3v3 Basketball Rules

(updated 6/11/25)

AT NO TIME CAN A TEAM PICKUP PLAYERS THAT WOULD GIVE THEM MORE THAN 3 PLAYERS. If a team has the correct number of players to play, no pickups are allowed. If a team is short and picks up a player and then a roster players shows up the pickup player must be removed from the game.

NO ALCOHOL AT THE GYM!!!

1. GAME PLAY

1. Game play is half court, 3v3.
2. Games will be self-officiated on the honor system.
3. The match consists of three games. Team will play all 3 games regardless of outcome of games 1 and 2. There will be a 2 minute break between games 1 and 2, and a 5 minute break between games 2 and 3.
4. Games will be 15 minute games with a running clock or 21 points, winning by 2 with a hard cap at 23 points. With one (1) minute left in the game, the court supervisor will call out the remaining time. In the event of a tie, next basket wins.
5. Captains will rock, paper, scissors at the beginning of the game to determine possession.
6. Each basket is two (2) points or three (3) if shot behind the arc.
7. The defensive team will take the ball out after a score (basket) by the opposing team.
8. Teams must clear ALL change of possessions beyond the 3-point line. Both feet and the ball must cross the line.
9. All throw-ins will take place near half court after checking the ball to the opponent. Players must then pass the ball in to a teammate, rather than dribbling immediately.
10. Alternate possessions will take place for jump balls. A disputed out of bounds call will be treated as a jump ball and be determined by alternating possession “arrow”.
11. Fouls will be called by either team. No free throws. Fouls reset possession at half court.

1. Each team will have 3 challenges per game to challenge a foul. The challenger’s team will shoot a 3 point shot from the top of the key. If they make it, they win the challenge.
2. Teams can only challenge fouls, not judgement calls like out of bounds, 3 point calls, etc.

12. Players can be ejected by the court supervisor if fouls are excessive in nature or for acts of unsportsmanlike conduct.
13. No points allowed for an offensive foul.
14. No stalling. Teams that are stalling can be penalized with a loss of possession.
15. Teams are responsible for calling out the score after each basket and calling fouls on the honor system.
16. Teams must report the score of each game immediately to the coordinator.

2. PLAYER CONDUCT

1. Abusive and profane language will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediate disqualification.
2. Games are self officiated, but on-site staff can issue ejections.
3. Should an ejection result from abuse of players or staff, the player may be suspended one or more games. Any reported abuse of the staff or players after a game or after an ejection may result in suspensions of one or more games. The first offense the player will be suspended for a minimum of one week, including any games on other nights with Club Sport. The second offense will result minimally in suspension from all Club Sport basketball leagues for the remainder of the season. A third offense will result in permanent removal from all Club Sport leagues.
4. Any player or fan is encouraged to root for their own team but rooting against teams or use of disparaging language is discouraged and could result in penalties of players or dismissals of fans. Any fans of teams may be asked to leave by Club Sport staff. Refusal to leave could result in forfeiture of games.

3. PICKUP PLAYERS 

1. Pickup players are NOT allowed in the tournament.
2. Any pickup players during the regular season must be signed on a TBCS roster (not just the scoring sheet) for a team that plays on the same night and only if a team has only 2 roster players.
3. Pickups must be brought to the attention of the referee BEFORE the game or a forfeit may be issued.
4. Teams may pick up up to one player at no penalty in order to field a minimum team number. If more players from your team show up to allow subs, the pickup player must be removed from the game.

4. ADDING TO YOUR TEAM 

1. Teams that made team payments have 6 roster spots included with their team cost.  
2. Teams with less than 6 players on their roster may add players up to 6 total players at no cost (there are no replacements of signed players).  If the team has made a team payment and wish to go over 6 players they may do so at the cost of $10/player.
3. In leagues that allow individual payments, team rosters will be capped at 6 players if free agents have been added.  If no free agents have been added players, or a team is short of 6 players, players may add to the team at a pro-rated cost (please contact the office to add/pay for pro-rated player additions).

5. ELIGIBLE PLAYERS 

1. All players, including added players, must sign the roster waiver BEFORE the final game of the season in order to be eligible to play in the tournament. If a player is not signed in on the roster by then, they are not eligible for the tournament.
2. Playing with ineligible players in the tournament may result in a forfeit. This call will be made by TBCS staff.
3. Roster Checks: Players have the right to ask for a roster check of the opposing team. The request must be made with the coordinator either before, during the first half, or at halftime of the game. Roster checks are not available once the second half has started unless a player shows up late. If it is found that the opposing team is playing with an “illegal player”  (i.e. not on that team’s roster or not signed) then staff reserves the right to remove the player and/or forfeit the game. Club Sport staff decisions are final.
4. Women are allowed to play in men’s leagues.  No special coed rules will apply.

6. REFUNDS 

1. TBCS is not responsible for any refunds at any time during the season.
2. Only unsigned players may be replaced and it is the responsibility of the replaced player to make compensation arrangements with the team or player replacing them after the start of the season.

7. TOURNAMENT is single elimination with seeding based on regular season standings. All teams make the tournament.
8. TOURNAMENT SEEDINGS will be based on the following criteria (based on won-lost-tie percentage where applicable): 1) winning percentage, 2) head-to-head play (with 2 teams tied, 3 or more tied teams go to differential), 3) overall points differential  4) most points scored 5) coin flip.