Follow These Rules of Half-Court Basketball

When players in a basketball team are less than 10 then they can go for half-court pickup. In full court, both teams shoot at different baskets but in half-court, both teams have to shoot at the same basket. No jump ball is required in half-court Basketball.

Perfect to Develop Skills

A half-court game of basket is perfect to develop skills when there are less than 10 players in the game. The game is played in the half-court and both the team has to shoot in the same basket. In this game size, six balls are used.

The ball needs to be ‘taken back’ after each missed shot as both the teams are sharing the same basket. It also depends on with whom you are playing as the ball need not have to be cleared if it does not hit the rim. If your team baskets and your player do not miss a shot then you can keep the ball again with you until your team does not miss a shot. It also depends on the competition level in haft-court basketball as alternate possessions can be made after every basket.

No Three-Point Shot

Scoring in a half-court basketball game is not like scoring in a traditional basketball game. No three-point shot is awarded only one point is awarded for foul shots and for the shots that are finished inside the arc. Also when the shot is made outside the arc 2 points are awarded. The game starts on the centre court by handling the ball out from the centerline by a pass only.

Game Starts on Side of Courts

The game will start on the side courts by taking the ball out by the wall with a pass. Also, there will be no jump balls given and the ball is given to the team if two players from opposite teams have ownership of the ball not will have first ownership of the ball at the start of the game.

Players can clear the ball as opposite teams shoot on the same basket once the team recovers the ball and must clear it and when the conquering team gets ownership of the ball they are allowed to bring it outside the 3 point arc.

Check the Ball

Always check the ball on the foul line area by passing the ball to the defensive player after a made basket or a dead ball situation. The player will toss it back to you to indicate that the ball is in play.

The ball needs to be ‘taken back’ after each missed shot as both the teams are sharing the same basket. It also depends on with whom you are playing as the ball need not have to be cleared if it does not hit the rim. If your team baskets and your player do not miss a shot then you can keep the ball again with you until your team does not miss a shot. It also depends on the competition level as alternate possessions can be made after every basket.

Check the ball on the foul line area by passing the ball to the defensive player after a made basket or a dead ball situation. The player will toss it back to you to indicate that the ball is in play.

Half Court Basketball Rules

Both the teams have to use the same basket.

The team wearing the coloured dress will take the ball out first.

The game begins on the centre court by taking the ball out from the centerline by just passing.

Basketball rules such as double dribbling and travelling should be called.

Whenever the basketball goes out of bounds, a foul is called. There are no shooting fouls in the half-court basketball rule.

The team that scored against becomes the offence and takes the ball out.

If the non-shooting team gets the bounce back, the ball must be returned to the free-throw line.

It is a foul to reach over someone’s back with the ball.

It is legal to take the ball out of the hands without any personal contact.

Each player will throw the ball alternately in after a foul, violation, or a basket.

Fouls in Half Court Basketball

Blocking an individual foul with personal contact.

Hacking, the player hits the arm of the person holding the ball.

Holding, the player holds the person.

Violations in Half Court Basketball

Travelling, an illegal method to progress the ball.

Double Dribble is when a player continues to dribble after grasping the ball.

Out of Bounds, is when a person touches the floor.

Five Seconds Violation is when a player has 5 seconds to throw the ball in from out of bounds.

Kicking the Ball is when players may not kick the ball at any time.

Team Possession Violation, is when a team makes a basket without each member of the team having possession of the ball.

Three Seconds in the Key is when an offensive player is not allowed to stand in the key for more than 3 seconds

FAQ

What is the new half-court rule?

According to the 2025–26 NBA's new "half-court rule," missed heaves from about 36 feet in the last three seconds of the first three quarters are considered team misses rather than player misses.

What is a foul in half-court basketball?

In half-court basketball, a foul is when an opponent is illegally touched, pushed, held, blocked, or hit, allowing the opposing team to have the ball or make a free throw.

How many players for half-court basketball?

Half-court basketball is typically played three on three, but depending on the format, it can also be played two on two or one on one. 3x3 is the most widely used official format.

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