The tournament is made up of two stages:
- Stage 1 – Group Stage
- Stage 2 – Playoff Stage
The Group Stage will include all 12 teams divided into three groups. Teams will play the other teams within their group. Winners of the first round game will play the losers of the other game within their group for round 2. Teams with 2 losses are eliminated from the tournament unless that number is greater than 4. A third round will be played should it be needed to eliminate the number of teams down to the 8 teams that will advance to the Playoff Stage.
The Playoff Stage will only involve the top eight teams. Losers in the first round of this stage will be eliminated and will not play again. Winners of the first round of the playoffs are guaranteed two more games regardless of the outcome of their next game. Winners will advance to the Championship Game while the losers of the Semi-Final will play for 3rd place.
For more information on the Stages click here
Rankings play a major factor in the Playoff Stage, but may also come into play in the Group Stage as well should a third round be needed in that stage. Rankings will be determined by number of wins and percentage of margin of victory over that team’s opponents.
Stage 1
Teams with two wins in the Round 1 and 2 of Stage 1 will receive the highest seeds while one win teams will receive the lower seeds and teams with 2 losses will receive the last seeds.
Two loss teams after Round 2 will be eliminated unless the number of teams remaining after Round 2 unless that number is greater than 4. In this case the highest rated teams with two losses will play to determine who gets to advance. Should the number of teams remaining after Round 3 be greater than 8 the lowest seeds of the teams remaining will play to determine who gets to advance to Stage 2. Up to three games may be played in Round 3.
Round 3 wins in the Group Stage will not count towards their rank, however their margin of victory will be calculated in to help break tie breakers with other teams that may have played in Round 3 of Stage 1.
Stage 2
The top 8 teams will advance to the Playoff stage.
Ranking Guide
The First factor in ranking will be wins in Rounds 1 and 2 of Stage 1.
The tie breaking factor will be the percentage of margin of victory.
The Percentage of Margin of Victory has been chosen as the tie breaking factor for a couple reasons. We want the rankings to be based upon each individual teams performance and not that of other teams, that is why their is no “who beat who” style tie breaker. Another reason is that each team has its own play style: some teams may play slow paced and others fast, some will focus on defense and others on offense. Due to this the most consistent way to determine the tie breaker is not to use margin of victory alone, but rather the percentage that margin is of the total points the team scored; this levels the playing field so as not to favor one play style over another.
See 5 team Ranking Example below
This tournament is designed for 12 teams. Each team must have at least 5 starting players and as many substitutes as wanted, however, if you have more than 10 players we suggest registering multiple teams. Each team is assigned a mascot and color. Matching uniforms or shirts are not necessary. Shirts worn should be within that team’s accepted colors. Digital versions of the team logos will be provided upon registration should a church desire to use them to make customized uniform shirts. More information specific to each team will also be provided to each team upon registration.
Churches may register for multiple teams should teams be available. If churches register multiple teams players must remain on the team that they first play for, they may not transfer to another team. If one of your church’s teams is eliminated players from that team may not play for another team from your church, they are eliminated with their team. Every Team is guaranteed at least 2 games.
There are only 12 teams to choose from at registration, once a team is chosen it may not be selected by any other church. Registration is first come first serve. Once all teams are filled, registration will be closed.
GAME RULES
Players on the court for each team: 5
Substitutes: no limit
Game Length:
Stage 1 – Rounds 1,2 = 20 Minute Full Game
Stage 1 – Round 3 = 10 Minute Full Game
Stage 2 = 15 Minute Halves, 5 Minute Halftime
Championship Game = 20 Minute Halves, 5 Minute Halftime
Overtime = 1 Minute
Warm up time:
Stage 1 – Rounds 1,2 = 10 Minutes
Stage 1 – Round 3 = 5 Minutes
Stage 2 = 10 Minutes
First Possession: Coin Toss
Clock Stoppages: No
Foul Outs: No
Free Throws: 1 Shot with points equal to original shot attempt
Out of Bounds: Top of Key Check-in (if offensive ball on their side of court) ; Baseline Throw-in (if defensive ball on opponent side of court)
Non-Shot Fouls: Top of Key Check-in (if offensive ball on their side of court) ; Baseline Throw-in (if defensive ball on opponent side of court)
Player/Team Rules
Players: Minimum of 5 players per team
Players may not play on multiple teams or switch teams if their team is eliminated.
Players that did not play in Stage 1 may play in Stage 2 if their team advanced to that Stage and that player did not play on another team in Stage 1.
If a team fails to be able to put together 5 players for a game, someone else either a spectator or a player from another team may join that team. That player will then be a part of that team for the remainder of the tournament and can no longer play on that player’s original team.
Both Male and Female players, ages 16 and older, are accepted.
Uniforms: Matching Uniforms or shirts are NOT necessary.
Shorts/Pants may be any color you like.
Shirt Color Tone may vary but may be within the accepted colors for your team.
No Vulgar or inappropriate lettering or images on clothing.
Schedule: Most teams will have a break between games during this break teams are free to leave the building so long as they are back on time for their next game. Teams are given warmup time before each game, however, if a team is late they may miss this warm up time. The schedule of events will be as strict as possible. Be sure to be on time for your team’s games.
