Player Eligibility

1. Player eligibility will be enforced through the use of player wristbands. Identification and proof of age will be required at check-in. Players under the age of 16 must have a copy of their birth certificate or another type of document showing their age. Teams using players not officially registered or using falsified information on rosters is grounds for player or team disqualification from the event. Team captains are responsible and will be held accountable for all information.

2. Eligibility problems will be addressed from time of discovery. No replay of games or adjustment will be allowed for previous tournament games and standing involving the team in question.

3. Players may appear on only one (1) team for each tournament. Any player appearing on more than one (1) team roster will have to choose one (1) team to play for.

4. All teams should wear similar colors to be easily identified during play by referee and court monitor.

Pre-Game
 

5. Only those teams scheduled to play are allowed to occupy the court at the scheduled time.

6. Teams MUST be at their court at their scheduled time, even if games are “running behind”. Teams will be given grace period of 5 minutes to arrive before forfeiting the game.

7. There is no dunking allowed before or during games. If this occurs during play, the point and possession will be lost.

8. A coin flip will be used to determine which team will begin with the ball at midcourt.

Scoring the Game
 

9. Games will be played to 16 points and teams must win by 2, however first team to reach 21 will be declared the winner. All games will have a 20 minute running clock. Each team will be awarded two (45 second) timeout per game. Teams must have a minimum of 3 players to start a game. Teams may have up to 5 players listed on their roster.

10. The 3-point line represents the “take-back” line as well as the “two-point” line. Successful shots taken from inside the line will be worth 1 point, while baskets made from outside the line are worth 2 points. Both feet must be clearly behind the line (when the shot is attempted) for the shot to count as two points.

11. If the game ends in a tie, the teams will play a sudden-death overtime with the team scoring first declared the winner. Possession will be determined by a coin toss.

Fouls and Violations

12. If player gets fouled in the process of shooting the ball and makes the basket, the team keeps point and ball gets turned over to other team.

13. If the court monitor rules that a foul was technical, the player fouled will shoot one free throw and that team will keep possession of the ball. The player called with a technical foul will get one warning.

On the second technical foul, a fee of $10 will be charged to guilty player. Player will not be able to participate in following games until current fee is paid.                                                                                              

14. Continual misconduct or intentional fouling will result in immediate dismissal of the guilty player or team from that particular game and/or all remaining games at the discretion of the event coordinator. Unnecessary vulgarity or abusive conduct will not be tolerated under ANY circumstances and will result in immediate dismissal without refund. Good sportsmanship is expected. Unruly parents and/or fans may also be removed from the area. Any ejected player must immediately leave the gym prior to play resuming. This is a family event. No profanity or abusive behavior toward officials, tournament administrators, or each other will be tolerated from players or fans.                                                

15. Slow Play: There will be no shot clock. However, it is a violation to "stall" or attempt to "freeze" the ball during play. Holding the ball or stalling will result in a turnover to the opposing team.                                                 

16. Hitting the top, the sides and bottom of the backboard are still in bounds.                                                               

17. The three second free throw lane rule will apply to all offensive players.                                                                         

                           
 

Time-Outs and Substitutions                                                                                                                      

19. Each team is allowed two 45 second timeouts per game. Clock continues to run, except last 3 minutes. Substitution is unlimited, but permitted only when the ball is not in play. Substitutions may be made after a basket, a foul shot, an out of bounds play, or any stoppage of play.         

                                                                           
Live Ball/Dead Ball Possessions                                                                                                                          

19. After a score, foul, or out of bounds the offense will begin possession at the top of the key.                                           

20. After a made basket or a dead ball situation, the ball must be checked by a defense player to an offensive player where the offensive player has both feet behind the take-back line. The offensive player must pass the ball in to start the action. The defensive player guarding the person checking in the ball must be inside the take-back line (cannot be in the player’s face guarding him before the ball is passed in).                                                                                                                

 21. On any change of possession, the offense must bring the ball past the take-back line before a shot can be attempted. Both feet must be completely behind the line. If a team forgets to take it back and makes a basket, the basket will not count, and the opposing team takes possession of the ball. If the shot misses, then the ball is live and both teams still need to take it back. 

22. Change of possession means any defensive rebound (including an air-ball), a steal, a made basket or a made (or missed) free throw. This is not make-it, take-it.                                                                                                                         

23. Defense gets possession after a score (no make-it-take-it).                                                                                          

24. Once across the line, they do not have to pass the ball before shooting.                                                                            

25. Any player may convert an offensive rebound.                                                                                                                                    

26. If a ball goes out of bounds and players and the court monitor cannot decide who gets possession of the ball or in the event the court monitor cannot solve a dispute, a coin flip will be made to determine the outcome of the dispute or who gets possession of the ball.                                                                                                                                                               

27. Time will not be stopped to discuss any call.                                                                                                        

                                                                                                     
The Officials:                                                                                                                                                               

28.The duties of the officials shall include scoring, time keeping, and refereeing. The officials shall conduct the game in accordance with the official rules. The officials shall penalize any player, substitute or coach for unsportsmanlike conduct by immediate ejection and banishment from the playing area.                                                                                             

29. Prior to the game, the referee shall perform a coin toss to determine ball possession.                                                          

30. The referee shall signal the ball in play to begin, to attempt free throws and shall call all other violations. The referee shall have power to make decisions on any point not covered in the rules.                                                                                                                                                                    

31. The team captain is the sole spokesperson for his/her team. Only the team captain will be able to voice a complaint or raise an issue with officials.

32. Any questions, complaints, or comments shall be taken up with the Event Coordinator.                                                       

33. The judgment decisions of the Court Referee cannot be changed by higher authority. Only questions concerning rule interpretation or eligibility are appealable.                                                                                                                                

34. Once play resumes after a disagreement or appeal, the decision is considered to be final. No further appeals will be allowed on that incident.                      

                
                                                                                                                                    
Gym Apparel/ Other:                                                                                                                                                         

35. Gym shoes must be worn on gym floor and during game. No hats or jewelry are allowed. For safety reasons, all jewelry must be removed including but not limited to the following: earrings, watches, wedding bands, friendships bracelets, tongue rings, nose rings, religious bracelets or rings within the eyebrow(s). The only exception is medical ID jewelry. In addition, the scholarship committee (MVMSF) will not assume responsibility for any lost or broken jewelry. Baseball caps, bandanas or any other hard hair holding devices will be prohibited.                                                                                                                                                        

36. While the game of basketball is a non-contact sport, injuries (mostly minor) do occur. Players should participate with this understanding. The scholarship committee (MVMSF) is not responsible for injuries incurred during play. It is strongly recommended that participants have satisfactory health status and accident insurance to cover any injury that may occur. Participants must assume full responsibility for any injury that may occur during the tournament. Participation is completely voluntary.                                                                                                                 

37. Alcohol/drugs are NOT to be brought to any facility. Players coming to their game under the influence will be disqualified from the tournament and escorted off the premises.                                                                                                                                                 

38. The format of the tournament will be determined once all teams have entered. The format may vary by division, depending on the number of teams within a division. The tournament director reserves the right to change the format based on external events (inclement weather). Players will be notified of changes if any.