Official 2026 Rules

Rules & Regulations

All teams, players, coaches, parents, guardians, and spectators are expected to follow Uptown Hoops rules, sportsmanship standards, event instructions, and liability terms throughout tournament weekend.

Event Dates

Saturday-Sunday, August 1-2, 2026

Setup and permit window begins Friday, July 31, 2026.

Location

Butte Original Mine / Original Mine Yard
Copper Mountain Park
Butte, Montana

Registration

Registration opens June 1, 2026. Registration and roster amendment deadline is July 15, 2026.

Divisions

  • 1st-2nd Grade Boys and Girls
  • 3rd-4th Grade Boys and Girls
  • 5th-6th Grade Boys and Girls
  • 7th-8th Grade Boys and Girls
  • High School Boys, High School Girls, and High School Coed
  • Adaptive Coed, Adult Men, Adult Women, and Adult Coed

Grade-based divisions are based on the grade the participant will enter in Fall 2026. Divisions may be combined, split, or modified depending on registration numbers.

Team Size & Game Format

  • 3 players on court with up to 1 substitute, maximum roster of 4 unless otherwise approved
  • Games are 25 minutes or first team to 21 points, whichever comes first
  • Team reaching 21 must win by at least 2
  • If time expires, the team with the highest score wins regardless of margin
  • Tied games go to sudden-death overtime

Basket Height

10 feet for most divisions. 8 feet for 1st-4th grade youth divisions.

Possession

Opening possession is determined by rock-paper-scissors, best of three. Jump ball or held ball possession alternates after opening possession.

Check Line

The ball must be brought back beyond the top-of-key/check line on every change of possession and checked after each score or dead ball.

Fouls & Court Monitors

  • Players call their own fouls, specifically the player who was fouled
  • Court monitors have final authority to overrule calls and manage the game
  • Shooting fouls result in free throws based on one-point or two-point attempts
  • Only team captains or coaches may address court monitors about calls or rules

Equipment & Safety

  • Players must wear proper athletic clothing and footwear
  • Jewelry, rings, necklaces, hard hair clips, or unsafe items are not allowed during gameplay
  • Casts, hard braces, guards, or dangerous equipment are not allowed
  • Soft braces, sleeves, or wraps may be allowed if they do not create a safety risk

Sportsmanship & Event Conduct

  • Respect the game, play fairly, and follow instructions from Uptown Hoops staff, volunteers, court monitors, and site directors
  • No abusive language, threats, intimidation, harassment, fighting, pushing, shoving, or unsafe conduct
  • No alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or intoxicated participation in the event area
  • Teams are responsible for their players, parents, spectators, and bench area
  • Unsafe or disruptive conduct may result in warnings, forfeiture, removal, disqualification, or loss of registration without refund

Media Release & Liability Waiver

By participating in, coaching, registering for, attending, or allowing a minor child to participate in Uptown Hoops, participants and parents or guardians agree to Uptown Hoops media release terms, liability waiver, assumption of risk, and event rules. Electronic registration, electronic signature, checkbox acceptance, or participation at the event may serve as acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms.