TEAMS: Teams must have at least 3 players, but can also have up to 5 players if desired for substitutions / injuries. 

 

ADULT DIVISIONS: If an adult team has two or more players who have played college, semi-pro, or pro basketball, then that team must play in the Elite division. If an adult team has two or more players who are 6'5" tall or taller, then that team must play in the Elite division. If an adult team has one player with college/pro experience and another player who is 6'5" or taller, then that team must also play in the Elite division. All other teams are welcome to play in the Competitive division. All adult divisions will be played on the indoor courts.

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YOUTH DIVISIONS: Youth teams must complete in the division of the oldest team member. Example: if a youth team has three 10-year-olds and one 11-year-old, then that team MUST play in the 12 and Under division and not the 10 and Under division. Youth players may play up in older age divisions if comfortable doing so. Youth teams may also have a coach if desired.

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PRIZES: Winning teams in the adult divisions will receive a $500 cash prize, as well as a championship medals. Winning teams in the youth divisions will receive a prize package, as well as championship medals.

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SPECTATORS: Spectators are welcomed and encouraged... bring the FAM!! There is no entry fee for the fans.

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GAME FORMAT:

• This is a double elimination tournament with a 3 game guarantee.

• There will be a coin flip at the start of each game. The team that wins the coin flip gets to decide if their team will shoot for the ball from behind the 3-point arch, or if their opposing team will shoot to have possession of the ball to start the game.

• A team scores by either a two-point basket inside the arch, or a three-point basket behind the arch (with both feet behind the line), or by a one-point free throw (more details below).

• Each game will be played to 21 points (win by 2), with a maximum score of 25 points. If a team gets to 25 points, then that team only needs to win by 1 point.

• Each game will also have an 15-minute time limit. If neither team has reached 21 points at the end of 15 minutes, then the team leading after time expires wins the game. If tied, then next basket wins.

• The ball must be checked in at the top of the three-point arch by the offensive team to the team on defense after a basket is scored, after a foul/travel is called, or after the ball goes out of bounds. The ball must also be passed in by the team on offense (no dribbling in).

• The half court line counts as an out of bounds line.

• Substitutions may be made after a basket, foul call, or out of bounds play.

• Each team is allowed one 30-second time out.

• All teams may start and complete a game with any number of players (3,2,1). For example, if a team only has two players present then they may play 2 vs 3 as opposed to forfeiting the game.

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CHANGE OF POSSESSION

• After a basket is scored, the team scored upon will put the ball in play at the top of the arch. No "make-it-take-it."

• ​On defensive rebounds, steals, or airballs (i.e. every change of possession), players must return the ball by dribble or pass across the three-point arch line before a basket may be attempted (BOTH feet of the player possessing the ball must cross this line). Once across the line, the possessing player does not have to pass the ball before shooting.

• If there is a held ball, then possession will be given alternately based on which team started the game with possession of the ball. 

• If play is stopped and a call cannot be agreed upon by the two teams, then possession will be given alternately based on which team started the game with possession of the ball.

• The score MUST be called out before each time the ball is checked in to play.

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FOULS

• Fouls are called ONLY by the player claiming to be fouled. Generally, offense calls the fouls. However, there are a few exceptions where the defense can call fouls as noted below.

• If the team with the player fouled has been fouled 5 or less times by the opposing team, then that team will check-in the ball from the top of the arch.

• If the team with the player fouled has been fouled 6 or more times by the opposing team, then that team will be in the Bonus. If the team in the Bonus is fouled in a non-shooting act (e.g. while dribbling, off-the-ball, etc.), then that team will check-in the ball from the top of the arch. If the team in the Bonus is fouled on a shooting attempt, then that player will have the option to shoot two free throw attempts OR to check-in the ball from the top of the arch. 

• There are no "And-Ones". If the offensive player shooting is fouled and makes the shot, then the shot counts and no free throws are rewarded.

• Each free throw shot is worth one point.

• If the player shooting the free throw makes the second free throw attempt, then the opposing team will take possession and check the ball in at the top of the arch.

• If the player shooting the free throw misses the second free throw attempt, then it is a dead ball, and the opposing team will take possession and check the ball in at the top of the arch.

• A game CAN be won on a free throw shot.

• Charges will not be called as an offensive foul. However, blatant moving screens and over-the-back rebounds can be called as fouls by the defense.

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COURT MONITORS

• Court Monitors will make sure rules and policies are followed and participants stay safe during the 2023 JamFest Basketball Tournament. Court Monitors are accountable for ensuring that games stay on schedule and that accurate scores are being kept. Although players are responsible for calling their own fouls, the Court Monitors will make the final decisions for disagreements between teams. Court Monitors also have the authority to assess technical, intentional, and flagrant fouls in the games they are assigned to monitor.

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TECHNICAL FOULS

• A technical foul will be called for unsportsmanlike acts such as taunting, baiting, or trash talk. Taunting and baiting can involve derogatory remarks or gestures that incite or insult a player. Trash talk involves a deeply personal, verbal attack directed toward any person involved in the event. In extreme cases, the player may also be suspended from play and a coach or fan removed from the court for the remainder of that game or for the rest of the tournament. A player who aggressively comes into contact with or assaults a Court Monitor or other tournament official shall be automatically ejected from the game and for the remainder of the current tournament. Additional suspension for such acts will be determined by the JamFest organization on a case by case basis. The Court Monitor may also assess a technical foul if the monitor determines that the team is stalling in the interest of preserving a winning margin. A technical foul results in one point for the offended team AND possession of the ball.

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INTENTIONAL FOULS

• An intentional foul is a foul designed to neutralize an opponent’s obvious advantageous position. It is a foul which, based on the Court Monitor’s observation of the act, is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball. A foul shall also be ruled intentional, based on the monitor’s observation of the act, if while attempting to play the ball, a player causes excessive contact. An intentional foul results in one point for the offended team AND possession of the ball.

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FLAGRANT FOULS

• A flagrant foul may be of a violent or aggressive nature, or an act which displays unacceptable conduct. It may or may not be intentional. It may involve violent or aggressive contact such as striking, kicking, kneeing, moving under an opponent who is in the air, and crouching or hipping in a manner which could cause severe injury to the opponent. It may also involve dead ball contact or dialogue which is extreme or persistent, aggressive, or abusive. A flagrant foul results in one point for the offended team and possession of the ball. The player committing the foul will be suspended from play for the remainder of that game and possibly for the rest of the tournament. Technical, intentional, and flagrant fouls cannot be called by a player. A Court Monitor will make this call. Their decision is final.

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STALLING

• Stalling is prohibited. Stalling is a style of play in which a team does not actively attempt to advance the basketball toward the basket and shoot the ball at the basket. It is a method used in an attempt to run out the game clock to preserve a win. Stalling is considered an unsportsmanlike act and will result in a technical foul against the offending team.

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PLAYER INJURY

• A court monitor has the discretion to suspend play for the protection of an injured player. If a player is bleeding or has an open wound, that player will be directed to leave the game and properly bandage the wound. A player with any blood stained clothing or bandage must remove the stained or saturated material prior to re-entering the game. If it is believed that a player has lost consciousness during a game, or is severely injured, JamFest may require a written note from a medical doctor who has examined the player subsequent to the game injury and specifically authorizes that player to continue participation in the tournament.