Tournament Rules & Code of Conduct

1. Event Overview

The Red, White & Ball ("RWB") is a one-day 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament held on the downtown Muscatine riverfront on July 4, 2026, operated by Next Level Basketball with platform and registration services provided by Pearl City Media, LLC. All net proceeds support youth basketball programming and participation scholarships through Next Level Basketball.

These Tournament Rules & Code of Conduct govern play and on-site behavior at the event. By registering a team or a player, registrants and parents/guardians agree to comply with these rules, and to require players, coaches, and accompanying spectators to do the same. These rules are incorporated by reference into the signed Participation Agreement that each player's parent or legal guardian signs at registration.

In any matter not specifically covered below, the Tournament Director has discretion to apply customary FIBA 3x3 rules or rule on a case-by-case basis. Tournament Director decisions are final.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Age & Grade

Players register based on the grade they just completed in spring 2026 — not the grade they are entering in fall.

2.2 Play-Up & Play-Down

Players may "play up" into an older division on a team made up of players in that older division. Players may not "play down" into a younger division under any circumstances.

2.3 One Team, One Division

A player may roster on only one team within a division. A player may participate in a younger sibling's division only by playing up on that sibling's team (see 2.2 above) and only if eligible.

2.4 Required Documentation

To be eligible to play, each player must have, on file prior to tip-off:

1. A completed team registration (paid in full);
2. A signed Participation Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Photo/Video/Media Release from the player's parent or court-appointed legal guardian;
3. Player check-in completed at the on-site registration tent on event day.

A player without all three of the above will not be permitted to step on the court, regardless of whether the rest of the team is ready to play.

3. Divisions

Division	Eligible Players
3rd–4th Grade — Boys	Boys who completed 3rd or 4th grade in spring 2026
3rd–4th Grade — Girls	Girls who completed 3rd or 4th grade in spring 2026
5th–6th Grade — Boys	Boys who completed 5th or 6th grade in spring 2026
5th–6th Grade — Girls	Girls who completed 5th or 6th grade in spring 2026
7th–8th Grade — Boys	Boys who completed 7th or 8th grade in spring 2026
7th–8th Grade — Girls	Girls who completed 7th or 8th grade in spring 2026

Divisions may be combined or restructured by the Tournament Director at any time prior to tip-off if registration numbers in a division do not support a viable bracket. Registrants will be notified of any such change as early as practical, and a refund will be offered to any team that does not wish to participate in the revised division.

4. Roster Rules

4.1 Roster Size

3 to 5 players per team. 3 players on the court at all times during play. 0 to 2 substitutes.

4.2 Ball Size

Division	Ball
All Divisions	28.5" (intermediate)

The tournament uses 28.5" intermediate balls for all divisions. The tournament provides game balls. Teams may warm up with their own ball.

4.3 Roster Lock

Final rosters lock at 11:59 PM Central, Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (3 days before the event). After roster lock:

• No new players may be added except as permitted in Section 4.4 below.
• Listed players remain on the roster regardless of subsequent absence.

4.4 Injury / Hardship Substitution After Roster Lock

If a rostered player is unable to participate after roster lock due to injury, illness, or other unavoidable hardship, the registrant may request a replacement by emailing info@redwhiteandball.com. Replacements after roster lock are at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and require:

1. Written approval from the Tournament Director;
2. A new signed Participation Agreement from the replacement player's parent or legal guardian, completed and on file before the replacement player tips off.

No replacement will be approved if it would result in a competitive imbalance — for example, replacing a player with one substantially older, taller, or more skilled than the original roster permitted.

4.5 Roster Verification

The Tournament Director may verify a player's grade or identity at any time. Players, registrants, and parents should be prepared to produce a current report card, birth certificate, or school ID on request. Misrepresentation of a player's grade or identity is grounds for immediate forfeiture of all games played by that team and ejection from the tournament without refund.

5. Game Format & Scoring

5.1 Length of Game

Each game ends at the earlier of:

• 15 minutes of running clock from tip-off, OR
• The first team to reach 21 points.

Win-by-one is permitted in regulation. A team trailing at the 15-minute mark may not extend the game.

5.2 Running Clock

The game clock runs continuously throughout play. The clock stops only for:

• Timeouts (see 5.5);
• Injuries;
• Referee's discretion (equipment failure, lost ball, weather hold, crowd interference).

5.3 Scoring

• 1 point for any field goal made inside the 2-point arc.
• 2 points for any field goal made with both feet behind the 2-point arc at the moment of release.
• 1 point per made free throw.

5.4 Possession to Start

A coin flip determines first possession. The team winning the coin flip may elect to receive the ball to start the game OR to start a potential overtime; the other choice goes to the losing team.

5.5 Timeouts

Each team is allowed:

• One 30-second timeout per game;
• One 60-second timeout per game.

Timeouts may be requested only during a dead ball. Unused timeouts do not carry over to overtime. No timeouts are permitted during overtime.

5.6 Overtime

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the game proceeds to overtime free throw rounds:

• Coin toss: The winner of the pre-game coin toss shoots first in overtime (giving the loser of the toss the final shot).
• 1st Overtime: Each team selects 3 players. Teams alternate shooting one free throw each (6 total shots). The team with more makes wins.
• 2nd Overtime: If tied after the 1st round, each team selects 2 players. Same alternating structure.
• 3rd Overtime and beyond: Each team selects 1 player. Teams alternate — one shot each. If both make it, the same two players shoot again. Continue until one makes and the other misses.

No timeouts are permitted during overtime.

6. Game Rules

These rules adapt FIBA 3x3 international rules to a youth, grassroots context.

6.1 Court

Half-court, one basket. The 2-point arc is the 3-point line on a standard high school court (or the arc designated by the Tournament Director).

6.2 Check-Ball

After every made basket and after every dead ball, the defensive team passes ("checks") the ball to the offensive team at the top of the 2-point arc before play resumes. The pass must be acknowledged by the offensive player receiving it.

6.3 Take-Back / Clear

Following every change of possession (steal, defensive rebound, blocked shot recovered, turnover), the ball must be "cleared" by the new offensive team — both feet must be beyond the 2-point arc, OR the player must dribble the ball entirely beyond the arc — before any shot attempt. A shot taken without clearing does not count, and possession is awarded to the defense.

6.4 Out of Bounds & Restart

Any ball out of bounds, or any restart following a held ball, is restarted by check-ball at the top of the 2-point arc.

6.5 Jump Balls / Held Balls

There are no jump balls. All held balls go to the defensive team.

6.6 Substitutions

Substitutions may be made only during a dead ball. The substitute must notify the referee before entering, and the player being replaced must leave the court before play resumes. Substitutes wait in the team's designated bench area.

6.7 Stalling

If the offensive team is not making a reasonable effort to attack the basket, the referee may issue a single warning. A second warning to the same offensive possession results in loss of possession to the defense.

7. Fouls & Free Throws

7.1 Personal Fouls

A personal foul that occurs outside the act of shooting results in a check-ball at the top of the arc to the team that was fouled, with no free throws (until the team-foul threshold described in 7.3 is reached).

7.2 Shooting Fouls

A foul on a player in the act of shooting:

• Foul on a 1-point shot that misses: 1 free throw to the shooter;
• Foul on a 1-point shot that is made (and-1): the basket counts, plus 1 free throw;
• Foul on a 2-point shot that misses: 2 free throws to the shooter;
• Foul on a 2-point shot that is made (and-1): the basket counts, plus 1 free throw.

After all free throws, the ball is dead and play restarts according to standard rules (made last free throw = check-ball to defense; missed last free throw = live rebound).

7.3 Team Fouls

The 7th, 8th, and 9th team fouls in a game by the defensive team result in 2 free throws to the offended team, with the ball going to the defense after the last free throw.

The 10th team foul and every subsequent team foul result in 2 free throws PLUS possession to the offended team.

7.4 Technical Fouls

A technical foul (unsportsmanlike conduct, abuse of officials, profanity, taunting, delay of game) results in:

• 1 free throw to the offended team, AND
• Possession to the offended team after the free throw.

Two technical fouls on the same player in a single game result in ejection from that game.

Two technical fouls on the same player across the tournament result in ejection from the tournament without refund.

7.5 Unsportsmanlike Fouls

An unsportsmanlike foul (a foul where the contact is excessive, flagrant, or clearly outside the spirit of legitimate basketball play) results in:

• 2 free throws to the offended team, AND
• Possession to the offended team after the free throws.

Two unsportsmanlike fouls on the same player in a single game result in ejection from that game and may result in tournament-level discipline at the Tournament Director's discretion.

7.6 Fighting

Any player, coach, or spectator who engages in a physical altercation is immediately ejected from the tournament without refund. The Tournament Director has discretion to extend the ejection to the player's entire team if circumstances warrant.

7.7 Disqualification — Five Personal Fouls

A player who accumulates 5 personal fouls in a single game is disqualified from that game. The team may continue with the remaining players on the roster.

7.8 Playing Short

A team that is reduced to fewer than 3 eligible players for any reason during a game (injury, ejection, foul-out, no-show) forfeits the remainder of that game. The opposing team is credited with a win. The forfeit score for bracket / tiebreaker purposes is the score at the time of forfeit, or 15–0 if the forfeit occurs before tip-off.

8. Officiating

8.1 Referee Assignments

One referee is assigned to each court. The Tournament Director provides overall supervision and rules on any matter outside the scope of the on-court referee.

8.2 Referee Authority

The referee on the court has sole authority over:

• All foul calls;
• All scoring decisions;
• All out-of-bounds and possession calls;
• All clock decisions during the game;
• Warnings, technical fouls, and ejections.

8.3 Disputes

No formal protest process exists. A coach may respectfully ask the referee for a rule clarification during a dead ball. Any escalation beyond that must be brought to the Tournament Director at the registration tent between games — not during a game in progress. The Tournament Director's resolution is final.

8.4 Scorekeeping

Each court will have a designated scorekeeper. The official score is the score on the scorekeeper's sheet at the moment the final whistle blows. Scorekeeping errors must be raised before the final whistle; once recorded as final, the score does not change.

9. Tournament Structure

9.1 Format

Each team is guaranteed at least 3 pool-play games. After pool play, teams advance to a single-elimination bracket. Bracket size and seeding depend on the number of teams in each division and will be published at the conclusion of pool play.

9.2 Pool-Play Seeding

Teams are seeded into pool play by random draw within division.

9.3 Pool-Play Tiebreakers

For pool-play standings, ties between two or more teams are broken in the following order:

1. Head-to-head record between the tied teams;
2. Point differential in pool play, capped at ±15 points per game (i.e., a 30-point blowout still counts as +15);
3. Total points allowed in pool play (fewer is better);
4. Total points scored in pool play (more is better);
5. Coin flip.

9.4 Sportsmanship Reset

If a team reaches a 15-point lead at any time during pool play, the score is recorded but the "running up the score" provision applies — see 9.5.

9.5 Mercy & Lead Management

The Tournament Director encourages coaches and players to manage large leads with good sportsmanship (rotate younger or less-experienced players in, run more passes before shooting, etc.). At a 20-point lead, the referee may, at discretion, instruct the trailing team to clear past the arc only when in possession, with the leading team relieved of the clear requirement, to keep the game moving toward conclusion. Final-score reporting for tiebreaker purposes uses the actual score at the 15:00 mark or at the first-to-21 trigger, whichever comes first.

10. Schedule & Forfeits

10.1 Schedule Publication

The full game schedule is published on the tournament website at https://redwhiteandball.com no later than 24 hours before the event. Schedule updates throughout the event are posted at the registration tent and pushed to opted-in registrants by SMS and email.

10.2 Game-Time = Forfeit Time

A team that does not have at least 3 eligible, checked-in players at the scoring table within 5 minutes of the scheduled tip-off forfeits the game. The opposing team is credited with a 21–0 win. No partial-team play is permitted.

10.3 No-Show Forfeit

A team that does not appear at the tournament site at all forfeits all scheduled games. No-show teams are not entitled to a refund.

10.4 Voluntary Withdrawal During the Event

A team that voluntarily withdraws from the tournament after pool play has begun forfeits all remaining games and is not entitled to a refund of the registration fee.

11. Weather, Heat & Safety

11.1 Tournament Director Authority

The Tournament Director has sole authority to delay, suspend, shorten, relocate, or cancel any game or the entire tournament for any reason related to participant or spectator safety, including weather, heat, public-safety conditions, or facility issues. Tournament Director decisions on safety matters are not subject to appeal.

11.2 Lightning Protocol

If lightning is detected within 8 miles of the event site (as measured by a recognized lightning-detection app or service), all play is immediately suspended and all participants and spectators must clear the courts and seek shelter. Play does not resume until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike within 8 miles. Each new strike within the 8-mile radius resets the 30-minute clock.

11.3 Heat Protocol

Heat Index	Action
Below 90°F	Normal play. Hydration encouraged at every dead ball.
90–95°F	Mandatory water break at the 4:00 mark of every game. Coaches monitor players for heat distress.
95–105°F	Mandatory water break at the 4:00 mark and the 10:00 mark of every game. Tournament Director may shorten games or extend rest between games.
Above 105°F	Play is suspended until heat index drops below 105°F. Tournament Director may shorten or cancel remaining games.

11.4 Suspended Game Completion

If a game is suspended after 6:00 of game time has elapsed AND with at least a 4-point margin between the teams, the score at the time of suspension stands as the final score. Otherwise, the game resumes when conditions permit; if conditions do not permit completion the same day, the Tournament Director may declare the game a tie or otherwise rule on the result for bracket purposes.

11.5 Cancellation Refunds

If the tournament is canceled in its entirety due to weather or other circumstances beyond the Organizer's control, refunds are governed by the Refund & Cancellation Policy. Partial play does not entitle a team to a refund.

11.6 First Aid & Medical Emergencies

A first-aid station is staffed at the registration tent throughout the event. In a medical emergency, the Tournament Director will summon emergency medical services. Medical authorization for minor players is governed by the Participation Agreement signed by each player's parent or legal guardian.

12. Code of Conduct

The Red, White & Ball is a youth event. The expectation of every participant, coach, parent, and spectator is sportsmanship, safety, and respect — toward players, referees, volunteers, and the community.

12.1 Player Conduct

Players are expected to:

• Compete hard and fairly;
• Treat opponents with respect — no taunting, trash talk, or intimidation;
• Accept referee decisions without argument;
• Acknowledge made baskets and good plays by opponents;
• Shake hands with the opposing team at the end of every game.

Players will not:

• Use profanity, slurs, or threatening language;
• Physically retaliate against an opponent, referee, or spectator;
• Damage property, equipment, or the playing surface;
• Bring or use alcohol, drugs, weapons, or tobacco/vape products on site.

12.2 Coach Conduct

Coaches are expected to:

• Model the conduct expected of players;
• Coach from the designated bench area only;
• Engage the referee respectfully and only during dead-ball situations;
• Manage their team's parents and spectators in the spirit of the event.

Coaches will not:

• Use profanity, slurs, or threatening language;
• Confront a referee aggressively, follow a referee off the court, or address a referee from the spectator area;
• Direct other coaches, players, or spectators to engage in any conduct prohibited by these rules.

12.3 Parent & Spectator Conduct

Parents and spectators are expected to:

• Cheer for their team positively;
• Allow players to play, coaches to coach, and referees to referee;
• Remain in spectator areas away from the team bench and scoring table unless invited;
• Comply with directions from Tournament Director, volunteers, and event staff.

Parents and spectators will not:

• Criticize or abuse referees, including via shouted commentary on calls;
• Approach players from the opposing team, the opposing bench, or any referee;
• Use profanity, slurs, or threatening language;
• Bring or consume alcohol, drugs, or weapons at the event;
• Engage in any conduct that disrupts play or threatens the safety of any participant.

12.4 Site Conduct

All participants and spectators will respect the City of Muscatine riverfront facility and surrounding public spaces:

• Trash goes in receptacles; recyclables go in recycling receptacles;
• No marking, painting, or affixing materials to City property;
• Use designated parking; do not block emergency lanes or accessibility access;
• Follow all posted City rules and any applicable Muscatine ordinance.

13. Ejection & Tournament Discipline

13.1 Game Ejection

The Tournament Director or the on-court referee may eject a player, coach, parent, or spectator from a game for any violation of these rules. An ejected individual must leave the immediate court area, but may remain on tournament grounds in a non-disruptive capacity at the Tournament Director's discretion.

13.2 Tournament Ejection

The Tournament Director may eject a player, coach, parent, or spectator from the tournament entirely for:

• A second game ejection in the same tournament;
• Any physical altercation;
• Any threat against another person, including a referee or volunteer;
• Any conduct the Tournament Director determines to be severe enough to warrant tournament-level removal.

An individual ejected from the tournament must leave the tournament site. The Tournament Director may, at discretion, contact local law enforcement.

13.3 No Refund on Ejection

No refund of registration fees is owed in connection with any ejection — game-level or tournament-level. A team whose player is ejected may continue to play with remaining eligible roster members, subject to Section 7.8 (Playing Short).

13.4 Team Discipline

If a team's overall conduct (across players, coaches, and accompanying spectators) presents a continuing problem, the Tournament Director may eject the entire team from the tournament without refund.

13.5 Future Events

Conduct at this event may be considered when evaluating eligibility for future editions of the Red, White & Ball tournament and other Next Level Basketball programs.

14. Sponsor Recognition & Media

14.1 On-Site Sponsor Recognition

Sponsor signage, banners, and PA announcements are part of the tournament environment. Sponsors materially make the tournament possible.

14.2 Photography, Video, Live Stream

The tournament is photographed, video-recorded, and live-streamed. Use of player images is governed by the Photo/Video/Media Release signed by each player's parent or legal guardian as part of the registration envelope.

14.3 Spectator Recording

Spectators are welcome to take photographs and videos of their own family members and team for personal, non-commercial use. Spectators must not interfere with official tournament media coverage, livestream operations, or game officiating, and must not publish photographs or videos of children other than their own to social media in a manner that identifies those children.

14.4 Press

Credentialed press should check in at the registration tent on arrival.

15. Awards

Awards are presented to the top-finishing teams in each division. Specific awards (trophies, medals, t-shirts) and recognition format will be announced no later than June 15, 2026.

16. Refunds

Registration refunds are governed by the Refund & Cancellation Policy. In general:

• Voluntary withdrawal before a published deadline is eligible for a partial refund (less processing fees);
• Voluntary withdrawal after that deadline is not eligible for a refund;
• Weather cancellation refund eligibility is determined by the Refund & Cancellation Policy;
• Ejections and forfeits are not eligible for any refund.

17. Acknowledgment & Agreement

By registering a team or a player, the registrant agrees that:

• The registrant has read, or will read before the event, this Tournament Rules & Code of Conduct;
• The registrant will share these rules with every player on the team and every parent who will accompany the player to the event;
• The registrant accepts the Tournament Director's authority to interpret and enforce these rules.

These rules are incorporated by reference into the Participation Agreement, Assumption of Risk, and Photo/Video/Media Release signed by each player's parent or legal guardian as part of the registration envelope.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Severability

If any provision of these rules is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary or severed from these rules, with the remaining provisions continuing in effect.

18.2 Changes

These rules may be updated by the Tournament Director up to the start of the event. Material changes will be communicated by email and SMS to opted-in registrants and parents.

18.3 Governing Law

These rules are governed by Iowa law. Any dispute arising under or relating to these rules shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Muscatine County, Iowa.

18.4 Contact