Short answers for players, coaches, refs, and cities.

What is DunkBall in one sentence?

3‑on‑3, short‑court, 8.5‑foot rim, faster possessions, legal blocks and goaltending, and a half‑court deep‑shot worth 3.

Why the 8.5‑foot rim?

To open up above‑the‑rim play to more athletes and make dunks a frequent, crowd‑pleasing part of the game—safely—using appropriate breakaway or load‑limited rim hardware.

What are the exact court dimensions?

A standardized 50' × 42' short‑court designed for outdoor conversions from free-throw line to free-throw line.

How does scoring work?

1 point — layups and mid‑range

2 points — shots from beyond the 3‑point arc

2 points — any dunk

3 points — the “DunkBall” Shot, released from behind the half‑court line
Game: First to 11, win by 2.

What’s the “DunkBall” Shot?

A deep shot from behind half court. It’s worth 3 points and is a signature play of DunkBall.

Are blocks and goaltending really legal?

Yes. Blocks and goaltending are fully legal defensive plays in DunkBall. This creates high‑energy rim battles and cinematic finishes.

How does possession work after a made basket?

After every make, the ball goes the other way. You inbound from the opposing basket. No make‑it‑take‑it.

What happens on a foul?

Fouls are call‑your‑own. After a foul or stoppage, you check the ball at center court. No free throws.

How are disputes resolved?

With a single shoot‑for‑it from 3 point line.

How many players per team and how do games end?

3‑on‑3 on the floor. Games end when a team reaches 11 and wins by 2.

What equipment do we need to run a pilot?

One hoop set to 8.5 ft (breakaway or load‑limited preferred)

Marked 50' × 42' play area (or within the acceptable ranges)

A standard ball (Size 7 men’s / Size 6 women’s)

Is this safe for parks and schools?

Yes, when set up properly: keep the surface maintained, use breakaway or load‑limited rims, enforce no excessive rim hanging, and clearly post the rules.

Can we stream or charge admission to DunkBall events?

Commercial uses (paid leagues, ticketed events, broadcast/streaming, branded merch, equipment sales) require a license. Email luke@playdunkball.com.

Can cities convert courts in a day?

Yes. The system includes stencil templates and color specs enabling many conversions in one workday without full resurfacing (site conditions may vary).

Can we tweak the rules?

You may make pilot adjustments (e.g., optional 12–18s shot clock for tournaments), but official DunkBall events should follow the published rules unless otherwise licensed.

What about kids or youth play?

Youth programs can use the same format with age‑appropriate balls and clear safety briefings. Coaches should emphasize safe landings and no excessive rim hanging.

What’s the IP status?

DunkBall’s system, method, and scoring logic are publicly disclosed as of January 20, 2026. Patent rights are reserved, and DunkBall™ is a claimed trademark.

Who owns DunkBall?

Luke McNeel‑Caird is the owner/inventor of the DunkBall Sporting System & Method of Play.

Who do we contact for licensing or municipal pilots?

luke@playdunkball.com