NASHVILLE, Tenn.––Teams from annual conferences, districts and local churches may now enter teams for the basketball tournament scheduled for the July 12-14 National Gathering of United Methodist Men.

Previously only local churches were allowed to enter teams, but the tournament is now open to all men registered for the National Gathering. If any member of the team is not registered the team must pay a $50 entry fee.

Teams may enter the under 40 age group or the over 40 age group divisions (40 year-olds may play in either division). There is a limit of 16 teams in each age division. Only the first 16 registered will be entered in the tournament. Teams must have both light and dark shirts with numbers on both front and back.

Games begin in the Belmont University gym at 1 p.m. on July 12.

Brackets and times will be posted at the gym and at http://ummgathering.org. Games will be played July 12, 1-7 p.m., and July 13, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Send the names of captains and the names of teams to Rich Peck, tournament director (rpeck@gcumm.org).

Captains meet in the gym at noon on July 12 to go over rules.

3 ON 3 BASKETBALL RULES

1. This tournament will be conducted in accordance with NCAA rules, with the following amendments.
2. A team roster shall be limited to 10 players.
3. Games will be played on half court by two teams of three players each, including a maximum of seven substitutes. Teams must have a minimum of three players on the floor to start a game. Teams may continue/finish with a minimum of two players on the floor.
4. Playing time shall be two (2) halves of twelve (12) minutes of a continuously running clock with an intermission of five (5) minutes. In the last two minutes of each half, the clock will not be a running clock, but will stop in accordance with normal basketball rules.
5. A tie score at end of regulation time will result in a one (1) minute stop clock overtime period with ball possession determined by coin flip. If still tied, subsequent one (1) minute periods are to ensue until tie is broken.
6. One 30 second time out is permitted per team per half.
7. Substitutions may be made after a basket, a foul shot or any stoppage of play or any other time an official beckons the player onto the court.
8. The winner of the coin toss shall take first ball possession. Possession at the start of the second half will be determined by the possession arrow. Ball possession changes hands after each basket unless a technical or personal foul is awarded.
9. Deliberate stalling or attempts to freeze the ball shall result in loss of ball possession. A warning shall be given by the official prior to assessing the penalty. During the last two minutes of the game and during any overtime period, teams shall attempt a shot within approximately twenty (20) seconds of gaining possession as determined by the referee.
10. The game shall be played using the three point line as the “check line”. The ball shall be returned to a point behind the check line after each possession,
11. Defenders may not cross the check line to guard the player throwing in the ball until after the player has made the first pass.
12. Players will foul out after five (5) personal fouls. Technical fouls will be assessed in accordance with NCAA rules.
13. All personal and technical fouls shall be counted against a team total. After the seventh team foul, a bonus shall be awarded for the remainder of the game.
14. During the last two (2) minutes of each half, and any overtime period, automatic possession after foul shots does not apply (live rebounding will be in effect).
15. Three point shots are allowed.
16. Officials do not put the ball in play, except at the start of each half.