Official Rules & Regulations

Registration & Eligibility

• Teams must register through the official registration platform.
• Each team consists of three (3) players, with a maximum of one (1) substitute, for a maximum roster of four (4).
• All roster changes must be submitted prior to the designated roster deadline.
• Participants must compete in the appropriate division based on age or grade eligibility as determined by Uptown Hoops, Inc.
• No refunds will be issued after registration unless the event is canceled in full.

Divisions

Divisions may include youth, high school, adult, coed, and adaptive categories.

Uptown Hoops, Inc. reserves the right to combine, split, eliminate, or otherwise modify divisions based on registration totals, competitive balance, or event logistics.

Equipment & Uniform Requirements

• No participant may wear jewelry or any item deemed unsafe by event officials.
• Hard casts, hard braces, or dangerous equipment are prohibited.
• Soft braces, sleeves, and athletic supports may be permitted at the discretion of event officials.
• Approved basketball sizes will be assigned by division.
• Uptown Hoops, Inc. reserves the right to disallow any equipment or apparel deemed unsafe, inappropriate, or non-compliant.

Court Specifications

• Hoop height is ten (10) feet for standard divisions.
• Hoop height is eight (8) feet for designated youth divisions.
• Free throw distance is fifteen (15) feet.
• Two-point range is designated by the marked perimeter line.
• Sideline and boundary determinations are governed by the court monitor and event setup.

Game Format

• Games are played to twenty-one (21) points or twenty-five (25) minutes, whichever occurs first.
• If a team reaches twenty-one (21), it must win by a minimum margin of two (2) points.
• If time expires before a team reaches twenty-one (21), the team with the higher score is declared the winner.
• If the score is tied at the conclusion of regulation, overtime will be played in sudden death format.

Possession & Game Start

• Initial possession is determined by rock-paper-scissors, best of three.
• All possessions must be checked at the top of the key.
• Following a change of possession, the ball must be cleared beyond the designated arc before a scoring attempt.
• Alternating possession applies after the initial game-start determination as governed by event rules.

Substitutions & Timeouts

• Each team is allowed one (1) timeout per game.
• Timeouts are limited to thirty (30) seconds.
• Substitutions may occur only during dead-ball situations or timeouts, unless otherwise directed by event officials.

Fouls & Free Throws

• Fouls are called by the player fouled.
• The court monitor has final authority over all foul rulings and related disputes.
• A shooting foul on a one-point attempt results in one (1) free throw.
• A shooting foul on a two-point attempt results in two (2) free throws.
• No rebounding is permitted on free throws.
• Free throw attempts must be taken without unnecessary delay.

Game Conduct & Delays

• Any team determined to be delaying the game will receive one (1) warning.
• If delay-of-game conduct continues after warning, the offending team may forfeit the game.
• Only the team captain or coach may address the court monitor regarding gameplay disputes.

Court Monitor Authority

The court monitor has authority to enforce rules, resolve disputes, determine out-of-bounds plays, administer game timing, address misconduct, and issue final rulings during competition.

All court monitor decisions are final.

Coed Play Requirements

In all coed divisions, at least one (1) female participant must be on the court at all times. Failure to comply may result in ineligibility, forfeiture, or other corrective action as determined by event officials.

Weather Policy

Games are scheduled to be played rain or shine. Uptown Hoops, Inc. reserves the right to delay, suspend, reschedule, or cancel any game or portion of the event due to weather, court conditions, safety concerns, or other circumstances affecting event operations.

Conduct & Sportsmanship

• All participants and team representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner.
• Players must comply with all instructions from event officials.
• Abusive language, threats, intimidation, or unsportsmanlike conduct may result in removal, forfeiture, or disqualification.
• Participants are responsible for their own conduct and the conduct of their team personnel.

Prohibited Conduct

• Fighting or physical aggression.
• Verbal abuse, harassment, or threatening behavior.
• Alcohol or illegal drug use at the event site.
• Intentional damage to facilities, courts, or equipment.
• Any conduct deemed by event officials to endanger participants, staff, or spectators.

Liability Waiver

All participants acknowledge the inherent risks associated with basketball and related event activities. Participation constitutes acceptance of the event liability waiver and release terms as required during registration and event participation.

Media Release

By participating in Uptown Hoops 2026, participants grant Uptown Hoops, Inc. the right to capture and use photographs, video, and related media for lawful promotional, editorial, archival, and organizational purposes.

Rule Enforcement & Amendments

Uptown Hoops, Inc. reserves the right to interpret, apply, revise, and enforce these Rules & Regulations at its sole discretion. Event officials may issue rulings necessary to address circumstances not expressly covered herein. All official decisions are final.

Last updated for the 2026 tournament cycle.