Game / Playing Rules
Game consists of 2 – 20 minute running halves with stop time the last minute of each half. During the first 19 minutes of each half, the time only stops for injuries and timeouts.
Pre-game and halftime are usually 3-5 minutes, but may be shortened at the discretion of the referees and tournament officials in order to keep games on time.
If a game is tied at the end of regulation there will be a 1 minute overtime for all games (no time outs for either team, even if have some left – none carry over). If there is still a tie after one overtime, it goes to sudden death – the first team to score wins. All overtimes start with a jump ball.
Each team gets 4 full timeouts per game.
If a team is up by 25 points or more, the clock runs through the last minute, even if the lead slips below 25 points.
No full court pressing by the team leading once their lead reaches 25 points.
Bonus foul shots (1 and 1) starting on the 7th team foul per half. Double bonus on the 10th team foul per half.
Technical, flagrant, and intentional fouls are not shot. They are an automatic 2 points and ball possession for the non-violating team. If a player or coach is assessed two of these fouls, they are removed from the game and must leave the gym, and must meet with the tournament director before being allowed to play or coach in subsequent games. Technical fouls also count as personal fouls.
The regulation girls’ size (NFHS) basketball for high school play will be used for all girls’ age groups.
The regulation boys’ size basketball will be used in boys’ age groups 13 and above. Boys 10 through 12 shall use a girls’ regulation ball – unless both coaches agree to use a boys ball).
Teams must bring their own practice basketballs. The game ball will be chosen from one of the two teams.
All other rules that are not stated above will follow the NHSFA (National High School Federation) rules.
Miscellaneous
Each team will be asked to supply a person to keep the official scorebook or work the scoreboard for their team. There might be someone from the tournament staff already doing the scorebook and/or clock, in this case you will not have to supply anyone.
A. Record of teams head-to-head.
B. Point differential from wins and losses will be added together, with a maximum of 15 points being counted from each win and/or loss. ANY FORFEIT WILL COUNT AS 15 POINTS TOWARD THE OVER ALL POINT DIFFERENTIAL. The team with the greater point differential in total games will be the tie-breaker winner.
C. The team with the lowest total points allowed.
If a team signs up for a tournament and then has to withdrawal prior to the initial deadline of that tournament, they will get a refund for that tournament (minus a $15 processing fee).
If a team signs up for a tournament and then has to withdrawal after the initial deadline of that tournament, there will not be a refund issued unless a replacement team is found and pays the entry fee (in which case they will get a refund minus a $15 processing fee).
Player Eligibility
The coach is responsible for providing the appropriate identification for all of their players (birth certificate, copy of a current year report card, student picture ID with grade level, AAU membership card,…) for age division verification. If a player in question does not produce identification when asked, they may not play in any further games until it is produced. If this affects enough of your players where you cannot field at least five on the court, you will forfeit that game and all subsequent games, with a loss of any fees/admissions paid.
4th grade – 10 & under (this division is not available in all tournaments)
5th grade – 11 & under
6th grade – 12 & under
7th grade – 13 & under
8th grade – 14 & under
9th grade – 15 & under
10th grade – 16 & under
11th & 12th grades – 18 & under
AFBE GRADE ELIGIBILITY/RULES
12th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 12th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 19 on August 31, 2023.
11th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 11th grade as of October 1, 2022, can be no older than 18 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 12th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 11th grade division they can be no older than 17 on August 31, 2023.
10th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 10th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 17 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 11th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 10th grade division they can be no older than 16 on August 31, 2023.
9th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 9th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 16 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 10th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 9th grade division they can be no older than 15 on August 31, 2023.
8th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 8th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 15 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 9th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 8th grade division they can be no older than 14 on August 31, 2023.
7th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 7th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 14 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 8th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 7th grade division they can be no older than 13 on August 31, 2023.
6th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 6th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 13 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 7th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 6th grade division they can be no older than 12 on August 31, 2023.
5th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 5th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than12 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 6th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 5th grade division they can be no older than 11 on August 31, 2023.
4th Grade Division – An athlete must be in the 4th grade as of October 1, 2022, and can be no older than 11 on August 31, 2023. For an athlete that is in the 5th grade as of October 1st, 2022 wanting to play down, in the 4th grade division they can be no older than 10 on August 31, 2023.
There are no protests. All AFBE staff and referee decisions are final.
Players may play on more than one team in the tournament, as long as they are in different age divisions (and they are eligible in both of the age division). They must be on the roster of both teams.