VH Best of the Best CT Spartans

Vertical Hoops – 60-Minute Game Rules
Ball Size
28.5” basketball: 4th–6th Grade
29.5” basketball: 7th Grade and Older
Game officials are not responsible for ball size compliance.
It is the responsibility of both head coaches to confirm the correct ball size prior to the start of the game.

Time Rules
Two (2) 16-minute halves
Clock stops on all whistles
3-minute warm-up period
Running clock when a team leads by 20+ points
Teams must be ready to play at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled game time

Zone Defense (4th–5th Grade Only)
Not permitted in the 1st half
Permitted in the 2nd half

Pressing Rules (4th–5th Grade Only)
No pressing in the 1st half
Pressing allowed in the 2nd half
Press must be dropped when leading by 20+ points

Fouls
6 fouls = Player disqualification
8 team fouls = 1-and-1 bonus
No double bonus (2 shots), unless the foul occurs in the act of shooting

Timeouts
Each team is allowed 3 full timeouts per game

Overtime
1st Overtime: 2-minute period

Each team receives 1 additional timeout
2nd Overtime: Sudden death (first team to score wins)

Technical & Flagrant Fouls
2 technical fouls = Ejection for the remainder of the tournament (coach or player)
Flagrant fouls are administered under college rules
Fighting = Technical foul + removal from the remainder of the tournament
No exceptions. No arguments.

Vertical Hoops – Player Age Challenge Policy

Vertical Hoops is committed to fair play, integrity, and high-level competition. While we strive to ensure all teams follow eligibility rules, we recognize that it is not always possible to monitor every player and roster at all times.

To maintain fairness, Vertical Hoops has implemented a clear and efficient Player Eligibility Challenge Process for use during events.


Important Notes:

Challenges may only be submitted by rostered coaches
Challenges will not be accepted from players or parents

Official Challenge Process:
If a coach believes an opposing team is using an ineligible player, they must:

Notify the Site Director or
Text Tournament Director Mario Rivera (203-980-1982)
Please include:

Team name
Player number in question
Court number and Venue
Once submitted, Vertical Hoops staff will handle the review process.


Timing of Challenges:

Challenges must be made prior to the start of the game or at halftime
Challenges will not stop or interrupt gameplay

Ruling & Penalties:

If a player is deemed ineligible:

A technical foul will be assessed
The team will receive an game forfeit

If the challenge is unsuccessful:
A technical foul will be assessed to the challenging team

Eligibility Documentation:

Teams that are challenged must be prepared to provide valid documentation for the player(s) in question.
Acceptable documents include:

Birth Certificate
Valid Report Card
If a player is currently registered or has previously been registered in the NSID system, Vertical Hoops staff may verify eligibility directly through the system.

Document Submission Timeline:

For pre-game challenges: documentation must be provided by halftime
For halftime challenges: documentation must be provided by the end of the game
If documents are not provided within this timeframe, the player(s) will be ruled ineligible

Coach Responsibility:
Coaches are strongly encouraged to carry eligibility documents for all players at all times during events
If you choose not to carry documents, it is highly recommended that you verify your team through the NSID system in advance
NSID Verification Link:
http://app.nationalsportsid.com/league/124978/vertical-hoops-weekend-games---player---team-verification


Challenge Limits:
Teams are allowed to challenge a maximum of two (2) players per game

This policy is in place to protect the integrity of the game while ensuring a fair, efficient, and professional event experience for all participants.

🏀 Vertical Hoops Tournament – Weekend Reminders

Please check your schedules one final time on the Vertical Hoops App.

If your team only shows 2 games on the schedule, do not be concerned. Unless your team registered for Saturday-only, all teams will play on Sunday.
Sunday games will be posted after Saturday’s results are entered.


📞 Weekend Contacts (By Venue)

Karim – 203-809-4770 (CSC Woodbridge)
Sekouba – 475-467-0964 (Vale Coop – Berlin)
Josephina – 475-988-3061 (Notre Dame – West Haven)

✅ Coach Check-In

Only coaches registered by 3:00 PM today via the coach sheet and pre-printed on the official coaches list will receive a free admission pass
All other coaches must pay admission at the venue
Check in at your first game location
Coaches will receive a wristband (must be worn or kept on keys)
Limit: 2 coaches per team (no exceptions)

📱 App Reminder
The Vertical Hoops App is the most efficient way to follow schedules and receive updates throughout the weekend.


🚨 Important
PLEASE SHOW UP TO ALL OF YOUR GAMES!
We do not want any teams missing scheduled games.


🤝 Sportsmanship
We pride ourselves on providing quality, board-certified officials. They are not perfect—please ensure all coaches, players, and spectators show respect at all times.

Only 1 coach may stand on the sideline
Assistant coaches must remain seated

🎟️ Admission

Weekend Pass: $20
Seniors: $10

Let’s have a great weekend and good luck to all teams! 🏀

Vertical Hoops Tournament – Schedule Update

The schedule for this weekend’s Vertical Hoops tournament is now live.

All teams are guaranteed a minimum of three games, unless your program specifically registered for the two-game option.
If your current schedule does not show games on Sunday, please be aware that you will still play on Sunday. Sunday matchups will be determined and updated based on Saturday’s results.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information—including schedules, game updates, messages, and venue addresses—we strongly recommend downloading the Vertical Hoops app at Vertical Hoops App

Please stay tuned for Thursday’s message, which will include important event details such as rules, admissions, and additional information.

Vertical Hoops – Best of the Best

The schedule is now LIVE!

Please download the Vertical Hoops app to view game times, venues, and all event-related information. We’ve done our best to accommodate scheduling requests; however, not all requests could be fulfilled.

Stay tuned for additional updates, including the final schedule announcement tomorrow, along with more event details.


Coaches List Reminder

Vertical Hoops will no longer accept on-site coaching signups.. This policy is due to past issues with non-coaching personnel using official coach admission passes.

All coaches are required to complete the coaching form by 3:00 PM this Friday. After this deadline, the final coaches list will be sent to print.

Anyone not listed on the pre-printed coaches list
Will not receive a coach admission pass
They will be required to pay for entry

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a great event.

Vertical Hoops – Updated Coach Admission Policy

Due to an increasing number of individuals falsely identifying as coaches at event venues and using admission passes intended for verified staff, Vertical Hoops is implementing an updated Coach Admission Policy effective immediately.

Policy Details:

Coach admission passes will only be issued to coaches whose names appear on the official Vertical Hoops pre-printed event check-in list.
To be included on this list, all coaches must complete the required submission form no later than 3:00 PM on Friday prior to the event.
If you have already submitted a schedule request form, no further action is needed—your information will be accepted.
Any individual who is not listed on the official pre-printed coach check-in list will be required to pay for admission.

No exceptions. No on-site additions.
Program Directors:
Please distribute this information to all coaches within your program to ensure full compliance and avoid any issues at event entry.

Invoice & Scheduling Policy
All invoices must be paid in full in order for teams to be scheduled.
Deadline for payment: Wednesday at 10:00 AM
Teams with unpaid invoices by the deadline will not be scheduled for the event.
Schedule Request Policy

Please complete the Schedule Request Form (Team Contact Information section) for absolutely necessary requests only.

https://forms.gle/b3FKGgqRkr4cKQHw7

Vertical Event Message



Vertical Hoops

Best Of The Best Event on May 2,3,2026 (Connecticut)

We’re excited for this weekends in Connecticut.


Please review the following important information and share with team administrators and coaches:



Invoice & Scheduling Policy

All invoices must be paid in full in order for teams to be scheduled.
Deadline for payment: Wednesday at 10:00 AM
Teams with unpaid invoices by the deadline will not be scheduled for the event.
Schedule Request Policy

Please complete the Schedule Request Form (Team Contact Information section) for absolutely necessary requests only.

https://forms.gle/b3FKGgqRkr4cKQHw7




Deadline for submissions: Tuesday at 11:00 PM
Event schedules will be released on Wednesday between 2 and 5 PM
All requests must be submitted through the form — no email or text requests will be accepted.
Requests are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
Coaching Conflicts

Priority will be given to same-team coaching conflicts.
These requests apply to Saturday games only.
Sunday bracket play game times cannot be requested or guaranteed. We recommend all coaches that coach multiple team teams have assistance for Sunday’s games as we have no room for adjustment to Sunday schedules due to bracket play.

Vertical Hoops – Updated Coach Admission Policy

Due to an increasing number of individuals falsely identifying as coaches at event venues and using admission passes intended for verified staff, Vertical Hoops is implementing an updated Coach Admission Policy effective immediately.

Policy Details:

Coach admission passes will only be issued to coaches whose names appear on the official Vertical Hoops pre-printed event check-in list.
To be included on this list, all coaches must complete the required submission form no later than 3:00 PM on Friday prior to the event.
If you have already submitted a schedule request form, no further action is needed—your information will be accepted.
Any individual who is not listed on the official pre-printed coach check-in list will be required to pay for admission.
2 coach max limited per team

No exceptions. No on-site additions.
Program Directors:
Please distribute this information to all coaches within your program to ensure full compliance and avoid any issues at event entry.





Schedule & Refund Policy

Once the schedule is released on weds, no refunds will be issued.
If necessary, any adjustments will be provided as a credit toward a future event.


Roster Eligibility Policy

Vertical Hoops does not require roster verification for non–Mohegan Sun events. However, we strongly encourage all programs to complete roster verification through NSID to ensure fair and competitive play.

For teams participating in non–Mohegan Sun Vertical Hoops events:

Coaches and program directors are strongly encouraged to carry documentation for all players, including:
Birth certificates
School report cards
These documents should be readily available in the event of a team or player eligibility challenge.

The current age exemption cutoff date is June 1, in accordance with NSID guidelines.
Vertical Hoops reserves the right to review player eligibility if a formal concern is raised during the event.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain integrity and fairness across all divisions.



Game Forfeit Policy

Vertical Hoops will make every effort to manage and minimize game forfeits throughout the event. However, some forfeits may occur due to circumstances beyond our control.

In the event your team is impacted by a forfeit:

No refunds or credits will be issued.
All teams are expected to meet their scheduled game commitments. Any team that forfeits a game will be monitored, and repeated forfeits may result in:

Disqualification from future Vertical Hoops events
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a fair and competitive environment for all teams.




We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a great weekend and spring season of basketball!


For any questions, concerns or future events registration for any of our Spring VH Events, please email mario@verticalhoops.com

Vertical Event Message



Vertical Hoops

Best Of The Best Event on May 2,3,2026 (Connecticut)

We’re excited for this weekends in Connecticut.


Please review the following important information and share with team administrators and coaches:



Invoice & Scheduling Policy

All invoices must be paid in full in order for teams to be scheduled.
Deadline for payment: Wednesday at 10:00 AM
Teams with unpaid invoices by the deadline will not be scheduled for the event.
Schedule Request Policy

Please complete the Schedule Request Form (Team Contact Information section) for absolutely necessary requests only.

https://forms.gle/b3FKGgqRkr4cKQHw7




Deadline for submissions: Tuesday at 11:00 PM
Event schedules will be released on Wednesday between 2 and 5 PM
All requests must be submitted through the form — no email or text requests will be accepted.
Requests are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
Coaching Conflicts

Priority will be given to same-team coaching conflicts.
These requests apply to Saturday games only.
Sunday bracket play game times cannot be requested or guaranteed. We recommend all coaches that coach multiple team teams have assistance for Sunday’s games as we have no room for adjustment to Sunday schedules due to bracket play.

Vertical Hoops – Updated Coach Admission Policy

Due to an increasing number of individuals falsely identifying as coaches at event venues and using admission passes intended for verified staff, Vertical Hoops is implementing an updated Coach Admission Policy effective immediately.

Policy Details:

Coach admission passes will only be issued to coaches whose names appear on the official Vertical Hoops pre-printed event check-in list.
To be included on this list, all coaches must complete the required submission form no later than 3:00 PM on Friday prior to the event.
If you have already submitted a schedule request form, no further action is needed—your information will be accepted.
Any individual who is not listed on the official pre-printed coach check-in list will be required to pay for admission.

No exceptions. No on-site additions.
Program Directors:
Please distribute this information to all coaches within your program to ensure full compliance and avoid any issues at event entry.





Schedule & Refund Policy

Once the schedule is released on weds, no refunds will be issued.
If necessary, any adjustments will be provided as a credit toward a future event.


Roster Eligibility Policy

Vertical Hoops does not require roster verification for non–Mohegan Sun events. However, we strongly encourage all programs to complete roster verification through NSID to ensure fair and competitive play.

For teams participating in non–Mohegan Sun Vertical Hoops events:

Coaches and program directors are strongly encouraged to carry documentation for all players, including:
Birth certificates
School report cards
These documents should be readily available in the event of a team or player eligibility challenge.

The current age exemption cutoff date is June 1, in accordance with NSID guidelines.
Vertical Hoops reserves the right to review player eligibility if a formal concern is raised during the event.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain integrity and fairness across all divisions.



Game Forfeit Policy

Vertical Hoops will make every effort to manage and minimize game forfeits throughout the event. However, some forfeits may occur due to circumstances beyond our control.

In the event your team is impacted by a forfeit:

No refunds or credits will be issued.
All teams are expected to meet their scheduled game commitments. Any team that forfeits a game will be monitored, and repeated forfeits may result in:

Disqualification from future Vertical Hoops events
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a fair and competitive environment for all teams.




We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a great weekend and spring season of basketball!


For any questions, concerns or future events registration for any of our Spring VH Events, please email mario@verticalhoops.com