Here are the answers to several of the questions that we get each year. If there is a question you need answered that is not listed here, be sure to send it to [email protected] and we’ll get it answered.
Registration
Question: When is the registration deadline?
Answer: In order to ensure a positive experience, the NPI has a cap on the number of teams we can register. Therefore, registration will close when all spots are filled. This means that registration could close without warning.
Scheduling
Scheduling the NPI is a difficult and time-consuming effort. With over 160 teams, 22 courts, over 100 officials and a five-game guarantee in a limited amount of time, scheduling is similar to trying to solve a Rubiks Cube combined with a 3D version of Tetris. But we love doing it!
Scheduling requests can be made at the time of your team’s registration. Scheduling requests are given priority based on the order that teams register (information filled out and paid for). In other words, the earlier you register, the more likely you are to get your request fulfilled.
Here are some of the scheduling questions we get.
Question: If I coach more then one team, can I request special consideration for scheduling so my teams don’t play at the same time?
Answer: Head coaches are allowed to make requests that teams they are coaching do not play at the same time. This DOES NOT apply to assistant coaches. When you register the team, you can list other teams that the head coach is also coaching and we will do our best to keep those games from being at the same time. Keep in mind that even if games are not at the same time, teams in different divisions (ie a 12U team and a 15U team) will probably be playing in different locations. Also, once the tournament starts, there is no way to know when teams will be playing so creating a special schedule for those games will not be possible. As with all scheduling requests, they will be prioritized based on when a team completes their registration.
Question: I’m coming from out of town so a later start time on Friday would help. Can I request a later start time?
Answer: Yes, you can request a later game on Friday and let us know the best time possible. We recommend registering early since requests are prioritized based on the order of completed team registrations. Over 65% of the teams that compete are traveling from out of town. So if scheduling is critical, register early. If more than one team requests the same start time, the team that registered first will get it. No games will start before 4:00 PM on Friday.
Question: Is it possible to schedule my team’s first game on Saturday morning?
Answer: Yes, but there are two things to consider. First, if you don’t have any games on Friday you will most likely not get your full amount of guaranteed games. Second, requests are filled based on the order of registration. So if we run out of Saturday morning game slots, teams that registered late will still have scheduled games on Friday.
Question: My team does not want to play on Sunday. Can I request that my teams not have any Sunday games?
Answer: Yes, but there are a few things to consider. If you are not playing a scheduled game on Sunday then you may not get your full amount of guaranteed games. If you know that you are not going to play on Sunday, please indicate this when you register your team. Remember, you are playing against another team that may want to play on Sunday and if you don’t show up, you are costing them a game. If you let us know, we can help schedule around that so everyone will be happy.
Question: How do you do your scheduling?
Answer: We currently use webware that helps keep everything organized and allows us to publish our results online in nearly real time.
Rosters, Ages/Grade Limits, Divisions
Question: How is the eligibility of players determined?
Answer: The division you are in sets the guideline. For example, a 15U division means that players must either be 15 years old or younger on the last day of the tournament or they must currently be in 9th grade or lower.
For the 17U division, any player that is currently in high school is eligible.
Question: How many players can be on my roster?
Answer: There is no limit on the number of players on a single team’s roster. However, players may only play on one team at the NPI.
Question: Can a player play on more than one team?
Answer: No, players may only compete on one team at the NPI regardless of division. If a player is found to be playing on more then one team, those games will be considered a forfeit. The official roster for a player would be whichever team he played his first game with.
Question: Are girls allowed to play in the NPI?
Answer: No, this is a boys only event. Our insurance only covers rosters for boys.
Question: What is the tournament format?
Answer: TBD
Question: Do the younger divisions use the same size ball and basket height?
Answer: All divisions will play on standard 10-foot baskets. The 12U divisions will use a 28.5 size ball.
Question: Are there prizes for the winners?
Answer: TBD
Looking for an answer not listed here?
Send your question to [email protected] and we’ll get it answered!