General Tournament Information
For the Love of the Game Tournament Rules
- All games will consist of two 18-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
Player Eligibility Rules: 2025–2026 Season
1. Playing on Multiple Teams
- Players are not allowed to play for multiple teams at the same grade/age level, regardless of whether they are in different divisions (Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc).
- Players may only play for multiple teams if they are not in the same grade/age level.
Example:
- If a 7th Grade/13U player is on a Gold division team, they may not play for a 7th Grade/13U Silver division team.
- They may play for an 8th Grade/14U team in any division.
Penalties:
- If a player plays for two teams from different programs in the same division, the first team they play with becomes their primary team. The secondary team will forfeit any future games the player participates in.
- If a player plays for two teams from the same program in the same division, the first team they play for is their primary team, and the secondary team will forfeit any games the player participates in.
2. Team Certification Requirements
- All teams must be certified 30 minutes prior to their first game at the designated check-in.
- Failure to submit a roster may result in a technical foul at the start of the team’s first game.
- All players must be listed on the roster at team certification before their first game.
- Any player not listed on the team roster is ineligible for the playoff/bracket round.
- Players who miss the first day of the event may still play the next day if they are listed on the certified roster sheet.
3. Age/Grade Guidelines — Boys Divisions
- Youth teams (8U/2nd Grade through 14U/8th Grade) must follow the 2025–2026 G365 Age/Grade Based Guidelines (see “Certification Birthdates” document).
- Teams may have up to three (3) grade exceptions per team.
- Gold divisions have no limit on grade exceptions.
- High school players may not participate in the 14U/8th Grade division, regardless of age cutoff.
Advanced Grade Players:
- Players born in the correct birthdate range for a division but in an advanced grade are still eligible for that division, including Gold.
- Example: A player in 5th grade, born on 8/15/2015 or later, may play in the 10U/4th Grade division.
Reclassifying:
- “Reclassifying” (being held back a grade) does not take effect until August 15.
- Example: A player who just finished 7th grade and plans to repeat cannot play in 6th grade during the summer.
Documentation Required:
- Birth certificate for all boys players.
- For a grade exception, a hard copy report card must be presented.
Age Rule:
- A player in the proper grade for a division, but at least two years older than the division’s age limit before May 15, 2026, is ineligible for that division.
- Example: A 4th grader who turns 12 before May 15, 2026 may not play in 10U/4th Grade and must play in 11U/5th Grade or higher.
4. Age/Grade Guidelines — Girls Divisions
- All girls divisions are grade-based.
- Each player must present a hard copy report card.
- If a girls player plays in a boys division, they must follow boys division rules.
5. High School Divisions
- Divisions: Frosh/Soph, Junior Varsity, Varsity.
- Juniors & Seniors may not play Frosh/Soph.
- Seniors may not play Junior Varsity.
CIF Age Rule:
- “A student whose 19th birthday is attained prior to June 15 of the prior school year may not participate or practice the following year. A student whose 19th birthday is on or before June 14 is ineligible.”
- Junior college players are not eligible for FTLOG events.
6. Enforcement & Penalties
- Teams that fail to follow the certification process may be removed without a refund.
7. Protest Procedure
- An opposing coach may challenge a player’s age/grade exception
- Only the head coach or one bench assistant may file a protest – parents or fans cannot protest.
- Protests must be submitted before the game or within 30 minutes after the game’s completion.
Certification Age Breakdown
Gold divisions for all FTLOG tournaments are grade-based. Under these rules, any player who shows current proof of grade (report card, progress report, or school ID) is eligible to play for that grade level. All other divisions are age-based with three (3) grade exceptions allowed per team.
Example – A player playing 13U/7th Grade who shows proof that they are currently in 7th grade regardless of their birthdate is eligible to play as a grade exception. However, birthdate is still relevant. For example, please note that a player who is in 8th grade could still conceivably play 13U/7th Grade division if they fit into the correct age range. 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, including the Gold level.
See age ranges below:
8U / 2nd Grade
An athlete can be no older than 8 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2017 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2017 BUT is in the 2nd grade, that player is eligible for 8U as an exception
9U / 3rd Grade
An athlete can be no older than 9 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2016 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2016 BUT is in the 3rd grade, that player is eligible for 9U as an exception
10U / 4th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 10 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2015 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2015 BUT is in the 4th grade, that player is eligible for 10U as an exception
11U / 5th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 11 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2014 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2014 BUT is in the 5th grade, that player is eligible for 11U as an exception
12U / 6th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 12 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2013 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2013 BUT is in the 6th grade, that player is eligible for 12U as an exception
13U / 7th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 13 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2012 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2012 BUT is in the 7th grade, that player is eligible for 13U as an exception
14U / 8th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 14 on August 14, 2026
Birthday Range: August 15, 2011 – Present
If a player was born before 8/15/2011 BUT is in the 8th grade, that player is eligible for 14U as an exception
Additional Note:
All rosters must be completed via the Passport prior to the first game. If the roster for your team is not completed by the first game, the first game for your team is subject to forfeiture.