League play consists of two games of eight minute halves against one opponent each night.  Teams are expected to complete their games within approximately one hour.  2 minute breaks are observed during half-times while an approximately 5 minute break is observed between games during which all active players from each team will participate in the Mac 3on3 Free-Throw Contest.  Officials are not used for league play, so it is important that players are familiar and compliant with league procedures for managing the game.  Mac 3on3 adheres to official IHSAA rules unless specified otherwise in the following guide.

It is the responsibility of both the offense and the defense to call fouls.  Honesty is expected and appreciated in this regard.  

When a foul is called while the game clock is eligible to be stopped, free throws will be shot immediately regardless of whether the player was fouled in the act of shooting. 

When a foul is called while the game clock is not eligible to be stopped, the default procedure is to check the ball in and resume play regardless of whether the player was fouled in the act of shooting. 

Both the offense and defense, however, have options that they may exercise at any point in any game following a foul listed below:

•   Offense:  To discourage excessive fouling by the defense, the offense has the option of choosing to shoot a one-and-bonus free throw after any foul at any time in the game.

•   Defense:  If no free throws are being shot the ball is checked in at the top of the key unless the defense requests that the ball be in-bounded from the point nearest the infraction.

And-1 Situations - During league play, a basket scored while being fouled does not result in a free throw.  If the basket is good, normal play will be resumed.

End Game Fouling - It is a good strategy when trailing late in a close game to purposely foul the opposing team in order to stop the clock in the last 2 minutes of the game.  Listed below are some details regarding this procedure:

•   Players cannot foul out of the game during league play.

•   The first four fouls by a team will result in a one-and-bonus regardless if the player was in the act of shooting.  Beginning with the fifth foul, two shots fouls will be awarded.

•   When purposely fouling, it is not necessary to actually foul the ball handler.  You need only to touch the ball handler while calling a foul to successfully stop the clock and force a free throw.  Excessively forceful fouling may result in an immediate technical foul.

•   Off-the-ball fouls are not valid.  Repeated attempts to foul off the ball in order to stop the clock will result in a technical foul.

Physically Aggressive Play - Actively dislodging the established position of other players creates an unfair advantage and is a foul.  Players are encouraged to avoid strategies such as backing opponents down to the basket or dislodging post players through shoving with the arms that is normally regulated by officials.  This style of play has often led to frustration and confrontations between players.  Continued use of these strategies may result in standard or technical fouls being called by league staff if no fouls are called by players.

Irresponsible Foul Calls - Abuse of the player’s ability to call fouls (i.e. Every time the offense misses a shot in traffic, he or she calls a foul.) is subject to having such calls overturned by league staff.

Technical Fouls - Technical fouls will result in two shots and possession of the ball by the opposing team.  League staff may administer technical fouls without a formal warning for inappropriate actions committed by individuals or teams.

In between the games during league play, each member of each team will shoot 5 free throws and report their number of free throws made out of their five opportunities to the stat-keeper.  The purpose of this is to allow all players to have an opportunity to participate in the league-wide free throw shooting competition.  The player with the highest percentage while meeting the minimum requirements for number of free throws shot at the end of the year will be the champ.

          Each team is allowed one timeout during the first half and two timeouts in the second half.  After each time out, the ball will be checked in by the defense to the offense and in-bounded from half-court.  The game clock will not start until the ball is touched after the in-bounds pass.  Unused timeouts are not transferrable between halves.

          All substitutions must take place during dead ball situations.  It is not necessary to check in with the scorer’s table before entering the game, however, it is expected that all substitutions are clearly announced and that the opposing team is given an opportunity to adjust their players as well.  Illegal substitutions resulting in unfair advantages may result in a technical foul.

          If a player repeatedly violates the 3 second rule, the defense is encouraged to warn the offending player and begin counting 5 seconds out loud.  If the offending team/player fails to respond, a lane violation may be called.  

         All overtimes in league play are decided at the free throw line.  Each team alternates through their players shooting one free throw at a time.  The first team to reach 3 made free throws wins.  Double overtime only results when both teams make their first 3 free throws.  The last team to score in regulation shoots first.  No player may attempt a second shot until all other players on his team have shot once.

         To discourage cherry picking, teams must inbound the ball to the backcourt.  Teams which violate this rule, however, do NOT lose possession, but any scores resulting from this practice will not be allowed.  The team must re-inbound the ball from mid-court before proceeding with normal play.

Because of the nature of summer activities and frequent schedule conflicts (vacations, camps, county fair activities, etc...) teams will occasionally fall short of the required 3 players.  All effort is made to insure that an official league game will be played each night as scheduled.  In the event that your team (or your opposition) is short on players, teams are allowed to pick up substitutes from other teams.  It must be approved by the gym supervisor to be a legal substitution.  The supervisor will allow subs based on the following criteria:

•   Is there really a need?  Three players is enough to play. Teams are not "entitled" to a substitute. Exceptions may be made during extremely hot weather, but only with  consent of the opposing team. If  three registered team members are in attendance, prepare to play with no sub.

•   Who is available? Priority will be given to players who are currently in high school.

•   Who is the sub filling in for? Every effort must be given to prevent a team from benefiting by picking up a sub. In other words, picking up a player should not be an advantage for the team who is short. No "blue chip" players should be subbing for an "average Joe."

•   **In the event that the choices are slim and a "blue chip" is all that is available at the time, the team and the player should have the integrity to expect the regular players to do the bulk of the shooting, especially down the stretch. Again, the team who is short on players should not gain an advantage.**At any point during the game that a more suitable sub option becomes available, that person would immediately replace the "blue chip."

NOTE: Teams may opt to compete "2 on 3" if they so choose.

As a general rule, outright forfeits are discouraged and extremely rare.

                    All teams will participate in a season ending single elimination tournament. Licensed officials will be hired for tournament play.

          In order to be eligible for the tournament each player must: 

a)     play a minimum of 4 nights prior to the tourney

b)     be on the team roster by the end of the second full week of the season

c)     have registration fees paid in full

Craig Miller hm 765-395-7534  work 765-689-9131 ext 5709

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