Game Play

• Self-Officiated. Call your own fouls. Keep track of your own score
• 3 on 3. Rosters are capped at 6 people to allow for up to 3 subs.
• Games will consist of two (2) 12-minute halves with a 1-minute halftime break. Continuous Clock
• Points are worth 1 points inside the arc and 2 points outside the arc
• Game will end when a team reaches 35 points in regulation
• Coinflip to decide who starts regulation with possession. Team that lost the coin toss will start the second half with possession

Overtime - Elam Ending

• If neither team reaches 35 points in regulation, the game will be played to a new target score to win the game
• New target score is determined by the leading team's score +5.
  • Example: Regulation ends 12-16. First team to 21 wins the game
  • Example: Regulation ends 25-21. First team to 30 wins the game
  • Example: Regulation ends 29-33. First team to 38 wins the game
• Clock is turned off
• Play resumes as it ended in regulation
• First team to meet or exceed the new target score wins the game.
• Fouls in overtime will follow the same rules as regulation

The intention of the Elam Ending is to minimize stalling and passive play by the leading team and minimize intentional fouling by the losing team.

Playoffs - March 9

• Playoff Format - Number of teams in league and number of games on the schedule will determine how many teams make the playoffs. Team rank is determined by:
  • Overall league record (W-L)
  • Head-to-head record (W-L)
  • Forfeitures
  • Points spread in head-to-head matchups
  • "Points For" in overall league games
  • "Points Against" in overall league games
• Awards will be given to the team that wins playoffs

Roster & Players

• Teams must have a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) players
• Three (3) players are on the court per team. Subs sit on the sideline
• A game can be played with a minimum of two (2) players on the court. The opposition may play with three (3) players as usual
  • Teams failing to have two (2) players after 5 minutes of the scheduled game time will forfeit providing the opposing team is on the court, ready to play.
  • If team drops below 2 players due to an on court injury, they may continue to play without penalty if desired
• Players must fill out and sign the roster prior to the start of the first game. The site coordinator will supply you roster forms for your team to sign.
• ALL PLAYERS MUST REVIEW THE ADULT SPORTS CODE OF CONDUCT. Players that sign the roster form have acknowledged they have read the Code of Conduct
• Teams may remove or add to their rosters up to week 5. Any player added or removed after week 5 must be approved by the league supervisor.

Forfeits

• A team that forfeits three (3) weeks in a season (not due to an injury) will be dropped from the league without compensation
• In the case of a forfeit, teams can practice and play on the court until five (5) minutes before the next match is scheduled to begin

Game Structure

Scoring/Field Goal:

• 1-point inside 3-point arc
• 2-points outside 3-point arc
• Dunking is allowed. Cannot hang, swing or pull down on the rim.

Time/Clock:

• Two 12-minute halves. 1 minute halftime break
• The clock starts within the first five (5) minutes of the scheduled game time

Winner of a Game:

• First team to 35 points in regulation wins the game

Overtime - Sudden Death:

• If neither team reaches 35 points in regulation, the game will be played to a new target score with no clock to win the game. That new target score is determined by the leading team’s score +5. Play will resume as it ended in regulation and the first team to meet or exceed the new target score wins the game
  • Example: Regulation ends 12-16. First team to 21 wins the game
  • Example: Regulation ends 25-21. First team to 30 wins the game
  • Example: Regulation ends 29-33. First team to 38 wins the game
• Fouls in overtime – Elam Ending will follow the same rules as regulation

The intention of the Elam Ending is to minimize stalling and passive play by the leading team and minimize intentional fouling by the losing team.

Substitutes:

• Can only enter game during “dead ball” once teammate steps off court
• Must enter from halfcourt

Possession:

• Coinflip to decide who starts the first half with ball
• Possession always starts at the top of the arc with a check ball. Must pass off the check
  • Defense may not play up on ball while ball is being passed in.
• Alternate possessions on made baskets (field goals)
• Any change of possession must be brought out beyond the arc
  • Example: Steals and rebounds by the defense must both be brought beyond the arc
• Unsuccessful field goal/free throw that hit the rim:
  • Offensive rebound can continue to attempt to score
  • Defensive rebound must bring ball out beyond the arc
• Unsuccessful field goal/free throw that did not hit the rim:
  • Either team that rebounds can attempt to score without needing to bring the ball out beyond the arc
• All out of bounds balls are put into play at the top of the court
• Tied or Jump Balls shall be brought in by the team who did not start with possession first and then alternatively by one team and then the other

Beyond the arc is defined as that a player must have possession of the ball with two (2) feet behind the 3-point line

Equipment:

• No player shall be allowed to wear a guard, cast, hard brace or other potentially dangerous equipment on his or her elbow, hand, wrist, finger, or forearm. This includes equipment made of hard leather, plastic, plaster, or metal.
• Soft braces, sleeves and wraps will be allowed unless they pose a danger to other players. The VRD retains the right to disallow any equipment or apparel that it judges to be dangerous or inappropriate.
• Jewely: Players are not to wear equipment that is dangerous to other players or is not appropriate
  • Examples: headwear like hats and/or rags, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings.
  • Exceptions: Jewelry that is worn for medical identification or religious purposes must be contained and taped at all times and not pose a danger to other players
• Shoes: Gym appropriate shoes must be worn. No marking soled shoes
• Basketballs: The VRD will provide 29.5” game balls. Teams are allowed to bring their own ball if both teams agree to play with said ball.
• Uniforms: The VRD will provide pinnies for all teams playing. Teams are allowed to wear their own jerseys or shirts. Team outfits must match in color and be easy to differentiate between the teams. Bringing 2 color outfits is recommended.

Fouls & Violations

Self-Officiated League:

• Teams will use the honor system for calling fouls and violations
• The offensive player will make the call, but the defensive player also has the right to call a foul on himself
  • Incidental contact between opponents shall not result in a called foul unless such contact results in meaningful disadvantage
• Foul call discrepancies may be settled by a quick game of rock, papers, scissors
• Continued discrepancies may be settled by league supervisor with the final say
• No player can foul out

Game Violations: Results in offensive team losing possession

• Traveling, double dribble, carrying/palming, kick can be called by either team
• Aggressive offensive play, such as lowering shoulder to displace a player’s position may be called as an offensive foul

Non Shooting Fouls: Results in offended team getting possession

• When a foul is committed, the team that is fouled gets the ball at the top of the key.

Shooting Fouls & Free Throws: Results in uncontested free throws

• When a player is fouled in the act of shooting (see more info below)
  • Player is fouled and makes the shot (And-1) – Player will shoot 1 free throw from the free throw line worth 1 point
  • Player is fouled on a missed 1-point attempt – Player will shoot 1 free throw from the free throw worth 1 points
  • Player is fouled on a missed 2-point attempt – Player will shoot 1 free throw from the top of the three point line worth 2 points
• All players not shooting must stand on the lane or behind the three-point line. May attempt to rebound missed shot once ball leaves the shooter’s hand

Technical, Intentional & Flagrant Fouls:

• League Supervisor will make these calls, their decision is final
• Technical, Intentional & Flagrant Fouls will result in an automatic point for the offended team and possession of the ball

Technical:

• Unsportsmanlike acts such as taunting, baiting or trash talk. Intentional physical contact.
• Excessive arguing or deliberately causing a confrontation will result in a technical foul
• 2 technical fouls in one-game will result in ejection.
• Any aggressive contact or assault with any person shall be automatically ejected from the game for the remainder of the season. Any additional suspension for such acts will be determined by the VRD on a case-by-case basis.

Intentional:

• Neutralizes an opponent’s obvious advantageous position. A clear attempt to not play the ball

Flagrant:

• Violent or aggressive act which displays unacceptable conduct.
• May or may not be intentional, but could involve contact such as striking, kicking, kneeing, moving under someone who is in the air, and crouching or hipping in a manner that could cause injury.
• Flagrant foul can result in an ejection or suspension, determined by the VRD on a case-by-case basis

Misc Rules:

• No alcohol or Tobaco use on site
• League supervisor will handle any disputes or protests
• Any rule modifications or changes will be communicated to all teams in advance

Elastic Clause: Any and all situations not specifically covered by these rules shall be acted upon by the league supervisor, and all actions by the league supervisor will be final

Please reach out to sports@vailrec.com to express interest in being a free agent.

2026-27 open gym for indoor basketball starts on Monday, November 16, 2027.

VRD offers drop-in basketball on Monday evenings at Red Sandstone Elementary School throughout the winter and spring months. Entrance is through the east gym doors, closest to the Vail Gymnastics Center.

• Dates: Monday nights throughout the winter/spring.
• Time: 6 to 9 p.m.​​
• Location: Red Sandstone Elementary, 551 N Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657
• Cost: $6/person (a 10-day pass is available for volleyball/basketball/soccer for $50)

FIND OUT MORE HERE