Campus Recreation
Students playing intramural basketball in the Student Recreation Center.

3 vs 3 Basketball Rules

All Montclair State University School Policies are in effect, including Student Code of Conduct.

All Montclair State University Department of Campus Recreation “Intramurals 101” policies are in effect.

ELIGIBILITY

  • All team sports are broken down into 4 different leagues which include: Men’s, Women’s, Organization, and Open. The Organization league is open to all MSU-affiliated Clubs and Organizations who register using the $60 team fee. The Open league places no restriction on gender, gender identity, or gender expression. Each player can only join one team per league (I.e. A player is allowed to play in one Open league and one Women’s/Men’s league). In leagues with multiple divisions, such as basketball, players are permitted to play in Men’s A or Men’s B only.
  • A team’s roster should be completed prior to their first game, but additional players are more than welcome. Be advised that they MUST play in ONE regular-season game before being eligible for the playoffs. All players participating in a game must be listed on that game’s scoresheet. The players who are listed will be entered onto that team’s roster. Names of individuals can be added to the original roster, prior to the new team member playing, by listing that player’s name as well as his/her ID number on the scoresheet. A player must play in at least one regular-season game to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. Rosters can have a maximum of 16 players.
  • Assumption of Risk, Waiver, and Release from Liability Form: All players must pay and sign up on imleagues.com. You MUST PAY YOUR REGISTRATION FEE BEFORE YOU PLAY in order to be eligible to play because your payment counts as your waiver. The only players who MUST sign a physical waiver, as well as pay, are those who play on Greek and Organization teams.
  • Checking ID’s: Before a contest, event, or activity, all members of a team shall present to the scorekeeper their pictured Montclair State University ID card. Those players listed on the scoresheet and verified by a scorekeeper are considered to have participated in that contest. Should a participant arrive at the contest after it has started, the participant must still sign in with the scorekeeper to verify that they are on the roster. Should a player not be verified by a scorekeeper, that individual shall be considered an ineligible player.
  • Forgotten ID Policy: If a player forgets his or her ID, that player is ineligible to participate in the SRC activity.
  • The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address an official and/or Director on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information so long as it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out in the case of an emergency or when applicable.

PLAYERS

  • Participants must play in one regular-season game before being eligible for playoffs
  • Rosters can have a maximum of 6 players
  • No more than 2 Intramural Sports staff may be on the same team Exception: Greek Organizations may have as many Intramural Sports staff as they please while remembering that work comes first
  • Any player who accumulates three total technical fouls over the course of the season will be suspended for their team’s next scheduled game
  • No jewelry
  • Must have at least 2 players to participate

TIME/FORFEITS

  • Forfeit rule: Any team that does not have the required minimum number of players at game time will lose the first game. Five (5) minutes later, the same team will lose the second game if it still does not have enough players. Ten minutes later (ten total minutes), if the team still does not have enough players, it will lose the third game and receive a forfeit.
  • If both teams are not ready to play BY GAME TIME, it is a double forfeit (no 5-minute rule)
  • 2 forfeits for the season = ineligible for playoff
  • Matches will be played until 11 with a maximum timer of 15 minutes. If a game is tied at the end of 15 minutes, the next team to score will win that game

COURT

  • All Games will take place in the Student Recreation Center, on the basketball courts.
  • All Games will be half-court games. There will be NO full-court games.
  • The game will be played within the red lines, marked on the gym floor.
  • ONLY drinks are allowed on the courts. Any team that leaves any trash on the court will receive an F for sportsmanship. (Sportsmanship is the deciding factor in making the playoffs).

GAME PLAY

  • There is a minimum of two (2) players on the court to play and a maximum of three (3) players on the court.
  • Any team that does not have the required minimum number of players at game time will lose the first game. Five (5) minutes later, the same team will lose the second game if it still does not have enough players. Ten minutes later (ten total minutes), if the team still does not have enough players, it will lose the third game and receive a forfeit.
  • The game will start with the team winning the coin flip starting with the ball first in game one and game three.
    All games played reflect your team record. So if a team wins a 3-game set 2-1, then their record is 2-1.
    Each team will receive 2 cumulative timeouts across the three-game match. The timeout shall last no more than 30 seconds.
  • Games are played FIRST to 11 points (Alternating possessions).
  • Games will be played for 15 minutes. If the team scores 11 points before the game is over, they can either use the remaining time as a break or they can start the next game immediately.
  • Possession of the ball will be decided based on a coin toss.
  • It will be loser’s ball at the start of each possession after a scored point.
  • The check line will be the three-point arc on the court. A player must put the ball in play from the check line at the top of the arc. On defensive rebounds or steals, the ball must be taken behind the three-point arc and the team in possession of the ball may maintain control and attempt to score. The only time the defense does not have to take the ball back is if the ball has not yet touched the rim.
  • After each check, the ball must be passed to another teammate before scoring a basket or the basket will not count and possession of the ball will be lost.
  • On a jump ball situation, the ball is awarded to the team who has the possession arrow.

SCORING

  • Shots inside the 3-point arc = 1 point
  • Shots outside the 3 point arc= 2 points

TIME-OUTS

  • Time-outs may be requested by any PLAYER of a team in possession or during a dead ball period.
  • One timeout per game.
  • A player who is bleeding, or who has blood on his/her clothing, shall be removed from the game immediately and may only return if the bleeding has fully stopped and a change of clothes is made.

FOULS

  • Fouls will be recorded. After a player commits 4 fouls they will be ineligible to continue to the game. If a team doesn’t have substitutes, then they will have to finish the game with only 2 players.
  • If any player is given 2 technical fouls across a 3 game match, they are disqualified for the remainder of the matchup and the team will have to finish the game with only 2 players or they will have to use their substitute player if they have one.
  • Any common foul shall result in loss of possession for the offending team. If there is a defensive foul, it will result in the offensive team retaining possession.
  • Any offensive foul shall result in disallowing a converted basket and loss of possession.
  • Any shooting foul with a missed basket shall result in retained possession by the shooting team.
  • Any shooting foul with a converted basket shall result in the basket being awarded and their team will also maintain possession. No free throws are awarded.
  • There will be no bonus for foul accumulation

VIOLATIONS

  • Stepping on the out-of-bounds line while in possession of the ball. If a player goes out of bounds, they must establish themselves with 1 foot on the court (the other must not touch any part of the out-of-bounds area) or both feet, prior to gaining possession.
  • Not checking the ball at the top of the key during a restart of the game. A check includes the defensive team touching the ball and giving it back to the offensive player.
  • Not passing once prior to attempting a shot
  • Not returning to the top of the key with possession after a defensive possession that ended with a missed shot that touched the rim
  • Goaltending – Interfering with a shot that is on its downward trajectory toward the goal. 
    • If a goaltending violation occurs, it will result in 1 or 2 points being awarded to the offensive/shooting team.
  • Double Dribble- When a player dribbles a second time after their first dribble has ended unless it is after they have lost control because of:
    • a try for field goal
    • a bat by an opponent
    • a pass or fumble which has then touched or been touched by another player
  • Traveling (Walk) – Taking more than two steps while in possession of the ball without dribbling
  • Kicking the ball is a violation only when it is an intentional act; accidentally striking the ball with the foot or leg is not a violation.
  • Remain for 3 seconds in the part of their free throw lane between the end boundary and the farther edge of the free-throw line while the ball is in control of their team in his/her frontcourt.  Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than 3 seconds dribbles in or moves to try for goal. The count shall not begin or it shall be terminated during an interrupted dribble.

PERSONAL FOULS

  • Blocking – a defensive foul caused by an improperly positioned player who makes contact with an offensive player to stop or impede their movement. This is caused by a defensive player who is still moving, does not have their feet planted, or has not established themselves within the ballhandler’s path before they collide.
    • If a basket is made during a block, it will count and the offensive team will receive possession. If the basket is no good, the offensive team will retain possession. 
  • Charge (player control foul) – is an offensive foul caused by an attacking player charging into or through a defender. Defenders must clearly establish themselves between the attacking player and the basket in order to draw a charging foul.
    • If a basket is made, but a charge is called, the basket does not count and defensive team receives possession.
  • Reaching foul – is a defensive foul in which the defender “reaches in” and tries to steal the ball and makes contact with the attacking player that impedes their space or movement. 
  • Over the Back – Is a foul called during the process of rebounding. Simply going over a player’s back is not a foul in itself. There must be illegal contact in the form of a push, hold, or trip in order for it to qualify as an over-the-back foul.
  • Shooting Foul – Is a foul called on a defensive player when they make illegal physical contact with the shooter who is in the act of shooting. Types of shooting fouls can include:
    • Hitting the arm/hand of a shooter in the act of a shooter
    • Making contact with the shooter – bumping, holding, etc.
    • Not allowing the shooter to land in their space
      • If a shooter initiates contact with a defender, there will be no foul called.
    • If a shooter is fouled and makes the shot, the goal will count and the offensive team will retain the ball. If the shot misses, there will be no free throws and the offensive team will simply retain possession.
  • Illegal Screen is a foul against an offensive player who does not have the ball:
    • Moving after maintaining legal guarding position (2 feet on the ground and hips square) and being contacted while moving
    • If screening from front/sides may be as close as desired before contact
    • If screening from behind, player must establish a position no closer than a normal step from defender 
    • Player may not use hands, arms, knees, or feet to assist in the screen
  • Loose Ball foul – is a foul that occurs while both teams are attempting to gain possession of the ball. This may include grabbing, holding, or pushing another player to impede their progress. 
    • This will result in possession being awarded to the team who was offended.
  • Player cannot:  hold, push, charge, trip, nor impede progress of an opponent by arm, hip, shoulder, knee, or by bending body in a way other than normal

TECHNICAL FOULS (the following are all cases which would result in technical fouls)

  • Technical fouls result in 1 point for opposition, and the opposition will get possession
  • Substitute Technical
    • If a substitute enters the court without reporting to the scorekeeper, without being beckoned by the official, or without having name on the scoresheet
  • Personal technical:
    • 1 personal technical fouls results in ejection — may be ejected after 1, if deemed necessary
    • 2 personal technical fouls over the course of the season — 1 game suspension  
    • 3 personal technical fouls in season — not eligible for playoffs
    • Dunking the ball or unnecessarily grabbing the rim/net/backboard
    • Delaying the game by hitting the ball after a made basket (court warning first, then technical foul) 
    • Unsportsmanlike actions:
    • Disrespectfully addressing other players, officials, fans
    • Using profanity, inappropriate language, or obscene gestures
    • Lifting a teammate to gain an advantage
    • Touching the ball or thrower in during a throw-in
    • Fighting
  • Team technical fouls:
    • 2 team technical fouls result in forfeiture of game

OVERTIME

  • If a game is tied at the end of the 15 minutes, the next team to score will win the game. 
  • In the playoffs, if the game is tied, the winner will have to win by 2