RULES

Game Rules

*FIGHTING, EXCESSIVE YELLING AT OFFICIALS, FANS ON THE COURT DURING PLAY, OR ANY OTHER BEHAVIOR THAT DETRACTS FROM THE TOURNAMENT EXPERIENCE OR CREATES AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE VENUE WITHOUT A REFUND. THIS APPLIES TO COACHES, PARENTS, AND PLAYERS.

Once the schedule has been published there are no refunds for team entries

  1. ONE COACH is allowed to stand on the sideline, no exceptions. Any coach who excessively yells at officials and/or Vertical Hoops staff will be removed from the facility. Coaches set the tone for players and parents. It is our hope to have competitive fun basketball games. Fighting, swearing, and abusive behavior towards others has no place in Vertical Hoops tournaments.

  2. Time Rules: NEW!!!

    • 4th Grade-Varsity: Two 16 Minute Halves

    • Clock stops on all whistles.

    • 15 point lead, Under 12 mins in game clock runs.

    • 50 Min Game Schedules we will play two 16 min halves, clock runs except on FTs and last 2 mins of each half.

  3. 2- 4 minutes warm-up time.

  4. Tie-Breakers

    1. 2 teams = head to head, point diff, points allowed, points scored

    2. 3 or more = point diff, points allowed, points scored

  5. All teams must be ready to play no later than 10 minutes prior to their game time. If the court is available VH can begin games 6 minutes prior to posted times with both coaches consent.

  6. 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.

  • Good sportsmanship is always encouraged. The max amount of point for point differential is 20 so there is no reason to press a team up 30 points.

  • 6 fouls = player disqualification

  • 7 team fouls = 1 & 1, 10 Team Fouls = 2 shots

  • Three full timeouts per team. (50 Min Schedule = 2 Timeouts)

  • Overtime 2 minutes. (50 Minute Schedule = 1 Minute), After two overtimes site supervisor discretion on whether or not to play sudden death. (50 Minute Rule Only)

  • Technical Fouls / Flagrant Fouls

    1. Two Technical Fouls = Ejection. Player or coach may be removed for remainder of tournament. Site Supervisor will have the final decision.

    2. Fighting = technical foul and removal from remainder of tournament

ELIGIBILITY

NEW MOHEGAN SUN CHAMPIONSHIPS SPRING 2025. All teams must verify coaches and players. Link will be sent to coaches and program directors approximately 4-5 weeks prior to the event. Failure to verify will result in removal from the event without a refund. No exceptions / No Discussions

  • 4th Grade/10u : Player must be in 4th grade and/or not turn 11 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • 5th Grade/11u : Player must be in 5th grade and/or not turn 12 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • 6th Grade/12u : Player must be in 6th grade and/or not turn 13 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • 7th Grade/13u : Player must be in 7th grade and/or not turn 14 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • 8th Grade/14u : Player must be in 8th grade and/or not turn 15 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • 9th Grade/15u : Player must be in 9th grade and/or not turn 16 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • 10th Grade/16u : Player must be in 10th grade and/or not turn 17 prior to July 1, 2025.

  • Varsity : Players must be in 11th or 12th grade and/or not turn 19 prior to July 1, 2025.

Exceptions & Clarifications – Age and Grade Eligibility
Players who have been reclassified may exceed the typical age limit only with official documentation confirming their current grade placement. However, they are eligible only to compete in their actual grade, as verified by school records.

Players may not play down to a lower grade division in anticipation of a future reclassification year. Additionally, no player may participate in a grade division if they are more than two years older than the typical age for that grade level — regardless of their current enrollment status.

Example: A 16-year-old is never eligible to compete in the 8th grade division under any circumstances.

*Note: A player cannot play for more than one team in the same grade division.

Challenge Rules: (DOES NOT APPLY TO MOHEGAN SUN CHAMPIONSHIPS, IF A PLAYER IS NOT ON THE ROSTER HE/SHE HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED AND THEREFOR THE GAME IS A FORFEIT)

Coaches are allowed to challenge up to 2 players on the opposing team. During the challenge the game will be played under protest. All materials below must be provided before the end of the game to the VH site supervisor. If either player is proven illegal, a forfeit is assessed and the team is ineligible to advance. If the challenging coach is incorrect, he/she will be assessed a technical foul in the associated game. (The game will be stopped and the Technical Foul enforced against the challenging team at the first dead ball after documents have been verified,) If a challenge occurs players/parents will have to produce either a digital report card, power school screen shot, or some other photo ID proving current grade is accurate. If the correct information is not presented digitally by the end of the game by the parent the challenging team will win on a forfeit. (Game Score will be Entered as 1-0 to avoid a point differential unfair advantage).

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 for any reason will not receive a refund as games are scheduled.

  4. Teams that do not show up for games will face potential bans from future events including Mohegan Sun Championships.