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                                           The "Hoop Shoot" Contest

The "Hoop Shoot" contest is arranged in two divisions, one for boys and one for girls, in age categories 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. Contestant age-groups are determined by their ages as of April 1. The "Hoop Shoot" contest will be conducted in five tiers to qualify for the National Finals: the School contest, the Lodge contest, the District contest, the State contest, and the Regional contest. In the 8-9 boys age division, the 28.5 basketball will be used in all levels of competition.

In the 10-11 and 12-13 age divisions, a regulation-size official basketball with 7-9 lbs. of air and channels and/or seams not exceeding 1/4 inch in width. A leather ball will be used in all state, regional and national contests.

All girls age-groups will use the girls regulation size basketball for girls with 7-9 Ibs of air with channels and/or seams not to exceed 1/4 inch in width.

Boys and girls in the 8-9 age category may shoot from a line four feet in front of the regulation foul line.

A leather ball will be used at the state, regional and national contests.

The program director in each school has the flexibility to conduct the school contest within the constraints for time and facilities. However, the contestants will shoot for the best of 25 baskets at the Lodge contest and beyond. Ties will be broken by a five-basket shoot-off.

Certificates may be awarded to all participants in the School contest. Contestants may receive certificates at each tier of the contest. Trophies are awarded to the 1st- and 2nd-place winners in each boy and girl age-group at the District contest. 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd place trophies will be awarded in all age-groups at the State, Regional and National Contests. National winners also have their names inscribed on a permanent "Hoop Shoot" plaque at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

                                          The School Contest

Each school will determine their school champions in each of the girl and boy divisions.

Only one representative in each age division can represent the school at the Lodge contest.

1. Age 8-9-year-old boys and girls may shoot from a line four feet in front of the regulation foul line.

2. All contestants should be given an opportunity to warm up and get acquainted with the floor and basket.

3. Each contestant should be given warm up shots, if desired, before shooting for score. The number of
    shots for score is left to the discretion of the school director. (It is recommended that at least five shots
    are offered.)

4. Contestants cannot bounce the ball more than four times between shots. Penalty -- shot is void.

5. A free throw begins when the ball is given to the contestant at the free throw line. It ends when the try is
    successful; or it is certain the try will not be successful; or when the ball becomes dead.

6. The contestant must stay behind the foul line until the ball has touched the hoop, backboard or net.
    Penalty -- shot is void.

7. Ties will be broken by taking additional shots in the same shooting order until the winner is determined.

It is suggested that upper classmen or other students be used to assist as ball rebounders, line judges and scorers. The Elks “Hoop Shoot” Free Throw Contest may be used as a conclusion to a lesson plan that teaches individual basketball skills, basketball rules and team play.