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Similarities And Differences Between 3×3 And Traditional 5v5 Basketball

In order to play or watch 3×3 basket, you need to be aware of its rules, which are straightforward and created to make it quick and exciting. 3×3 version of basketball rules is based upon traditional basketball rules but with some modifications. Rules for dribbling, shooting, and passing are still in place. The only thing that 3×3 has is rules that regulate the court’s dimensions, team members in the game and their duties, as well as time limits and penalties.

FIBA 3×3 tournaments take place with the specially designed 3×3 ball and on specially designed floors. However, at the grassroots stage, 3×3 can be played anyplace with standard basketball equipment and court markings that are adapted to the space available. Let’s examine the FIBA 3×3 regulations in greater detail and then see the most significant difference from the traditional basketball rules.

Rule3×3 BasketballTraditional Basketball
Baskets12
Basket height3.05m (10 ft)3.05m (10 ft)
Hoop diameter45.72cm (18 inches)45.72cm (18 inches)
Court size15 m x 11 m (49.21 ft x 36.09 ft) – the hoop is centered on one of the 15m lines   • FIBA: 15 m x 28 m (49.21 ft x 91.86)

  • NBA: 15.24 m x 28.65 (50 ft x 94 ft)
TeamsTwo teams. Each team shall consist of no more than 4 players.

  • 3 players on the court + 1 substitute

  • Teams must start the game with 3 players on the court
Two teams. Each team shall consist of no more than 12 players.

  • 5 players on the court + 7 substitutes

  • Teams must start the game with 5 players on the court
Playing time1 period of 10 min  • FIBA: 4 periods of 10 min

  • NBA: 4 periods of 12 min
Shot clock12 sec24 sec
Winner  • The team with the higher score at the end of regulation time wins.

  • “Sudden death” rule: The first team to score 21 points or more wins the game if it happens before the end of regular playing time (this is not relevant to overtime).
  • The team with the higher score at the end of regulation time wins.

  • No “sudden death” rule.
OvertimeThe first team to score 2 points in overtime wins.An additional period of 5 minutes is played. As many overtime periods are played as needed until one team wins.
BallFIBA 3×3: 72 cm (28.5 in) circumference, 624 g (22 oz) – these measurements don’t fit a standard ball size category  • NBA and FIBA senior men’s competitions: size 7 ball, or 75cm (29.5 in) circumference and 624 g (22 oz)

  • WNBA and FIBA senior women’s competition: size 6 ball, or 72cm (28.5 in) circumference and 567g (20 oz)
Beginning of the gameCoin toss: The team that wins the coin toss determines whether or not to start the game with possession of the ball. If it decides not to take possession of the ball, it is entitled to possession of the ball in any potential overtime.Jump ball: The referee throws the ball up in the middle of the court, where two players battle for possession in the air.
Scoring rules  • 1 point for a made free throw or made shot from within the two-point arc

  • 2 points for a made shot from outside the two-point arc
  • 1 point for a made free throw

  • 2 points for a made shot from inside the three-point line  

• 3 points for a made shot from outside the three-point line
Free-throw line distance from the basket4.60 m  • FIBA: 4.60 m

  • NBA: 4.57m (15 ft)
Two-point line / three-point line distance from the basket6.75m (22.15 ft), and 6.60m (21.65 ft) on the baseline   • FIBA: 6.75m (22.15 ft) and 6.60m (21.65 ft) on the baseline  

NBA: 7.24m (23.75 ft) and 6.70m (22 ft) on the baseline
In-game coachingNot allowedAllowed
Time-outEach team is granted 1. All time-outs last 30 sec.   • FIBA: Each team is granted 2 in the first half, 3 in second half, and 1 per overtime period. Time-outs always last 60 sec.  

NBA: Each team is granted 6 and 2 per overtime period. Time-outs last 60 or 100 sec. Each team also has 1 short time-out (20 sec) per half. There are additional regulations.
Referees1 or 2 per game in senior competitions2 or 3 per game in senior competitions
How the ball is played following any dead-ball situationPossession starts with a check-ball at the top of the two-point arc. The ball is exchanged between the defensive and offensive player.Possession starts with an inbound pass from outside the court.
How the ball is played 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 to a place on the court behind the two-point arc. A player must first clear the ball behind the two-point arc before a scoring attempt.

  • A player from the scoring team is not allowed to play for the ball in the no-charge semicircle area underneath the basket.
  • A player from a non-scoring team shall inbound the ball from the endline (outside the court).
How the ball is played following a steal and each unsuccessful field goal or last free throw (except those followed by ball possession)  • An offensive player who rebounds the ball may continue to attempt to score without returning the ball behind the two-point arc.

  • A defensive player who rebounds or steals the ball inside the two-point arc must first clear the ball behind the two-point arc before making a score attempt.

  • A defensive player who rebounds or steals the ball outside the two-point arc does not need to clear the ball behind the two-point arc before making a score attempt.
  • An offensive player who rebounds the ball may continue to attempt to score.  

• A defensive player who rebounds or steals the ball may attempt to score immediately on the opposing basket.
ClearanceA player is considered to be behind the two-point arc when neither feet are inside or on the arc line.There is no need to clear the ball after a change of possession.
Jump balls and alternating possessionIn the event of a held ball/jump ball, the game shall be resumed with a check-ball for the last defensive team. The shot clock shall be reset to 12 seconds.  • FIBA: A jump ball starts the game. The team that loses the initial jump ball gets the next possession. Possession alternates between teams thereafter in held ball/jump ball situations.

  • NBA: A jump ball starts the game. The team that loses the initial jump ball gets possession to start 2nd and 4th quarters. The team that wins the initial jump ball gets possession to start 3rd quarter. All held ball/jump ball situations are resolved by a jump ball.
Personal foul bonus No personal foul bonus  • FIBA: 5 fouls

  • NBA: 6 fouls
Team foul bonus 6 fouls4 fouls in a quarter
Number of free throws for 5th and 6th team fouls (in 1 quarter for traditional basketball) 0-possession starts with a check-ball2
Number of free throws for 7th, 8th, and 9th team foul (in 1 quarter for traditional basketball) 22
Number of free throws for tenth and subsequent team fouls (in 1 quarter for traditional basketball) 2 + possession of the ball2
Number of free throw(s) after a foul in the act of shooting when a shot is missed   • 1 for a 1-point shot attempt until the 7th team foul

 • 2 for a shot outside the two-point arc

  • 2 in the case of 7th, 8th and 9th team fouls

  • 2 + possession in the case of the 10th and every subsequent team foul
  • 2 in the case of a foul inside the 3-point arc

• 3 in the case of a foul outside the 3-point arc
Number of free throw(s) awarded after a foul in the act of shooting and when a shot is made  • 1 until the 7th team foul

  • 2 in the case of the 7th, 8th and 9th team fouls

  • 2 + possession in the case of the 10th and every subsequent team foul
1
Technical foul by an offensive playerThe fouled team is awarded 1 free throw. Following the free throw, the ball remains in the possession of the offensive team before the foul was called. Time on shot clock remains the same as before the foul.The fouled team is awarded 1 free throw. Following the free throw, the ball remains in the possession of the offensive team before the foul was called. Time on shot clock remains the same as before the foul.
Technical foul by a defensive playerThe fouled team is awarded 1 free throw. The team that was last in possession of the ball keeps possession.The fouled team is awarded 1 free throw. The team that was last in possession of the ball keeps possession.
Unsportsmanlike foulThe fouled team is awarded 2 free throws, and 2 fouls are added for the record.The fouled team is awarded 2 free throws and possession of the ball.
Disqualifying foulsA player committing 2 unsportsmanlike fouls will be disqualified from the game by the referees and from the event by the organizer. All disqualifying fouls shall be penalized with 2 free throws.A player committing 2 unsportsmanlike fouls will be disqualified.
Instant replay system (challenge)Teams at top-level FIBA 3×3 events are allowed one challenge per game. Referees review the decision through video analysis, and if the challenge is won, the team gets possession and retains its allocation of one challenge. If the team loses a challenge, then the team is left with no more challenges for the rest of the game.Not available.
SemicircleA defensive player must not step inside the semicircle after a made basket. The team will be penalized first with a warning, while every subsequent obstruction inside the semicircle is counted as a technical foul. Moreover, the semicircle is used as a no-offensive-charge space.Used as a no-offensive-charge space.
Stalling ruleStalling, or failing to play actively, is a violation. An offensive player, after the ball has been cleared, shall not hold the ball and/or dribble inside the arc with his or her back or side to the basket for more than 5 consecutive seconds.This rule does not exist.
SubstitutionsPlayers may be substituted in the event of a referee’s interruption without the intervention of a referee. A substitute may enter the game after a teammate steps off the court and makes physical contact behind the back line of the court.The substitute who is to enter the game must remain off the court until the referee allows and signals for the substitution to go ahead.

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