RULES

Game Rules

  1. Time Rules:

    1. Two 16 minute Halves

    2. Clock stops only on free throws & last 2 minutes of each half. Please inform your parents of the timing rules. Failure to do so causes stress and negativity towards the scorekeepers.

  2. Ball Size

    1. 29.5 (Size 7) for grades 7th-9th, 28.5 (Size 6) for grades 4th-6th

  3. 2- 4 minutes warm-up time.

  4. 20 point difference the clock runs.

  5. Pressing Rule (4th grade -6th grade) only

    1. Teams can press in the first half until they are up by 10 or more points.

    2. Teams can press in the second half until there are up by 20 or more points.

  6. 6 fouls = player disqualification

  7. 7 team fouls = 1 & 1, 10 team fouls = 2 shots

  8. Two full timeouts per team. In the event of overtime each team is given an additional timeout. (Timeouts do not carry to second overtime).

  9. Overtime 2 minutes. If still tied after one overtime the first team to score 3 points in second OT will be the winner. For example, if Team A scores a two point FG and then Team B scores a 3 point FG on the next possession the game is over and Team B is the winner.

  10. Technical Fouls / Flagrant Fouls

    1. Two Technical Fouls = Ejection (Coach or Player). Vertical Hoops supervisors along with NEOS (officials) will make the determination on whether of not that player or coach will face further penalty, such as a game suspension or removal from the tournament.

    2. Fighting = REMOVAL FROM THE EVENT NO EXCEPTIONS. ADULTS ENGAGED IN FIGHTING ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE MOHEGAN SUN TRIBAL POLICE AND THEIR RULES AND REGULATIONS.

Roster Rule

  • Players cannot play for more than one team in the same age group even if the two teams are in two separate division levels (Gold & Silver for example). A player can play for two teams in different grades. For example, a 7th grader can play on his/her 7th grade town team and if he/she chooses can also play up on an 8th grade team. A player can also play in both the town travel division on one team and the AAU division on another team, even if those two teams are the same grade.

  • We will ask coaches to enter their rosters on the exposure events platform by December 15th. Roster should include player name and uniform number. Players not listed are not eligible to play. If an ineligible player competes that team will forfeit that game. Decisions on can be made retroactively if the site supervisor determines a team was attempting to gain an advantage. If a coach simply forgot to enter a player and the mistake was noticed in game 1, the site supervisor can allow the player to compete without a forfeit. Understand, our goal is to discourage cheating, not to punish an honest mistake and ruin a weekend for a team, player, and family.

  • If a coach believes a player on another team is ineligible for whatever reason that coach needs to let the scorekeeper/referee know before the game begins that they would like to challenge that player’s eligibility. At that point the court staff will notify one of the Vertical Hoops site supervisors who will address the challenge as quickly as possible. Parents should be prepared to provide the site supervisor with proof on their phone (or paper) confirming a player’s grade or town of residence. If the challenge involves breaking of the “single grade roster” rule above we will need proof to provide a final decision on the challenge.

Tie-Breakers:

In the event of a tie in your division in the standings the first tie-breaker if only two teams are involved in the tie is Head to Head. If there are more than 2 teams involved in the tie than point differential is the next tie-breaker. Please remember that the maximum amount for point differential for one game is 20 points. So if you beat a team by 40 you will see 20 show up next to your team in the standings. This is to encourage good sportsmanship. If the teams are still tied the next tie-breaker is total points allowed in pool play and then finally total points scored. If there is still a tie a coin flip will be used to break it.

Program Conduct

  1. Parents, fans, coaches, and players are all expected to conduct themselves appropriately. Swearing at or excessive yelling at refs, opposing players, or other fans will result in removal from the facility.

  2. All teams must provide a contact person who is reachable during the tournament.

  3. Team dropouts due to Covid or any other reason will not receive a refund as games are scheduled.