AGE GROUPS:

These are the available groups to for the 2025-edition of Aarhus Basketball Festival. We hope to see sign-ups in all groups!

If fewer than 8 teams sign up for a certain age group, we reserve the right to combine age groups. The involved teams will be informed if that’s the case. No games will be played in an age group if there are not enough teams to set up a tournament.

The games will be played according to the FIBA / Danish Basketball Federation rules with the following remarks:

Tournament form
The teams are divided into groups where each team plays the other teams (round robin). The top two teams in each group will qualify for the Championship Playoffs - the other teams will play the Consolation Playoff. In both playoffs, games will be played in accordance with the cup format. However, if necessary, other principles can be used.
When ranking teams in the groups we will use the following criteria:

• 1) Number of game points (0 or 2 in each game)
• 2) Game points (0 or 2) in games between teams having the same number of game points
• 3) Game score in these games
• 4) Game score in all games
• 5) Draw

Playing time
All games are played 4x7 min. effective time. The half-time break is two minutes.

In age group U11 and MIX U9 games are played with running time, except the last two minutes, which are played stopping clock.

Roster
The team roster must be filled out before the tournament. Names and numbers will automatically be transferred to all score sheets. It’s the teams' responsibility to check that names and numbers are in the score sheet and correct at least ten minutes before tip-off at the latest. If this is not respected or a team is not ready at the official tip-off time, the team can lose the game 0 - 20.

Players
A maximum of 12 players can be used in each game. Only players on the team roster at the beginning of the tournament can be used. Each player can only play for one team in each age group. It will not be taken into consideration that some players might play for more than one team when the tournament schedule is made.

Dispensation
No dispensations will be given for players to play in a younger age group unless the player already has a guilty dispensation to do so by the national federation. The club needs to contact the tournament office before the tournament starts if this is the case. The dispensation should be shown upon request without hesitation.

Time-out
Each team has a maximum of one time-out in each half.

24 seconds
There is no 24-second shot clock. The 24-second rule will be upheld by the referee.

Fouls
A player fouls out on his 4th foul. Team fouls after normal rules (free-throw shooting after 4th foul in each quarter).

Substitution
Substitutions can be made at any time, as well as during the game in all age groups. Substitutions must be made outside of the court. Too many players on the court at the same time will result in a warning. The second time this happens, the coach will receive a technical foul.

Full Court Press
In all age groups, a full-court press is not allowed when one team is ahead by 20 points or more. Please respect this rule.

Ball size (according to DBBF ruling)
Size 7: Boys U19, Boys U17, Boys U15
Size 6: Girls U17, Girls U15, Boys and Girls U13
Size 5: Boys and Girls U11, U9 Mix

Special rules U15

• Both A (more experienced teams) and B (less experienced teams) play 5 on 5 normal courts.
• You can not play zone, only man-to-man defence is allowed. Help defence, trapping and double team is permitted. But two players cannot guard one player without the ball.

Special rules U13

• Both A (more experienced teams) and B (less experienced teams) play 5 on 5 normal courts.
• Made shots from outside the paint counts for 3 points.
• Only man-to-man defence is allowed. Help defence, trapping and double team is permitted. But two players cannot guard one player without the ball.
• It is NOT allowed to use screens. 

Special rules U11

• Game time is 4x7 running time except the last two minutes where the time stops on a whistle or made basket. The time also stops for free throws.
• All games are played on smaller courts and lower baskets/rims
• Games are played 4 on 4.
• Only man-to-man defence is allowed. Trapping is not allowed. Help defense is allowed but two defenders cannot guard the same offensive player.
• Free throws are taken 1 meter closer than normal.
• Made shots from outside the paint counts for 3 points.
• The backcourt violation rule is not in use.
• It is NOT allowed to use screens.
• The 3 seconds rule is used but with 5 seconds allowed. 

Special rules Mix U9

• Game time is 4x7 running time except the last two minutes where the time stops on a whistle or made basket.
• All games are played on smaller courts and lower baskets/rims
• Games are played 4 on 4.
• Only man-to-man defence is allowed. Trapping is not allowed. Help defense is allowed but two defenders cannot guard the same offensive player.
• Free throws are taken 1½ meters closer than normal.
• Made shots from outside the paint counts for 3 points.
• The backcourt violation rule is not in use.
• It is NOT allowed to use screens.
• It is NOT allowed to take the ball out of the hands of an opponent.
• The 3 seconds rule is used but with 5 seconds allowed.

In case of a tie

• In the preliminary rounds, the game will be decided by "sudden death". The ball will be tipped off mid-court.
• In the playoffs, one extra period of 2 minutes will be played. The ball will be tipped off at mid-court. If the score is tied after these 2 minutes, the game will be decided by "sudden death". The ball will be tipped off at mid-court.

In extra periods and sudden death, team fouls continue to count from the 2nd half.

Uniforms
Each team must bring two sets of uniforms in different colours. It is the team noted first in the official tournament schedule that must change uniforms if the two teams are wearing jerseys in the same colour (referee decision).

Tournament jury
An official tournament jury will handle protests and disqualifications.

Protest
If a team intends to submit a protest, they shall tell the referee at the time of the incident and a written complaint must be made to the tournament office at the latest one hour after the game has ended, including the payment of a protest fee of DKK 500. This fee will be reimbursed if the protest is accepted.

The courts
The courts are mainly meant for games. Therefore you are not allowed to use the courts for practice etc. that can disturb the games. Any notifications from referees, officials and staff must be followed by everyone.

Basketballs
We do not supply basketballs for warm-up and practice, hence the teams are asked to bring their own basketballs for these purposes. 

Prizes
Medals and prizes will be handed out as follows:

• 1. Place Championship Playoffs: Team cup, medals and T-shirts
• 2. Place Championship Playoffs: Team cup and medals
• 3. Place Championship Playoffs: Team cup and medals
• Winner of the Consolation Playoff Finale: Team cup and medals

Please note that there are medals for 12 players and 2 coaches .

Prize ceremony
The ceremonies will take place in VRC Gym 1 directly after the Championship Playoff Finale in each age group if nothing else is announced. The program for the ceremonies will be posted no later than Friday evening. Coaches and managers are advised to ensure that relevant teams are present at the time of the specific ceremony.

Finals Awards
There will be different awards.

Fair Play Awards
The Festival values fair play behaviour, so each year we attribute teams that articulate particular fair treatment of other teams, staff, team mates or spectators.