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TOURNAMENT PLAYING RULES

The official rules will be the National Federation of State High School Rules for the tournament

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TOURNAMENT GAMES

All BlackTop 24/7 events will offer 2 pool play games, including bracket play.  All teams will advance to Sunday's bracket play, which serves as the playoffs.

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Teams are given a 10-minute grace period to arrive before the game is declared a forfeit.

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DIVISION

All divisions will play two (2) 18 minute running halves.  Clock will only stop in the last two minutes of the final half if point difference is 10 points or less

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BASKETBALL SIZE

Boys 12u - 17u : 29.5

Boys 8u - 11u: 28.5

Girls - 28.5

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TIME-OUTS

(3) full timeouts and (1) time-out each overtime

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HALFTIME

Two (2) minutes in duration

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OVERTIME

First - one (1) minute in duration

Final - sudden death

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BONUS

Single bonus on the 7th team foul.  Double bonus on the 10th team foul

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PLAYER FOULING OUT

A player who commits SIX personal fouls over the course of the game

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TEAM/PLAYER UNIFORMS

All teams are required to have matching uniforms to participate in the tournament.  Each uniform must display a number if there are multiple players with the same number, the team will receive a technical foul at the beginning of the game or when the issue is identified.

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***If a rule or guideline is not listed on our website, the official ruling will default to CIF high school rules***

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PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

DIVISIONS OF PLAY:  8U/2ND - 14U/8TH

Basketball age guidelines for 2025-2026 season, which runs from August 15, 2025, through August 15, 2026.

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Age is based on August 15, 2026.  A player must not be older than the division they are playing in at any point during the season.  A player cannot turn the next age until after August 15, 2026.

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GRADE EXCEPTION

Each team is allowed up to one grade exception.  This means if a player is in the correct school grade but older than the standard cutoff, that player may still participate in that grade division.  

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GIRLS AGE GUIDELINES

Girls are allowed to play one grade lower when participating on a boys team.  Example:  A 12u/6th grade girl may play on 11u/5th grade boys team. 

Age is based on the player's current age at the time of the event.  This exception only applies only to girls. 

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YOUTH DIVISIONS

8U/2ND GRADE

9U/3RD GRADE

10U/4TH GRADE

11U/5TH GRADE

12U/6TH GRADE

13U/7TH GRADE

14U/8TH GRADE

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HIGH SCHOOL DIVISIONS

9th Grade/15u

10th Grade/16u

Varsity/17u

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All high school divisions are grade based.  The Varsity/17u division is an open division.  Unsigned seniors with remaining high school eligibility and unsigned prep school players are eligible to participate if they have not committed in writing to play for a collage at any level. 

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All protests will be heard by Tournament Director or Head Official.  All decisions made by the Tournament Director or Head Official are FINAL.

CHALLENGES

Protest & Challenge Policy

  • A protest must be issued during the first half of the game.

  • The protest must be acknowledged by the game official at the time it is made.

  • The game will continue to be played under protest, and roster certification will take place after the game.

Challenge Requirements:

  • The challenging coach must:

    1. Be able to certify their entire roster.

    2. Pay a $50.00 challenge fee.

Challenge Outcomes:

  • If the challenger is correct, the ineligible player will not be allowed to compete in future games and the challenger’s $50.00 will be refunded.

  • If the challenged coach provides proper proof (birth certificate, state-issued ID, or passport), the challenge is denied, and the $50.00 will be awarded to the challenged coach.

Accepted Proof of Eligibility:

  • Birth Certificate

  • State-Issued ID

  • Passport

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PLAYING ON ONE OR MORE THAN ONE TEAM

A player can play on two teams in the same tournament provided the following conditions are met:

The teams are from the same organization.

The teams are not in the same division.

The player meets the eligibility on both teams.

Once bracket play begins, the player must have played in at least one pool play game in the division in order to compete in that divisions bracket play.

CONDUCT

1. Spectator Conduct

  • There is zero tolerance for any spectator who: 

  • Steps onto the court during the game

  • Approaches an official

  • Approaches the score's table

  • Approaches a team's bench during the game

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2. Coach Conduct

  • Coaches must remain within their designated coaching box.

  • First Offense: A warning will be issued.

  • Second Offense:  A technical foul will be assessed.  

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3. Enforcement of Rules

  • These rules align with standard high school basketball regulations and will be strictly enforced. 

  • The purpose of these rules is to ensure the safety of players, coaches, officials, and spectators.  

  • Tournament directors, coordinators and referees have the authority to enforce these rules as necessary.  

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All coaches are responsible for the behavior of their team and parents.  Conduct of players and coaches should be above reproach both on and off the court.  Any misbehavior or misconduct, on or off the court, will be subject to individual and/or team disqualification from the tournament.

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DIVISION/COMPETITION LEVEL

WEST DIVISION (D1)

This is the upper division for Travel Teams with advanced players.  Players will have solid fundamentals and can do skills at a high level with control, speed and power.  

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EAST DIVISION (D2)

This division is for local teams and geared for intermediate level players.  

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SOUTH DIVISION (D3)

This division is for newly formed teams at the developmental stage.  This division allows teams to play with and against like talent in a controlled setting focusing on skill development and understanding of the game. 

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Last updated 9/5/2025​​

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