Layups For Luca

LAYUPS FOR LUCA RULES (2024)

• Universal basketball rules will be administered by tournament referees, with the exception of the following special tournament rules stated below.
• Each game will have one referee and one scorekeeper.
• Opening possession for POOL PLAY games will be determined by ONE rock/paper scissors (not best of 3) match administered by referee.
• Starting possession for single elimination playoff bracket games will be given to the higher/ better seed.
• Games will begin PROMPTLY on time. There are no grace periods. Arrive at least 20 minutes early for your first game, 15 minutes early for all remaining games.
• Teams should have 3 players to start their game, but they can play with 1 or 2 players as well if short-handed at game time.
• Game length/ game winner…first team to score 15 points (straight up/ NOT win by 2), or the leading team after 20 minutes of running clock play, whichever comes first.
• A regulation field goal is worth 1 point.
• A field goal with both feet beyond the arc when the ball is released is worth 2 points.
• Substitutions are allowed upon any DEAD BALL situation. Player substitutes or 4th/ 5th grade “adult helpers” must yell “SUB” to the referee and the referee must grant the substitution.
• NO COACHING/ NO EXCEPTIONS: There will be no coaches or coaching at Layups for Luca. No exceptions. ZERO adults will partake in offering verbal coaching instruction to the players on the court, berating or harassing referees, scorekeepers or tournament officials. In the 4th/ 5th grade boys and girls divisions, an "adult helper" will be permitted. See below.
• ADULT HELPER ROLE: For the 4th/ 5th grade divisions ONLY, ONE adult on the sideline per team is permitted. The role of the adult helper is to assist with substitutions ONLY. ZERO adult helpers will partake in offering verbal coaching instruction to the players on the court, berating or harassing referees, scorekeepers or tournament officials. Volunteers. If an adult helper steps outside his/ her role, that team will not be permitted to have an adult helper effective immediately.
• No timeouts. Clock stops only if referee determines that it should be stopped (injury, discrepancy, etc.)
• Jump ball calls will result in possession automatically going to the defensive team.
• Each game and each dead ball possession start will begin by “checking it up”…the offensive player who starts with the ball must have both feet behind the arc (anywhere between arc and half court out of bounds line, centered at the top of the key, and that offensive player must pass the ball in to live play.
• The defensive player who checks the ball up, must have both feet inside the arc until the ball is passed in.
• Possession will change after each basket scored (NOT “make it - take it”).
• Live ball change of possession: when a defensive team gains possession from the offensive team, they must take the ball back and possess the ball with at least one foot completely beyond the arc on every live ball change of possession, including steals and air-balls by the opposition.
• A violation of the “live take back rule” will be handled this way…a violation occurs only if a team failing to properly take it back scores a basket. The basket will be waived off by the referee, points scored will not count, and the opposing team will be granted possession (dead ball/ check it up)
• The Free Throw line for ALL DIVISIONS will be the regulation free throw line. Free Throw shooter violations will be called in all divisions.
• 5 second rule: 5 seconds for the offense to pass the ball in play when “checked up”.
• 7 second rule: 7 seconds to shoot a free throw once in possession of the ball (by referee).

Overtime rules of pool play games:

• One Rock, Paper Scissors match (not best of 3) determines who starts w possession in OT.
• Pool play OT is sudden death, first score wins.

Overtime rules of single elimination playoff games:

• One Rock, Paper Scissors match (not best of 3) determines who starts w possession in OT.
• Single Elimination OT will be 3 minute running clock. Team in the lead after 3 minutes wins the game. If still tied, repeat the 3 minute OT period until there is a winner.

Shooting fouls will be handled in the following manner:

• When the live basket is made (“and one” situation) – the fouled player is given one free throw. Whether the free throw is made or missed, possession automatically goes to the defensive team.
• When the live basket is missed – the fouled player is given one free throw. If the free throw is made, possession goes to the defensive team. If the free throw is missed, the offensive team retains possession.
• Note: one (1) free throw will be awarded to the fouled player, even if fouled in the act of attempting a shot from behind the 2-point line.

Non-shooting fouls will be handled in the following manner:

• For the first 5 team fouls in a game, a non-shooting foul will result in the offensive team retaining possession, and “checking it up”.
• On the 6th team foul (and every team foul after the 6th), the offensive player will receive one free throw on a non-shooting foul…
  • If the free throw is made, possession goes to the defensive team.
  • If the free throw is missed, the offensive team retains possession.

Flagrant/ Intentional Fouls and Technical Fouls:

• Flagrant Fouls and Technical Fouls will result in one free throw AND possession for the opposing team.
• Flagrant Fouls and Technical Fouls will also be considered and count as team fouls.
  • ONE flagrant foul or technical foul by a player will result in the immediate ejection from that game for the individual (regardless of how many players are on the roster)
  • 2 flagrant fouls, 2 technical fouls, or a combo of one flagrant/ one tech by the same person at any time during the tournament will result in immediate expulsion from THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT (regardless of how many players are on the roster).

Conduct

• Every PERSON at the tournament is expected to “Live Like Luca” in the spirit that this tournament was created. Sportsmanship, kindness and respect will be the norm. Tournament officials, referees and scorekeepers will have the authority to eject anyone from the tournament who acts contrary to the spirit of this tournament, including ADULTS!
• Disciplinary action of any sort, at any time, will be handled by the tournament director(s), and their decisions will be final.

Miscellaneous

• If a player is bleeding or has blood on his/her skin, shirt, shorts, etc. must leave the game for appropriate treatment. Tournament directors will have first aid kits at each facility.
• Jewelry is not permitted to be worn while playing on the court.