JAM rules for Basketball - 3's

© JAM 1996-2024

Basketball 3’s

There is only one format of Basketball 3’s rules under JAM Rules. This rulebook will cover Mixed Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, and Open Basketball 3's programs. Any issue that arises that is not covered in the league rules should be settled by the two team captains. The issue should then be brought to the attention of JAM so information can be added to the league rules.

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

Game Time

All Basketball games are approximately 55 minutes in length and will be played on a full court.  Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted court time. Regardless of when your game begins, your game will always end on time to allow the succeeding games to begin at their scheduled time.

Time Keeping: The JAM Ambassador on site will be keeping track of time and will determine the end of your game. In this instance, you will receive a warning indicating the final five (5) minutes of your game and a final signal for the end of your game. Once the final signal occurs your game is over.

Breaks: Teams will have a few minutes between each game to use as breaks. The next game can be started when both teams agree to begin playing again.

Start of game: A coin flip or rock paper scissors will determine which team gets first possession. The team that wins will begin game 1 and teams will alternate starting each of the 3 games. (If team 1 starts game one, team 2 will start game 2, and team 1 will start game 3).

 

Players

Teams are comprised of three (3) players on the court at a time. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes after the official start time. The League recommends basketball teams of 5-6 to avoid defaulting and for subs. Further rules and details regarding rosters are below:

Roster Numbers: 3 players on the floor at one time. As this is an open league, there are no gender minimums.

Defaults: Teams will default a match if they cannot provide a full team 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. A team can play with a minimum of 2 players on the court.

Exceptions: Both teams can agree to play with any number of people on the court up to three (3) players, as long as both teams agree.

 

Playing Area

All Basketball courts vary in size and there is no set standard for a JAM Basketball surface.

 

Equipment/Set Up

Team captains are responsible for bringing a regulation-sized basketball for each game.

Teams are also responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person to keep track of the score.

 

Uniforms

Teams are required to bring both light and colored shirts to every game. Team colors are posted on the JAM website in your schedule. If two teams have the same color the team captains should contact each other to ensure that each team knows what color to wear. 

 

Game Play

• There will be three games played up to 11 - if the three games are completed before the 55-minute time slot is over, teams can continue to play for fun.
• Defensive play is man-to-man only (no zone defense).
• Players may substitute after a basket has been scored (not "on the fly").
• Each basket scored counts as a single point (regardless of where the shot was taken from i.e. no 3-pointers).
• An out-of-bounds ball in favor of the attacking team, or a defensive foul results in the attacking team taking possession of the ball at the top of the key. At this point, the ball must be "checked" in by the defensive team before play can resume. Once the ball has been checked in, the attacking player can dribble the ball but must make a pass (The player cannot score directly off the check-in)
• When the ball is 'tied up', and a jump ball call is made, the team who started the game on defense will be awarded possession of the ball. For any subsequent "jump balls", possession will alternate between teams (the next jump ball will go to the team who started the game on offense) and continue to switch.
• DUNKING IS NOT ALLOWED. Dunking damages the rim which makes the venue staff very unhappy. 

 

Fouls and Violations 

• All games are self-officiated, so teams are responsible for calling their own fouls.
• When a foul is called teams will change possession. There are no free throws or points awarded in order to keep playing time to a maximum.
• During the last 10 minutes of a game (as announced by the designated timekeeper), if the offensive player with the ball is fouled (whether shooting or not), this person has the option of taking the ball at the top of the key (as usual) OR going to the line and shooting one foul shot. If the player elects to shoot a foul shot and it goes in, it is equivalent to one basket. The ball would then be turned over to the team that had originally committed the foul. If the foul shot does not go in, the ball is live. To avoid defensive players from killing time during the setup for the foul shot, the shooter can attempt the foul shot as soon as the rest of his team is in position for the foul shot (regardless of the position of the defensive players) The foul shooter has a maximum of 20 seconds to take the shot - do not delay the game by taking an unnecessary amount of time.
• The following are violations that will result in a change of possession:
  • Traveling (Moving both feet without dribbling)
  • Double Dribble (Dribbling with both hands or catching the ball between dribbles)
  • Carrying the ball (Having hand under the ball while dribbling)
  • Goaltending (Touching the ball while it is in downward flight to the basket
• The following are fouls that will result in a change of possession:
• Blocking (Preventing the progress of another player who is still moving)
• Charging (Running into the offensive player)
• Elbowing
• Holding
• Illegal Screening (Setting a block when the defensive player is moving)
• Reaching In (Making contact with the offensive player by extending an arm to steal ball)
• Tripping
• Flagrant Foul (Unnecessary contact)
• Hand Checking (Using hands to impede the progress of the offensive player)
• Pushing
• The above-mentioned fouls should not be occurring in JAM leagues. From time to time unintentional fouls will occur. However, if a certain team or player is fouling on a regular basis then that player or team may be removed from the league.

  
Out of Bounds

• If the ball is knocked out of bounds or goes across the center line, possession shall change to the team that did not knock it out.
• The team that takes over possession after an out-of-bounds must check the ball at the top of the key to resume play.

 

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

All basketball teams will get two playoff games regardless of where they finish in the standings or the score of their first playoff game

In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by the next point scored (sudden death). Please note that playoff games should only be 50 minutes in length in anticipation of needing the extra time to settle a tie.

 

Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating unsafe play.  This rule supersedes all others. 

Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely; players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.

The JAM Ambassadors are not trained referees and are there to keep the game running and ensure games start and end on time. Please respect them. They have the right to make any player sit out or leave the gym. If asked to do either, you must do so immediately.

 

Alcohol

There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted at JAM venues. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without a refund. No exceptions.