What are the rules of FIBA 3x3 basketball

• 3x3 basketball is fast becoming an dominant international format of the game
• Australia's 3x3 teams are know as the Gangurrus
• 3x3 is played to 21 points or the most points after 10 minutes

Australia's men's and women's 3x3 national teams are called the Gangurrus, which is an Aboriginal word for the Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

Australia's women's team has won five of the past seven Asia Cups, the last delivered by Marena Whittle, Olympian Alex Wilson, Anneli Maley and Meila Sowah.

The 3x3 format is here to stay so it's vital all basketball fans get to know how it works.

Here are the official FIBA 3x3 basketball rules as used in international competition (such as the Olympics, World Cup, and World Tour), summarised for clarity:

🏀 BASIC STRUCTURE

• Teams:
  3 players on the court per team, with 1 substitute (4 total).
  Substitutions can only happen during dead-ball situations.
• Court:
  Half of a full basketball court with one hoop.
  Standard FIBA 3x3 court dimensions: 15m x 11m.
• Ball:
  Size 6 ball (women’s size), but with the weight of a size 7 (men’s ball).

⏱ GAME LENGTH

• Game ends when:
  • A team reaches 21 points (by 1s and 2s), or
  • The 10-minute game clock expires.
• Tiebreaker:
  If tied at the end of regulation, overtime is played.
  First team to score 2 points in OT wins.
• Shot clock:
  12 seconds.
• No quarters or halves. It's continuous play with dead-ball stoppages.

📊 SCORING

• 1 point for baskets inside the arc (inside the 2-point line).
• 2 points for shots made from beyond the arc.
• 1 point for each free throw.

🎯 POSSESSION & START

• Coin toss decides which team starts with the ball.
  • Winner of the toss can choose to start with the ball or have it in a potential overtime.
• Check ball:
  • Possession always starts from the top of the arc with a "check" between the offensive player and a defender.
• After a made basket:
  • The opposing team takes possession immediately under the hoop.
  • They must clear the ball beyond the arc before attempting to score.
• Clearing the ball:
  • After a rebound or turnover, a team must move the ball behind the arc (dribble or pass) before scoring.

🧍‍♂️ FOULS

• Team fouls 1–6: Standard penalties (shooting fouls = 1 or 2 free throws depending on location).
• Team fouls 7–9: 2 free throws regardless of foul type.
• Team fouls 10+: 2 free throws + possession.
• No personal fouls limit, but players can be disqualified for unsportsmanlike or technical fouls.

🚫 VIOLATIONS & TURNOVERS

• Traveling, double dribble, and other standard violations apply.
• If a team fails to clear the ball behind the arc, the basket does not count, and possession is awarded to the opponent.

🔁 POSSESSION CHANGE

• After defensive rebounds or steals, the team must clear the ball.
• After a made basket or free throw, no inbound is needed — play continues immediately.