begins.
8. THE “CHECK” The imaginary “check line” is the 3-point line.  The “check” phase is performed by one team passing the ball to another team at the top of the imaginary 3-point line. 
9. GAME PLAY:  
   • Winners need only win by one (1) point. 
   • The game starts with the team winning the “shoot-out” checking the ball to the defensive team.
   • In the event of a basket, there is a change of possession, such as the team who scored becomes the defensive team.  Play will commence with the “new offense” taking possession with a ‘check’ at the top of the 3-point arc.
   • On defensive rebounds or steals, the ball needs to be taken anywhere beyond the imaginary line corresponding to the top of the 3-point arc.
   • The defence must take the ball behind the check line on any play in which they gain possession.  Whether or not the ball has been shot or has touched the rim does NOT affect this rule. 
   • In the event that the defence obtains possession and does not take the ball behind the check line AND then attempts a shot, the shot and any related activity will be disregarded and a turnover will result. 
   • The “new defence” is awarded the ball behind the check line.
10. SHOT CLOCK Each team will be required to take a shot at the basket within 30 seconds after taking possession from the check.  This rule has been implemented to eliminate a team from stalling to retain possession near the end of the game.  Violations of this rule, including non-legitimate shots, will result in an offensive turnover and possession for the defending team, with the game starting with a check at the top of the 3-point arc.
11. FOULS Teams will call their own fouls.  An individual player cannot foul out of a game, but may be ejected for any cause by the Event Host.  Streetball fouls are penalties assessed for rough play to keep a player from gaining an unfair advantage over another player.  PLEASE SEE LIST OF FOULS AT END OF RULES FOR EXAMPLES
    • Non-shooting fouls will result in the player who is fouled being awarded the ball out of bounds.
    • A shooting foul with a missed basket will result in the player who is fouled being awarded 2 free throws.  A shooting foul with a made basketball will result in the basket counting and the player who is fouled being awarded 1 free throw.
    • Offensive fouls shall result in disallowing any converted basket and loss of possession.
12. VIOLATIONS The Streetball basic rules include numerous ball handling and time violations that cause a team to lose possession of the ball. Here are some common violations. In Streetball, minor travels and “carries” will largely be played on, as some “trick moves” performed by players may involve “bending” the traditional rules of basketball.
    • Backcourt Violation– As Streetball is played on half of the court, traditional “backcourt” is simply the half line, which in Streetball, is out of bounds.
    • Double Dribble – When a dribbler touches the ball with both hands at the same time or when the dribbler picks up the ball and then starts dribbling again.
    • Goal-Tending – Occurs when a player touches a shot ball while it is in its downward flight.
    • Lane Violation – A violation called during a free throw situation against a player who enters the lane too soon.
    • Traveling – A violation caused by moving the feet in any direction without properly dribbling the ball.  This result in a turnover, and the ball going to the opposing team at the top of the 3-point arch at the “check” line. 
13. WINNING TEAM The winner is the team with the greater number of points at the end of the game.  In the event of a draw at the end of regulation time, a “shootout” will result.  See “How to Score” for further description.
14. FAIRPLAY SYSTEM Each league night you will have an Event Host onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is a recreational league which practices a fair-play and fun-first policy, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. The Event Host will be there to make the calls not made by individuals, keep time, and help guide the games within the game play rules. The Urban Rec Event Host has the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.
15. SPORTSMANSHIP All Urban Rec participants have read and agreed to the Urban Rec Code of Conduct. We also exercise a strict Disciplinary Policy. If you are seen to be rude in any way or not playing within the respect of the rules and Code of Conduct, you will be asked by the Urban Rec Staff to sub out of the game. If after returning to the game your attitude does not improve you will be asked to leave the venue, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.

Below is a list of fouls that can be called in Streetball:

• Blocking – A personal foul caused when the defender makes illegal personal contact with an opponent who may or may not have the ball. Blocking is called when the defender impedes the progress of the opponent.
• Charging (or Player Control Foul) – A personal foul occurring when an offensive player makes contact with a defender who has already established a set position. A player with the ball must avoid contact with a stationary defender by stopping or changing direction.
• Elbowing – It is a violation for a player to swing the elbows excessively.
• Flagrant Foul – A personal or technical foul, which is violent in nature. Examples are fighting, striking, kicking, or kneeing an opponent.
• Hand Check – A personal foul caused by a defender making repeated contact with hands on the opponent.
• Holding – A personal foul caused by illegal contact with an opponent, which interferes with freedom of movement.
• Blocking Females – As per mixed basketball rules, guys are not allowed to block a girl’s shot on any part of the court. If a girl’s shot is blocked, the basketball will be counted from wherever the ball was shot from (1 point counted for a 2-point attempt, 2 points counted for a 3-point attempt). The player will also receive 1 additional free throw.