5-on-5 Tournament Format & Rules 

LEAGUE FORMAT

Season Length: 6 weeks

Game Nights: Wednesday evenings

Games: Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 6 regular season games, with 1–2 games per week (some weeks will include doubleheaders)

Game Length: 40-minute running clock with stop clock in the final 1 minute of each half

Playoffs: The top 4 teams in each division will advance to the playoffs at the end of the regular season

Divisions:

  • Youth 10–12

  • Youth 13–15

  • Youth 16–18

  • Adult 18+

GAME FORMAT

  • 5-on-5 full court

  • Two 20-minute halves — running clock, stop clock in the final 1 minute of each half

  • Halftime: 3 minutes

  • Rules governed by the standard MHSAA Basketball Rule Book

  • Full court press is permitted at any time except when a team leads by 10 or more points — pressing while ahead by 10+ will result in a warning and may result in a technical foul

ROSTERS

  • Minimum: 5 players

  • Maximum: 8 players

  • All players must be listed on the official team roster prior to the first game

  • Roster changes are permitted before a team's second game only — rosters are locked after that for the remainder of the season

  • Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 6 games including playoffs

Fouls 

Each player is allowed 5 personal fouls per game before fouling out.

Team Foul Bonus:

  • 7 team fouls in a half — One-and-one: make the first free throw to attempt the second

  • 10 team fouls in a half — Double bonus: two free throws awarded automatically

Technical Fouls:
Excessive or flagrant contact may result in a technical foul. A technical foul awards the opposing team two free throws and does not count toward a player's personal fouls. Multiple technical fouls may result in player ejection or team forfeit at the referee's discretion.

OVERTIME

If the game is tied at the end of regulation, a 2-minute overtime period will be played. The first team to score 5 points wins. If neither team reaches 5 points, the team with the highest score at the end of the overtime period wins. If still tied, a second overtime period will be played using the same format.

TIMEOUTS

Each team receives two (2) 30-second timeouts per half. Timeouts do not carry over to the second half or overtime. The game clock stops during all timeouts.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Summer Night Hoops is a community league built on respect — for the game, for each other, and for the refs. All players, coaches, and spectators are expected to:

  • Respect all referees — their decisions are final

  • Treat opposing players and teams with respect

  • Follow all league rules at all times

Unsportsmanlike behavior — including arguing with officials, taunting, or excessive contact — may result in a technical foul, player ejection, or team disqualification at the referee's discretion. We want this to be a fun, positive experience for everyone. Let's keep it that way.