Can a 3x3 player back a defender down towards the basket?
A · Advanced · Violations and fouls · 1 of 6Only for three seconds. Once the ball has been cleared, an attacker may not dribble inside the arc with their back or side to the basket "for more than 3 consecutive seconds". Going over is a violation, and the other team gets a check-ball.
How it works
- Who: the attacking player with the ball.
- Where: inside the arc.
- What: dribbling with the back or the side turned to the basket.
- How long: no more than 3 consecutive seconds.
- When it applies: after the ball has been cleared.
- The penalty: a violation. The other team gets a check-ball.
The glossary has back to the basket, the arc and the violation.
Tricky cases
Does the count apply to a player who is holding the ball and not dribbling?
No. The rule is about dribbling. A player holding the ball when closely guarded has five seconds under a different rule.
Does it apply outside the arc?
No. The rule covers dribbling inside the arc.
A player dribbles sideways on to the basket. Does that count?
Yes. The rule covers the back or the side turned to the basket.
Does the count carry on if the player turns to face the basket and then turns away again?
It depends on a point the rule does not spell out. It bars more than 3 "consecutive" seconds, and the rules read for this page do not say what restarts the count.
Why the rule exists
On a small court with one basket and no help from a fourth or fifth defender, a strong player could back an opponent down, dribble by dribble, until they reached the ring. The limit makes the player turn and shoot, pass or face up, which keeps the ball moving inside a 12-second attack.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA 3x3 rules | The rule above | Art. 28.1.1 |
| Five-a-side basketball | No such rule | ../5x5/ set |
| 3x3 edition of November 2021 | Not checked. That older text is in our files for comparison only | Not checked |
From the rule book
FIBA, Official 3x3 Basketball Rules 2026 (valid as of 1 January 2026), Article 28.1.1, with Article 27 for the closely guarded player. Checked 14 October 2026 against a Korean-language copy; check the English text before publishing. Official document: FIBA Official 3x3 Basketball Rules (PDF).