What are the violations in 3x3, and what do they cost?
I · Intermediate · Violations and fouls · 4 of 7A violation gives the ball to the other team with a check-ball. Most are the same as in five-a-side basketball: travelling, dribbling twice, stepping out of bounds, staying more than three seconds in the restricted area and holding the ball for five seconds when closely guarded. 3x3 adds three of its own.
How it works
- The penalty: the ball goes to the other team for a check-ball.
- Travelling: moving one or both feet beyond the limits while holding a live ball. A player who catches the ball on the move may take two steps to stop, pass or shoot.
- Dribbling: a player may not dribble a second time after the first dribble has ended, and may not carry the ball or pause it.
- Out of bounds: the ball is out when it touches the floor, a person or an object on or outside a boundary line, or the back of the backboard or its support. The last player to touch it put it out.
- Three seconds: an attacker may not stay in the restricted area for more than 3 consecutive seconds while their team controls the ball and the clock is running.
- Five seconds: a player holding a live ball and closely guarded, within one metre, must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds.
- Feet and fists: deliberately kicking or blocking the ball with the leg, or striking it with the fist.
- The 3x3 additions: the 12-second shot clock, the no-clear violation and the back to the basket rule.
The glossary has the violation, out of bounds, three seconds, five seconds and dribbling.
Tricky cases
Is there an eight-second or backcourt violation in 3x3?
No. Both depend on a court with two halves, and a 3x3 court has one.
The ball hits the edge of the backboard and comes back in. Is it out?
It depends on which part it hits. The back of the backboard and its support are out of bounds. The rules read for this page do not mention the edges.
A player slips and falls while holding the ball. Is that travelling?
No. Falling, lying or sitting on the floor with the ball is not a violation. Rolling or trying to stand up while holding it is.
A defender accidentally kicks a pass. Is it a violation?
No. Only deliberate use of the leg or foot is a violation.
Why the rule exists
Violations are the rules about how the ball may be moved. They carry no free throws because nobody has been wronged physically: the team that broke the rule loses the ball. Keeping them the same as the five-a-side game means players move between the two without relearning how to dribble or pivot.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA 3x3 rules | The penalty is a check-ball | Art. 22.2 |
| Five-a-side basketball | The penalty is a throw-in from out of bounds | ../5x5/ set |
| Five-a-side basketball | Also has 8-second, 24-second and backcourt violations | ../5x5/ set |
From the rule book
FIBA, Official 3x3 Basketball Rules 2026 (valid as of 1 January 2026), Articles 13, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. Official document:FIBA Official 3x3 Basketball Rules (PDF).