International 1v1 Basketball Rules – Official Rimpage Rulebook
These rules are current and authoritative as of May, 2017.
These are the official international 1v1 basketball rules, established by Rimpage — the world’s first global sanctioning body for competitive one-on-one basketball. Prior to this rulebook, 1v1 basketball lacked a unified and enforceable international standard. These rules govern all Rimpage-sanctioned matches, tournaments, rankings, officiating processes, and player advancement worldwide.
If you are searching for international 1v1 basketball rules, official 1v1 rules, or the definitive global rule set for competitive one-on-one basketball, this rulebook is the authoritative standard.
The Law of the Wild
This isn’t about organized basketball. This isn’t about leagues, brands, or sponsors. This is about truth. In the wild, skill speaks louder than anything—and only the better player survives.
These rules are not guidelines. They are the unbending laws that govern every Rimpage 1v1 match. They are designed to expose the truth of who is better—not who is luckier, louder, or more protected.
There are no referees here. No safety nets. Players are expected to self-govern—with honor, clarity, and respect for the hunt.
If you cheat, your win is worthless.
If you fake, your match is void.
If your skill can’t carry you, no rule will.
Where the rulebook is silent, the Code still speaks.
Let skill determine the outcome. Let the better warrior rise.
I. MATCH SETUP & START
1. Arrival and Start Time
● Players must arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled match.
● If one player is absent at match time, the other is awarded victory by forfeit.
● If neither player arrives by the scheduled start time, the match is canceled.
2. Scheduling Matches
● All matches must be scheduled before they are played.
● Use the official form
3. Game Ball Rule
● If Rimpage does not provide a ball and players can’t agree on one:
○ Decide who shoots for possession (coin toss or agreement).
○ That player gets first possession and selects the game ball.
● The chosen ball must:
○ Be in good condition (solid grip, balanced bounce, proper inflation).
○ Not give either player a clear advantage (size, weight, etc.).
● Same ball must be used the entire match unless both players agree to switch.
II. MATCH FORMAT
4. Win Conditions
● Game is played to 12 points (1s, 2s, 3s, 4s) or 25 rounds, whichever comes first.
● A round = one possession per player.
● If no one reaches 12 points after 25 rounds, the player with the higher score wins.
● If tied, the player who reached their final score first wins.
● Decus Pro matches may be untimed (no round cap).
● One player admits, accepts, implies, suggests, or indicates defeat.
5. Shot Box Scoring
● Regular shots = 1 or 2 points.
● 3-Point Shot Boxes: Wing boxes = 3pts.
● 4-Point Shot Box: Center (halfcourt) box = 4pts.
● Basket + Backboard/Rim Touch (dunk) = 2pts.
● Toe on the line = counts. You’re in.
III. POSSESSION RULES
6. Change of Possession
● After each made basket, turnover, defensive rebound, or two-shot attempt, possession
switches.
7. Check-in Procedure
● Offense must check the ball behind the 2pt line.
8. Rebounds & Shot Attempts
● One offensive rebound allowed.
○ You get a maximum of 2 scoring attempts per possession.
9. Travel Rules
● Traditional travel rules apply.
● No zero steps, gather steps, or delayed dribbles.
● Only two steps allowed on dunks/layups ONLY (not jump shots, step-backs, etc)
● When pivoting you may take a step and jump off the leg that took the step.
● Set your feet BEFORE you receive the ball. Picking up your pivot foot without dribbling is a traveling violation.
IV. FOULS & DISPUTES
10. Calling Fouls
● Call your own fouls within 3 seconds or lose the right to call it.
● You may not call a foul on behalf of your opponent. If you foul your opponent, but he chooses not to call it, play continues.
● Made baskets count if scored through contact.
11. Intentional Foul Rule
● You get 1 free intentional foul per match.
● After that:
○ Fouled player gets 1 free throw (counts if made)
○ Plus offensive possession
○ Basket counts if made during foul
○ 3 intentional fouls results in dishonorable forfeit
12. Respecting the Code
● Honor each other’s calls.
● If there’s a dispute, attempt to resolve:
○ On camera
○ During the match
● If not resolved within 3 minutes, shoot for possession.
○ If the designated shooter refuses, opponent may force a forfeit.
● In every case if one player refuses to abide by official rules, his opponent may
end the match, and appeal to Rimpage to designate the match a forfeit, supporting
his case with the match video.
13. Forfeit Guidelines
● If a player leaves or refuses to continue, allow a 10-minute grace period.
● If they don’t return or comply, match may be claimed via video-supported forfeit.
● If a dispute arises, players must:
○ Either reschedule
○ Agree to end the match
○ Or accept the current score as final
14. Stalling Rule
● The offensive player must make a timely, good-faith attempt to score.
● If a player is stalling:
○ Opponent may warn once (approach camera and announce the warning)
○ If it continues, appeal to Rimpage with video. A forfeit may be enforced.
V. INFRACTIONS & EQUIPMENT ISSUES
15. Forced Movement / Back-Down Rule
● If a player is established in a spot for 2+ seconds, he cannot be forced out.
● Offensive players may only back down until the defender holds his ground.
● Any shot taken after backing down must:
○ Be fading away from the basket
○ Occur outside the key
16. Court / Rim / Equipment Concerns
● Unsafe or compromised court/rim = report it.
● Players must attempt to fix the issue, or agree to:
○ Cancel
○ Reschedule
○ Forfeit
○ Or accept current score as final
17. Kicked Ball Rule
● If defense kicks the ball: possession is replayed.
● If this becomes a tactic, the offender may be forced to forfeit after warning.
VI. POST-MATCH RESPONSIBILITIES
18. Submitting Match Video
● Upload full match video (one match per video file) to:
○ Rimpage Google Drive
○ WeTransfer
○ Or email: 1rimpage@gmail.com
● Video must:
○ Be stable
○ Capture all shot attempts and results clearly
○ Use tripod or elevated position
○ Be in landscape format
19. Match Stats & Box Score
● The winner must complete and submit the box score form immediately after the
match.
20. Opponent Rating
● Players may rate their opponent’s:
○ Sportsmanship
○ Skill
21. Post-Match Disputes
● Only match participants can dispute a result.
● Must notify Rimpage within 24 hours.
● Disputing player must:
○ Specify what’s being challenged
○ State what resolution is desired
○ Pay $50 review fee
■ Fee is refunded if dispute is valid
■ If not, result stands and fee is kept
VII. FINAL LAW OF THE WILD
If any issue arises that interrupts fair, honorable competition, the player must:
● Attempt to resolve it respectfully during the match
● If unresolved, report it to Rimpage with video
Rimpage retains the right to expand, explain, or modify these rules to protect:
● The league
● The athletes
● And most of all: the truth of the hunt
These are the Laws of the Wild.
These are the Laws of the Wild
They are not negotiable.
They do not change depending on your mood, your following, or your opponent.
They exist to preserve the soul of the game.
The best (the most skilled) player should always win. These rules to protect and reveal the truth. All reward should be earned by becoming the better player. To win anyone way is dishonorable. Strive, not just to win, but to win honorably.
RIMPAGE IS DIFFERENT.
Playing Rimpage Matches
What to do before, during and after your match.
The first thing to know about Rimpage is that it is different from what we’ve all come to expect from organized basketball. Usually, in organized basketball, you join a team and they give you the game schedule.
Not with Rimpage.
Our athletes are empowered to schedule their own matches, and have complete control, deciding if, when, who, and where they play their Rimpage matches.
If you want to play 10 matches a week or 10 matches a year; if you want to only play indoors or you’re ok playing outdoors at the local park; if you want to play Rimpage players or non-Rimpage players, it’s up to you.
The following are some important details to keep in mind as you compete on Rimpage's platform.
Who, when, and where you play
Who Can You Challenge?
You may play any athlete, Rimpage or non-Rimpage, male or female age 15 and up. However remember, Rimpage’s ratings system rewards you for challenging tougher competition. Most of your matches should be against players within your city. However you may, when traveling, play against players outside your city and you may play outsiders when they visit your city.
Challenging matches also bring you more respect from your peers and your matches are more entertaining and therefore more likely to be watched by fans. Don’t be that guy who challenges his grandmother to get an easy win.
Where Can You Play?
You may play on any court where the playing surface is sufficiently marked and level, the size is close to regulation (2pt line, shot boxes, etc) and the rim and backboard are in decent condition and appropriately sized. Use good judgment. Also remember your matches can be viewed by basketball fans. So strive for quality.
When Can You Play?
Play as little or as much as you want. However remember your eligibility for certain prizes and events may be determined, in part, by number of matches played or victories won. Also keep in mind everything there is to gain from competing in Rimpage depends on you playing matches. So it serves you to develop a consistent playing routine.
You may play at night as long as there is sufficient lighting to provide for a fair match. No external condition (court, rim, backboard, lighting, interfering persons or objects, etc) shall influence the outcome of the match. The idea is for skill to be the dominant contributing factor to a player’s victory.
Before The Match
Make it official! Notify Rimpage BEFORE you start your match!
Matches must be officially scheduled by notifying Rimpage beforehand, which includes submitting a form for each individual match, telling Rimpage who, when, and where you’re playing. MATCHES MUST BE SCHEDULED BEFORE THEY ARE PLAYED. First schedule it, THEN play it. The only acceptable way to schedule a Rimpage match is to use this form
Match Rescheduling/Cancellation:
Anytime you need to change or cancel a scheduled match, as soon as possible, you must:
1. Let your opponent know, and
2. Let Rimpage know
Players can agree to change or cancel a scheduled match with at least 24 hour's notice, or risk forfeiture. Matches scheduled to start the same day can be canceled by giving the opponent 1 hour’s notice. Matches scheduled to start inside of 1 hour may be canceled at any time (before the match begins) without notice.
Pre-Match Interview (optional):
Optional interviews allow players to share their thoughts before the match, adding a personal and promotional element.
After The Match
Submitting Match Video:
Players must properly name and submit their match videos via Google Drive, WeTransfer, or another file transfer service.
Check Your Stats:
Look for your stats, rating, and rankings to be updated when your match video has been processed and your match result certified. Also check league leader boards and milestone and challenge progress trackers.
Opponent Rating (where available):
Players can rate their opponent's sportsmanship and performance, adding an extra layer of accountability and community feedback.
Post-Match Interview (optional):
Optional post-match interviews allow players to discuss their performance and experiences, providing content for Rimpage's media channels.
Dispute Match Result
Disputing a match that has concluded: Only the players who competed in the match can dispute the result of it. The two players have 24 hours after the conclusion of the match to inform Rimpage of their dispute. They must state exactly what they are disputing, (I.e. the result of the match, the result of a play, a particular stat, the legitimacy of a call, etc and why) next they must state the remedy they are seeking. (I.e.Do they want to correct a bad call that the result of the play may stand? Do they want to review a specific play to determine if it was correct?)
The player disputing the match must pay $50 when filing the dispute. Rimpage will then review the match to determine if the dispute is valid. If the dispute is valid the player receives his $50 back and the match result is corrected. If the dispute is deemed invalid, then the player loses his $50 and the result of the match stands.