GameTime Tourney Rules

TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Coaches MUST confirm ALL numbers in the book prior to the start of the game. Coaches must have a copy of their roster (printed or digital) at all times at GAMETIME Tourneys events, including player name, number, and date of birth. Games will not start before the scheduled time without the consent of both teams’ head coaches.

2. Two 16-minute stop-time halves. The clock will run in the 2nd half anytime the lead is over 20 points. Once under 20 points, stop time resumes. (14-minute halves for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th).

3. Each team gets 3 timeouts per game (45 seconds). Teams will get ONE timeout in overtime. (Timeouts will NOT carry over)

4. On the 10th foul in each half, the opposing team will shoot 1 and 1. On the 12th and each additional foul, the opposing team will shoot 2 free throws. 2 free throws are shot for a technical foul.

5. In 3rd, 4th and 5th grade (and all divisions labeled elementary), players are allowed to jump over the free-throw line as long as the ball is released from behind the line.

6. 2-minute warm-up period before the game and 2-minute halftime.

7. Any coach or player receiving two technical fouls will be ejected from the game. Any coach ejected from the game must also leave the facility. To be eligible to coach another game that weekend, approval must be granted from the tournament director. Any player ejected from a game will be suspended from playing their next game. All further disciplinary action will be determined by the tournament director.

8. Overtime will be 2 minutes with stop time. After two overtimes, the first team to score 3 points wins the game. In overtime, both teams get ONE timeout (no carryover).

9. Players will be disqualified once they have committed their 5th foul.

10. Girls and Boys will have a 10-second backcourt violation.

11. All girls and 3rd-6th grade boys will use a 28.5 ball. All boy’s 7th grade and older will use a 29.5 ball. If both coaches agree to use a 29.5, Gametime Tourneys will allow this.

12. All defenses and offenses are allowed. Pressing is allowed for all grade levels, although no pressing in any grade level is allowed if the lead is 20 points or greater for the winning team. All trapping defenses are considered a press, either half-court or full-court.

13. When determining the teams who advance to playoffs: In a two-team tie, if the teams have played each other, head-to-head is used. If they have not, the tie-breaker goes to point differential (if also tied in point differential, then points allowed and then points scored). In the case of a three-team tie, point differential is used applied. In the case of a tie determining playoff advancement when only one team has a forfeit victory, point differentials against a common opponent(s) will be used to settle the tie. *Schedule requests cannot be made for bracket play*

14. Players are only allowed to play on one team; however, a player may also play on one additional team as long it is ABOVE their age group WITHIN their program. A player CANNOT play on more than one team in one age group. Gametime Tourneys must be notified in writing prior to Friday before the tournament if a player is playing on multiple teams to be granted this exception.

15. If a team forfeits a game, they CANNOT advance from Pool Play. Additionally, any team who no shows a scheduled pool OR playoff matchup without notifying a Gametime Tourneys site or tournament director in writing will receive a written warning on the first violation of this rule, receive a one week ban on the second violation, and a full season ban on the third violation. This rule is in place to ensure teams have the best possible experience.

16. In the event that a team is scheduled for 4 Pool Games: if the team is playing 3 games on Saturday their third game on Saturday will be considered Exhibition. If the team is scheduled for 2 games on Saturday and 2 games on Sunday, their second game on Sunday will be considered Exhibition.

17. Formal complaints and protests must be submitted in writing

18. Gametime Tourneys expects all players, coaches, parents, spectators, and staff to act in an appropriate manner. If a situation arises GAMETIME staff may remove a person from the site.

19. It is the home team’s responsibility to provide the book at the scorer’s table only. (Home team is the first team listed on the schedule). If neither team provides a book, the GAMETIME scorekeeper will be used as the official scorer.

20. Teams will be given 2 coach credentials and are required to wear them in order to enter the gym, see the ticket person at each site for coach’s badges. *Site director has the right to remove any nonessential bench personnel*

21. In all other situations, High School rules will be applied.

22. Up to a 15-minute grace period is allowed from the scheduled start time of a game at the Gametime site director’s discretion. Additional time will be allotted if a team is coming from another game at a separate facility. *If a team chooses to start a game with 4 players, they can do so, and the game will still count*

23. In the situation of a physical altercation, any player who leaves the bench to participate is ejected and suspended for the following game. Additionally, if a player initiates or participates in a physical altercation, they are ejected and suspended for the following game. Lastly, in the occasion where a team with multiple players engages in a physical altercation, the team will be suspended for the following game and forfeit the current game.

*In the event a game is called in progress due to a physical altercation, the initiating team will forfeit the game*

24. Site director/tournament director will have final discretion in all rulings, including tiebreakers.

* Gametime Tourneys is not responsible for any lost or stolen items at events*

STANDING AND TIEBREAKERS

Tiebreaker #1: Winning Percentage (Highest winning percentage)

Tiebreaker #2: Head-To-Head (ONLY USED IN A TWO-TEAM TIE – team with the same record – The team with the

most head-to-head wins)

Tiebreaker #3: Point Differential – Largest point differential – Caps at 20. 

Tiebreaker #4: Points Allowed – (Team allows fewer overall points score against them over first three games

played)

Tiebreaker #5: Points Scored – (Team scores most points overall in the first three games played)

GRADE ELIGIBILITY

Teams must play in a grade-appropriate division with the age of players on their rosters – View Divisions page for appropriate ages within a division.

  • To be eligible for 3rd Grade (U9):To compete at the 3rd grade level athletes must be enrolled in the 3rd grade and cannot turn 10 until after June 10, 2024.
  • To be eligible for 4th Grade (U10):To compete at the 4th grade level athletes must be enrolled in the 4th grade and cannot turn 11 until after June 10, 2024.
  • To be eligible for 5th Grade (U11):To compete at the 5th grade level athletes must be enrolled in the 5th grade and cannot turn 12 until after June 10, 2024.
  • To be eligible for 6th Grade (U12: To compete at the 6th grade level athletes must be enrolled in the 6th grade and cannot turn 13 until after June 10, 2024.
  • To be eligible for 7th Grade (U13): To compete at the 7th grade level athletes must be enrolled in the 7th grade and cannot turn 14 until after June 10, 2024.
  • To be eligible for 8th Grade (U14): To compete at the 8th grade level athletes must be enrolled in the 8th grade and cannot turn 15 until after June 10, 2024.
  • To be eligible for 9th Grade (U15):To compete at the 9th grade level athletes must currently be enrolled in 9th grade at an accredited high school or preparatory school. The player must also be eligible under the National High School Federation Rules.
  • To be eligible for 10th Grade (U16):To compete at the 10th grade level athletes must currently be enrolled in 10th grade at an accredited high school or preparatory school. The player must also be eligible under the National High School Federation Rules.
  • To be eligible for Varsity Grade (U17): To compete at the varsity level athletes can be no older than 19 on August 31, 2023. An athlete must also currently be enrolled at an accredited high school or preparatory school. The player must also be eligible under the National High School Federation Rule

GAMETIME does not require birth certificates. A player eligible for GAMETIME Tournaments is determined by their grade in school. If a team is found to have illegal players during the event, the event coordinator will forfeit all of the team’s games & will no longer be allowed to participate in the GAMETIME event.

**Age exception: team containing a player that falls outside of the age boundary but is in the appropriate grade of competition within one year. All age exception requests must be submitted to Gametime in writing at least 3 days prior to the event. Without written approval from Gametime Tourneys, the requested age exception will not be honored. Any team with an age-exception player must play in the A division.

***Gametime Tourneys has final discretion in the level of play teams register***

CANCELLATION POLICY

All Gametime Tournaments are subject to cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. In the case that we have to cancel, we will notify all registrants as soon as possible and refund the registration fees. All hotel reservations, travel, or other cost, are the sole responsibility of the registrants. Therefore, Gametime Tourneys will not be held liable for any of those costs incurred in the event of a cancellation. Gametime credit refunds will be granted if canceled 75 days in advance.  A credit will be applied to the customer’s account and is redeemable for any event within 12 months of the original purchase. There are no refunds/credits given for cancellation 30 days before the event.