The Claim Official Rules

Basketball For Living (BFL) created The Claim to deliver a fast-paced and competitive basketball experience through two official formats: 1v1 and 3x3.

This page contains the official rules used in every sanctioned The Claim event. All players, team captains, referees, and participants are expected to understand and follow these rules before competing.

The Claim 1v1 Rules

Game Format

• Game to 30 points (win by 2).
• Halftime: First player to 15 points.
• Halftime break: 2 minutes.
• Each player is allowed 3 timeouts.

Free Throws

A foul committed while a player is driving to the basket or during a shot attempt results in one free throw.

• Made free throw: The player keeps possession.
• Missed free throw: Possession is awarded to the opponent.

Physical Play

The Claim 1v1 encourages physical basketball.

Body contact is allowed, and referees will not call soft or marginal contact. Players are expected to play through legal physical defense while maintaining respect for the officials and their opponent.

Team Fouls

Fouls are counted separately for each half.

Once a player reaches 6 fouls in a half, the opponent enters the bonus.

Check Ball

Every possession begins with the offensive player receiving the ball outside the three-point arc before attacking the basket.

The Claim 3x3 Rules

Game Format

• Game to 60 points (win by 2).
• Halftime: First team to 30 points.
• Shot clock: 14 seconds.
• Each team is allowed 4 timeouts throughout the game.

Scoring

• Basket inside the arc = 2 points
• Basket outside the arc = 3 points

Free Throws

• Foul on a drive = 1 free throw
• Foul on a three-point shot = 2 free throws

Bonus Fouls

Team fouls reset at halftime.

After 6 team fouls in each half, the opposing team enters the bonus.

Change of Possession

Following a rebound, steal, or turnover, the offensive team must establish possession with both feet outside the arc before attacking.

Contest Rule (3x3)

The Contest Rule is unique to The Claim and rewards confidence while adding risk to every possession.

When a player calls Contest, play immediately becomes a 1-on-1 matchup between the offensive player and the defender who committed the foul (or was involved in the play).

• The offensive player has 14 seconds to score.
• If the basket is made, the points count and the offensive team keeps possession.
• If the shot is missed, the offensive team loses possession and the value of the contested shot is deducted from its score.
• Miss a 2-point contest = -2 points
• Miss a 3-point contest = -3 points

The Contest Rule rewards confidence while adding risk to every possession.

Substitutions (3x3)

Only the team captain may request substitutions.

Every substitution must be approved by the referee before the substitute enters the court.

Technical Fouls & Sportsmanship

Basketball For Living(BFL) has a zero-tolerance policy toward disrespectful behaviour.

Any player or team official who:

• insults a referee,
• displays unsportsmanlike behaviour,
• fights,
• or abuses event staff,

may face disciplinary action from the organization.

Only the team captain may approach the referee regarding officiating decisions.

Timeout Violations (3x3)

If a team requests a timeout after using all of its allotted timeouts:

• The team loses possession.
• The opposing team is awarded one free throw.

Rule Updates

These rules are the official rules of The Claim and apply to all sanctioned Basketball For Living events.

Basketball For Living reserves the right to amend these rules when necessary. Any changes will be published on this page before taking effect.