FAQ for Local Competition Hosts

What is iHoops?

iHoops is the official youth basketball initiative of the NCAA and NBA. iHoops aims to establish a structure and develop programs to improve the quality of youth basketball in America in order to enhance the athletic, educational, and social experience of the participants. For more information on iHoops, please visit www.iHoops.com.

What is the iHoops Skills Challenge?

The iHoops Skills Challenge is a national basketball skills competition that provides boys and girls, ages 9 to 14, a free opportunity to showcase their basketball abilities in a time-based, half-court obstacle course. The competition focuses on basketball skill development and encourages participation in the game.

The iHoops Skills Challenge is an easily administered program in which boys and girls compete separately, and may compete in up to three (3) levels of competition, including the National Finals in Orlando, Florida.

Who can host an iHoops Skills Challenge Local Competition?

YMCA's, Boys & Girls Clubs, Parks & Recreation Agencies, PAL's, JCC's, private youth basketball leagues, schools and other civic organizations can register to host an iHoops Skills Challenge Local Competition by registering at www.iHoops.com/skillschallenge. Local Competitions MUST be held between January 9, 2010 and March 7, 2010.

How much does it cost to host?

The iHoops Skills Challenge is a FREE program available to boys and girls ages 9 to 14. This program in provided FREE of charge to not only the participants, but also to all host organizations (YMCA's, Boys & Girls Clubs, Parks & Recreation Agencies, PAL's, JCC's, private youth basketball leagues and other civic organizations).

How do I register to host an iHoops Skills Challenge Local Competition?

Organizations can register to host an iHoops Skills Challenge Local Competition by registering at www.iHoops.com/skillschallenge. Local Competitions MUST be held between January 9, 2010 and March 7, 2010.

What do I receive if I agree to host an iHoops Skills Challenge Local Competition?

Organizations that agree to host an iHoops Skills Challenge Local Competition will receive an Administrative Kit of competition materials and equipment prior to their date of competition. The Administrative Kit will include one (1) Local Administrator T-Shirt,, one (1) digital stopwatch, 14 practice cones, one (1) pack of award ribbons, one (1) administrative handbook, one pack (1) of promotional posters, a bundle of participant registration forms/score sheets and much more!

Who runs the event?

Local host organizations are responsible for securing their own staff of volunteers to assist with the execution of their Local Competition. It is recommended that a minimum of six (6) adults be available to assist with the competition.

• - Two (2) Staff members (Local Competition Administrator; Facility Manager)
• - One (1) Court Official/Timer
• - One (1) Scorer
• - One (1) Starter/Line Control
• - One (1) Passing Coach

Depending on the amount of participants attending your Local Competition, you may wish to add additional volunteers to assist with the smooth operation of your event.

How do I promote my Local competition?

We want to encourage everyone to come to the event including fans and media. Your Administrative Kit will include one (1) pack of promotional posters that you can hang throughout your facility promoting the date, time and location of your event. The promotional poster is also available at www.iHoops.com/skillschallenge. You may also choose to distribute a Pre-Event Press Release or the program's Fact Sheet to local media outlets, recreation centers, etc.

What are the age groups and what is the age cut-off date?

There are three (3) age groups (9-10, 11-12, and 13-14), with boys and girls competing separately(age is determined as of May 14, 2010). To determine the appropriate age group of each participant, refer to the chart below. Participants must be born between the dates shown to be eligible to participate in their respective age group.

Age Groups:	Born Between:
Ages 9-10	May 15, 1999 to May 14, 2001
Ages 11-12	May 15, 1997 to May 14, 1999
Ages 13-14	May 15, 1995 to May 14, 1997

How many Local participants advance to the Regional level?

Each Local Competition Administrator will award one (1) 1st Place Champion in each age and gender group. Since there are six (6) different competition groups (Boy 9-10, Boy 11-12, Boy 13-14, Girl 9-10, Girl 11-12, Girl 13-14), there will be six (6) 1st Place Champions per Local Competition (three (3) males and three (3) female Champions).

The youngsters that have the opportunity to advance to the Regional Competition are the 1st Place Local Competition Champions in each of the age and gender groups. THE 1ST PLACE LOCAL COMPETITION CHAMPIONS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCE TO THE REGIONAL COMPETITION. All Local Competition Champions will have their times compared to the other Local Competition Champions in that specific team market in order to determine the top three (3) finishers in each age and gender group competing at the Regional Competition. All Local Competition Champions will be notified by the iHoops Skills Challenge Headquarters as to their possible advancement.

Where will the National Finals be held?

The final level of competition concludes in Orlando, Florida. The top 18 Regional Competition Champions (three (3) per age and gender group) will compete at the National Finals.

How long will the competition last?

Research has shown that it will take the average participant less than 60-seconds to complete the competition. Considering this time allotment, it will take one (1) hour to run 60 kids on a half-court. If time permits, we recommend a practice for each participant.

What if there is a tie score at my Local Competition?

If a tie for 1st Place occurs at ANY level of competition, each youngster involved in the tie must repeat the competition to determine the Champion. The best time from the tiebreaker will be used to determine the Champion. The Champion's original time will be the time submitted to post against other qualified times for possible advancement to the next level of competition. At the Local level of competition, if a tiebreaker cannot be held due to participants exiting after the competition, then each youngster involved in the time will be deemed Co-Champion.