3v3 Adult Basketball League Rules

The intent of these Rules and Policies is to provide reasonable safety and protection, to create an atmosphere of good sportsmanship and fair play, and to establish consistent guidelines for The L3agv3.

There should be zero complaints or issues with these policies; they are simply enforcing the honesty and good sportsmanship NPJSC relies upon for success and enjoyment for all.

There is a zero tolerance policy for fighting or contact/aggressive behavior towards referees. Players involved will serve a suspension (length dependent on manager and official review) and will be immediately required to leave the gym.

1. Keeping Score:

• All baskets made from on or inside the 3-point arc count for two points. All baskets made from outside the 3-point arc count for 3 points. 4 point box shots at the top of the courts count for 4 points if made.  Free throws count for one point each. Games are played to 24 points with a 15-minute time limit and 14 second shot clock.

2. Game length and overtime provisions:

• Games will be played to 24 points straight up with a 15 minute running clock. At the end of the 15-minute time limit, if neither team has reached 24 points, the team with the most points wins.

• If at the end of the game neither team has reached 24 points and the game is tied, overtime provisions are activated.

• In overtime, it will be a 1v1 game.

• First to 5 points keeping the same scoring rules.

• No timeouts during overtime.

• 3 dribbles allowed by the offensive player.

• Offensive player can start from anywhere on the court beyond the 3 point line

• The possession will flip after every made basket (no winners)

3. Which team receives the ball first: 

• A coin toss prior to each game will determine which team gets first possession.

• Visiting team will call the coin toss

4. Who calls fouls: The referee or court monitor assigned to that court will call the fouls. All missed shooting fouls shall result in two free throw shots, all three point shot fouls will result in three free throws. On successful field goals, the basket counts and one free throw shot is awarded. On the 6th and subsequent team fouls, two free throws are awarded. A change of possession results following the last free throw shot, regardless of whether the free throw is made or missed, except for intentional or flagrant fouls, as described in 4A, 4B, and 4C. 

• A. Intentional Fouls: An intentional foul is a foul designed to neutralize an opponent’s obvious advantageous position. It is a foul which, based on a referee’s observation of the act, is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball. A foul shall also be ruled intentional, based on the referee’s observation of the act, if while attempting to play a ball, a player causes excessive contact. An intentional foul results in two free throw shots and the offended team maintains possession of the ball, which is taken at the backcourt line. The court monitor, referee, or league official’s decision is final.

• B. Flagrant Fouls: A flagrant foul may be of a violent or savage nature, or an act, which displays unacceptable conduct. It may or may not be intentional. It may also involve dead ball contact or dialogue which is extreme or persistent, savage or abusive. A flagrant foul results in two free throw shots and the offended team maintains possession of the ball, which is taken out at the backcourt line. The player committing the foul will be suspended from play for the remainder of that game. The court monitor, referee, or league official’s decision is final. Further, any ejection will be reviewed and removal from the remainder of the league will be left up to the sole discretion of the league Director.

• C. Technical Fouls: All technical fouls, including taunting, baiting, trash talking, and profanity will result in two free throws and possession of the ball. A second technical foul will result in disqualification for the remainder of the game.

• D. Foul Limits: 5 per team= 1 and 1 after the 8th foul players will shoot 2 free throws

5. Sportsmanship: Good Sportsmanship and cooperation is both anticipated and expected. Any questions should be directed to the court monitor at your court. The team captain or designated parent, if applicable, is expected to aid in controlling teammates and team followers’ conduct and to represent his/her team in case of appeals to the court monitor. Poor sportsmanship could result in penalties against the team in either the intentional, flagrant, or technical foul categories. Disqualification of a player or an entire team from the remainder of the game is left to the sole discretion of the NPJSC Staff.

6. Checked ball: The ball must be “checked” by an opposing player before it is put into play. The ball must be passed to begin play. 

7. Timeouts: Each team is allowed a single, 30-second timeout per regulation game. The game clock will stop during all timeouts.

8. Substitutions: Substitutions may be made during time out or “dead ball” situations. No subs on the fly.

9. Change of possession: The ball will change possession after scored baskets. There will be no “make it, take it” rule. NO BREAK - Team must take it out past the 3 point line before advancing to the basket.

10. Jump ball: In a jump ball situation, the ball will first go to the team that lost the opening coin toss, alternating possessions thereafter.

11. Ball out-of-bounds: A ball out of–bounds or any other violation will be taken out from the top of the key

12. Boundaries: The basket structure, padding, and support will be played as out-of-bounds.

13. Taking it back: The ball will be “taken back” on each change of possession, regardless or whether or not a shot was attempted. “Taking it back” means all three points (ball and both feet) must be behind the “take it back” line. The three-point line does not constitute the “take it back” line. It shall be a violation for a team to attempt a shot without first having properly “taken back” the ball. The penalty for attempting a shot without having properly “taken it back” is a loss of possession.

14. Forfeits: Forfeits happen when 1 or less players show up within 5 min of the clock starting. Clock will start at the designated starting time. Teams will have a 5 minute grace period *If agreed upon by both captains for players to show up on the court. Forfeits with less than a 3 hour notice will result in a $15 team fee for the forfeiting team. Forfeits will result in a +/- 10 point differential.

Game Policies

1. Number of players: Six players per team maximum. A team can have only three or fewer players on the court at one time. For all co-ed teams, a member of both sexes must be on the court at all times. Home teams are always darker color (Black) and Away teams lighter color (White).

A. Playoffs:

At the conclusion of the 8 weeks, the top 8 teams will be seeded and play a single elimination playoff to crown the champion (week 9).

B. Tiebreaker seeding rules: Record - Point Differential - Head to head games

In the event of a two-team tie, the outcome is decided by the total point differential. If tied, the winner of the previous head to head games between the two tied teams will be seeded ahead of the other. If three or more teams are involved in a tie, the winner will be determined by the point differential for all games played, with no maximum for the differential.

2. Dunking: Dunking allowed, no hanging on the rim unless its to prevent injury from landing on a player. Excessive hanging on the rim will result in a technical foul.

3. Player injury: A court monitor or referee has the discretion to suspend play for the protection of an injured player. If a player is bleeding or has an open wound, that player will be directed to leave the game and properly bandage the wound. If it is believed that a player has lost consciousness during a game, or is severely injured, NPJSC may require a written note from a medical doctor authorizing that player to continue to participate in the league.

4. We are in charge: Designated league officials shall have the power to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the Rules and Policies. NPJSC officials also reserve the right to disqualify any team for infractions of league policies, including the following:

A. Use of illegal players: The players listed on a team entry are the only ones eligible to play on that team. Player changes must be submitted and approved before a team’s first game. Before the beginning of the League, every player must sign the Release & Waiver and Sportsmanship Pledge. Any team using a player not properly registered will be disqualified from the League.

B. False information: Information provided on your team entry form is the basis for division scheduling and is expected to be both accurate and complete. Players listing inaccurate information on these forms may be disqualified from the league.

C. Unsportsmanlike conduct deemed to be excessive by NPJSC.

5. Game times: Each team is advised to check with NPJSC staff for all official schedules, times, courts, revisions, and general game information. Teams must be ready to begin play at their scheduled start time. Teams not at their court for their scheduled game are given a five-minute grace period before a forfeit is enforced.

6. Adding or changing a player: Player additions or changes must be done before the beginning of your first game

7. No Refunds: Refunds will only be given should a league dissipate less than halfway through the league term. Individual teams may request refunds BUT the decision is up to the league manager whether their request constitutes a full, partial, or no refund. Decisions are dependent on situations. Expect to play if you pay!