Basketball Coaching Guide 2024Rules & Regulations 5v5 & 3x3

Rules & Regulations5v5 Team CompetitionPlease refer to Special Olympics 5v5 Basketball RulesCompetition Adaptations Following are adaptations of FIBA rules which may be used when conducting Special Olympics basketball team competitions. These adaptations are optional, and it remains the responsibility of each individual Special Olympics Program to determine whether they will be employed. 5v5 image

Length of game may be adjusted at the discretion of the competition manager.

The 24-second or 30-second shot clock may be used at the discretion of the competition management team.

The free throw shooter shall release the ball within 10 seconds from the time it is placed at the shooter’s disposal by one of the officials.

Five second closely guarded count only in the front court.

Two free throws awarded (non-shooting) foul after the 4th foul (includes player technical fouls)

If medical device is worn, it must be approved prior to competition. Includes any device worn that covers the face, lower arm (from the elbow to the wrist), knee, or lower leg. A document from a Doctor indicating the purpose and composition of the device will assist in addressing any risk management issues.

Team and Players - A team shall consist of five players. The composition of a team, including substitutes, may not exceed 10 players.
Unified Sports Team CompetitionThe roster shall contain a proportionate number of athletes and partners. Team 5-on-5: Five players are required to start a game. FIBA rules allow a team to continue to play with a lineup with as few as two players before a game is forfeited. After a game begins and during competition, only the following lineup ratios are allowed: 5 ON 5 Basketball (Start of game 5 players on court / team can drop down to max 2 players):5v5

3A/2P (Start of game)

3A/1P

2A/2P

2A/1P

1A/2P

Only Athletes can replaced by Athletes and Partners can only replaced by Partners. If these substitutions can’t be followed, teams can drop down following the Federation (FIBA) rules. Principles of Meaningful Involvement must be followed all the time. Each team shall have an adult non-playing coach responsible for the lineup and conduct of the team during competition.
3x3 CompetitionPlease refer to Special Olympics 3x3 Basketball RulesAdditionally more information can be found about Official FIBA Rules on the FIBA 3x3 Website.
3x3 video
The Goal 3x3 basketball may be used as a means of increasing the number of teams for Special Olympics basketball competition. Playing Area and Equipment 3x3

Any half-court section of a basketball court may be used. The court will be bounded by the end line under the rim, two sidelines and the half-court line.

All players must wear basketball attire with identifying numbers and flat rubber sole athletic shoes.

Basketball: FIBA 3x3 OFFICIAL: Approved to FIBA 3x3 specifications, official game ball of FIBA 3x3 Basketball. UNIQUE CONSTRUCTION: Meets FIBA 3x3 construction specs as a size 6 (intermediate 28.5") ball with the weight of a size 7 (official 29.5") ball.

Team and Players

A team may have up to five players, which includes three starters and two substitutes.

3x3 basketball is a game of three-on-three. Each team must start the game with three players.

A team may drop below three after the start of the game due to player injury or illness but must have three to start the game. There must be a minimum of two players on the court. For Unified 3x3, the ratio will be two athletes and one partner. A team may not drop below a minimum of two athletes due to injury.

The Game

The game will be played for 10 minutes or until one-team scores 21 points. A made field goal counts one point unless attempted from behind the arc, then it counts 2 points. A made free throw counts one point.

There will be a running clock applied until the final minute of regulation play. During this time, the clock will stop for all dead ball situations (e.g., fouls, violations, field goals with fouls, and timeouts). There will be a stop clock applied. The clock will stop for all dead ball situations (e.g., fouls, violations, field goals with fouls and time-outs).

The game will start with a flip of a coin for possession. There is no jump ball. All jump balls situations, the ball shall be awarded to the defensive team.

If overtime is required due to a tie at the end of regulation play, the team that didn’t start the game with ball possession, will start the overtime. First team to score two points, will win the game.

3x3 image-2Competition

The referee will handle the ball on all out-of-bounds plays after a dead-ball-situation.

The ball is dead after a foul or violation is called, or any other time the referee blows his/her whistle.

Teams change possession of the ball after made field goals. However, if a player is fouled in the act of shooting and makes the basket, the field goal is credited, and the offended player can take a free throw.

The in-bound spot in all cases (fouls, violations, out-of-bounds, timeouts) will behind the arc/top of the key/check ball (defensive player gives the ball to offensive player).

On any change of possession, the team which just gained possession of the ball must take the ball back behind the arc (2 point line) before shooting player is considered to be behind the arc when neither of his/her feet are inside nor on the arc line.

A violation has occurred when the defense who has just gained possession of the ball attempts a field goal without taking it back behind the foul line extended. If a shot is attempted by the defense after a gained possession without taking it back to the arc, the possession returns to the offense as a dead ball and will need to be inbounded from the behind the arc / top of the key.. Substitutions may be made on a dead ball prior to the check ball.

The substitute can enter the game after his/her teammate steps off the court and establishes a physical contact (i.e. handshake) with him/her behind the end line opposite the basket. Substitutions require no action from the referees or table officials.

One 60-second time out is allowed per team. A player injury timeout may be called by the referee.

On those courts where the basket support is on the playing court, a player whose body touches the support is not considered out-of-bounds unless he/she has control of the ball. If the ball touches the support, it is considered out-of-bounds. No player may use the support to gain advantage or put an opposing player at a disadvantage.

Officials will grant a player or a coach’s oral or hand signal request for a timeout.

Fouls and Penalties 3x3 image-3

A foul is an infraction of the rules involving personal contact with an opponent or unsportsmanlike behavior. It is charged against the offender.

If a contact foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting:

The game shall be resumed with a check-ball by the non-offending team.

If the offending team is in the team foul situation; 2 free throws shall be awarded as of the 7th team foul. 2 free throws and ball possession shall be awarded as of the 10th team foul.

If a contact foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting, that player shall be awarded with a number of free throws as follows:

If the shot released from the field goal area is successful, the goal shall count and, in addition, 1 free throw. 2 free throws shall be awarded as of the 7th team foul. 2 free throws and ball possession shall be awarded as of the 10th team foul.

If the shot released from inside the arc is unsuccessful, 1 free throw. 2 free throws shall be awarded as of the 7th team foul. 2 free throws and ball possession shall be awarded as of the 10th team foul.

If the shot is released from behind the arc is unsuccessful, 2 free throws.

A technical foul shall count as a team foul.

The opponents shall be awarded 1 free throw. the game shall be resumed as follows:

The free throw shall be administered immediately. After the free throw, the check-ball shall be administered by the team which had control of the ball or was entitled to the ball when the technical foul was called.

If a valid field goal, or a last free throw is scored, the game shall be resumed with a check-ball for the last defensive team.

If neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball, a jump ball situation occurs. The game shall be resumed with a check-ball for the last defensive team.

All unsportsmanlike fouls are counted as 2 fouls for team foul purposes.

The first unsportsmanlike foul of a player shall be penalized with 2 free throws, no ball possession. If the first unsportsmanlike foul of a player is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is made, it shall count and in addition 2 free throws shall be awarded.

The second unsportsmanlike foul of a player shall be penalized with 2 free throws and ball possession. If the second unsportsmanlike foul of a player is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is made, it shall count an in addition 2 free throws and ball possession shall be awarded.

Unified Sports® Events The roster shall contain a proportionate number of athletes and partners. Team 3x3: Basketball (Start of game 3 players on court / team can drop down to max 2 players):3x3

2A/1P (Start of the game)

1A/1P

Only Athletes can replaced by Athletes and Partners can only replaced by Partners. But if a team cannot follow these substitution rules. The local organizer can decide to make an exception to the ratio and add an extra athlete on the court to continue the game. This must be communicated in the tournament rulebook. Principles of Meaningful Involvement must be followed all the time.Each team shall have an adult non-playing coach responsible for the lineup and conduct of the team during competition. Basketball CoverDocument NavigationAcknowledgementsFIBA FoundationICKWelcomeBenefits of Special OlympicsSpecial Olympics Basketball EventsBasics of BasketballFitness for BasketballThe Role of the CoachSport PsychologyCoaching BasketballRules & Regulations 5v5 & 3x3Rules & Regulations Individual and Team Skills ContentPlanningGlossary of Terms