The Arsenal Fall League (Middle School Division) – 3v3 Rules
Games will consist of two 20 – minute halves. The clock will stop on dead balls during the last 2 minutes of the game. Overtime will consist of 1:30 on the clock. The game will be over as soon as any team scores 3 points, or the 1:30 has expired.
The first possession of the game will be decided by a coin toss. The team winning the coin toss can elect to take the ball to begin the game, or, choose to be the first team to possess the ball in overtime.
FREE THROWS
Free throws will be 1 shot for 2 points until the last 2 minutes of the game where free throws will be shot like a typical high school game (1 point for 1 shot).
FOULS
Personal fouls will not be kept on the scoresheet, only team fouls. A 1 for 2 free throw will be shot after 7 team fouls in either half on non-shooting fouls. Overtime will be a continuance of the second half. Within the last 2 minutes of play, a team in the bonus will shoot a traditional 1 and 1.
Shooting fouls before the last 2 minutes of the game will result in 1 shot for 2 points on a field goal attempt inside the arc. A foul on a player shooting a 3 point shot will result in 2 free throws. The first of the free throws will be for 2 points, with the second free throw being for 1 point.
CLEARING THE BALL
Clearing the ball is the way of play, which grants a new offensive team a possession of the ball from behind the arc to do its best to attempt a shot for a field goal.
Rule – Following each successful field goal or the 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.
A player is considered to be “behind the arc” when neither of his feet is inside or on the arc line.
Following each unsuccessful field goal or last free throw (except those followed by ball possession such as a technical foul):
- 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).
Penalty – If the ball leaves player hand(s) attempting a field-goal before it has been cleared, it is a “no-cleared ball” violation and potential field goal shall not count. The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a check-ball.
In all situations where a defensive team establishes ball control and scores a goal without clearing the ball, the basket shall be cancelled as the team had not cleared the ball prior to the shot attempt, including controlled taps.
CHECK BALL
Possession of the ball given to either team following any dead ball situation shall start / resume with a check-ball, i.e. an exchange of the ball (between the defensive and offensive player) behind the arc at the top of the playing court. During the game, if the defensive player doesn’t execute the check ball procedure correctly, the official shall pass the ball directly to the offensive player to assure the check-ball is executed correctly.
At the beginning of the game or overtime the check-ball shall be administered by the official.
TIME OUTS
Each team shall be granted 2 time-outs. Each time out will last 30 seconds. Only 1 time out may be carried into overtime.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Both teams are entitled to request a substitution when the ball becomes dead prior to a check-ball or free throw.
Substitutes shall be beckoned on to the floor by the official before making the ball available to the defense for the check-ball procedure.