Tournament Rules

General Tournament Information

For the Love of the Game Tournament Rules

• All games will consist of two 20-minute halves.
• All games will be running clock unless game is within ten points or fewer in the final two minutes of the game in which a stop clock will be used.
• Teams will be in single bonus at seven team fouls and will shoot one-and-one at seven fouls. When a team reaches ten team fouls for the half, the other team will shoot double bonus. 
• Each team receives three full timeouts per game and one additional timeout per overtime. Unused timeouts do not carry into overtime periods.
• Players foul out if they receive six personal fouls. In high school divisions, foul out will be at six fouls. 
• Each game will have a minimum of two minutes of warm-up time and halftime will be two minutes.
• Overtime will be the first team to score four points. There is no double overtime. 
• If two players on the same team have duplicate numbers and it is caught by either the referee or the scorekeeper, a technical foul will be assessed. If a player shows up late to a game with a duplicate number, a technical may be assessed then as well. If it is not caught by halftime by any party, it cannot be called in the second half of the game.
• Players cannot play on two teams during the same game time slot, regardless of program. Once a player has checked into a game, they cannot leave that game to play for another team even if they are listed on and eligible to play for multiple rosters.
• In all divisions, players may enter the lane when the ball is released out of the shooter’s hand.
• The home team is responsible for providing the game ball.
• Only one coach is allowed to stand at a time per team and must stay in the designated coaching box. A coach does NOT need to sit after their first technical foul.
• All boys divisions 6th Grade / 12U and up will use the full size 29.5 regulation basketball. All girls divisions, and boys divisions in 5th Grade and below will use the 28.5 size basketball.
• Jewelry including necklaces, rings, and metal bracelets are not permitted.  Stud earrings are only permitted if they are properly taped and as long as the official can confirm that they do not pose a risk for harm or injury.
• Any team which does not have five players (or their head coach) by the start of the game will be given a grace period of ten minutes before the game starts.  After ten minutes, the team may choose to play with four players, utilize an assistant coach or parent to supervise the kids, or For The Love of The Game reserves the right to enforce a forfeit
• In divisions 11U/5th Grade and younger, teams that have a lead of twenty points or more may no longer use a full-court press defense. 
• Rules that are not listed here will be in accordance with NFHS basketball rules.

Certification Rules

• Players are not allowed to play for multiple teams at the same grade/age level, regardless of whether they are playing in different divisions (Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc). Players may play for multiple teams only if they are not in the same grade/age level and within the same club program only. 
• Example: If a 7th Grade/13U player is on a “Gold” division team, she may not play for a 7th Grade/13U “Silver” division team. She may, however, play for an 8th Grade/14U team in any division as long as it is within the same club program.
• If a player plays for two teams from different programs in the same division, the first team they play with will be their primary team. When caught, the secondary team will forfeit any future games in which the player in question plays.
• If a player plays for two teams from the same program in the same division, the first team that they play for is considered their primary team and the secondary team will forfeit any games in which the player in question plays. 
• All teams must be certified thirty minutes prior to their first game at the designated team check-in.
• All players must be on the roster at the team certification before their first game. Any player not listed on the team roster will not be eligible to play in the playoff/bracket round. If a player misses the first day of the event, she may still play the next day if they are listed on the certified roster sheet.
• All girls divisions are grade-based. Each player must present a hard copy report card. 
• Players who are born in the correct birth date range for a division but are in an advanced grade, are still eligible to play in that particular division.. Ex. If a player hoping to play 10U/4th grade is in 5th grade, but was born on 8/15/2014  or later, they can still play in that division. Players who qualify age-wise are eligible for their respective division they qualify for, no matter what grade they are in.
• “Reclassifying,” or being held back a grade, does not go into effect until August 15. For instance, players who just finished 7th grade and plan on repeating CANNOT play in 6th grade during the summer months. 
• High school divisions will be 15U, 16U, and 17U.  Only Freshmen can play 15U, and Freshmen and Sophomores can play 16U. All high school graduating classes are eligible to play 17U. 
• Per CIF Rules, “A student whose 19th birthday is attained prior to June 15 of the prior school year shall not participate or practice on any team in the following year. A student whose 19th birthday is on or before June 14 is ineligible.” Junior college players are not allowed to participate in For the Love of The Game events.
• If a team does not follow the certification process they may be removed without a refund.
• An opposing coach can submit a challenge of a player’s grade or age exception with a $100.00 deposit. Parents or fans associated with a team may not protest. The protest must come from the head coach or the one assistant coach who is allowed on the bench per team. A protest of a player’s age or grade must be submitted before the game starts, or within 30 minutes of the game’s completion.

Certification Age Breakdown