Tournament Rules & Guidelines

Everything teams, coaches, and fans need in one place: eligibility, match operations, discipline, and the New Rules used in knockout play.

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Published 2026-04-15 · Last updated 2026-04-29 · Author GBT Editorial Desk

Dedicated new rules

Best-of-3, Tie-Breaker, and Powerplay

These are the newly introduced competition mechanics for knockout clarity and tactical depth.

Knockout Round Summary (Day 3)

StageTimeWindowStatus
Semi-finals45 minutes3 rounds x 15 minutes1 timeout/round/team (30 sec)
3rd Place Match45 minutes3 rounds x 15 minutes1 timeout/round/team (30 sec)
Grand Finale45 minutes3 rounds x 15 minutes1 timeout/round/team (30 sec)
1) Best-of-3 Applicable Matches
  • Used only for Day 3 semi-finals, 3rd-place match, and grand finale
  • Each round is 15 minutes with 4-minute break between rounds
  • Every round starts at 0-0 with reset state
  • Team winning 2 of 3 rounds wins the match
  • If first 2 rounds are won by same team, round 3 is not required
  • If all 3 rounds end tied, tie-breaker flow is applied
2) Tie-Breaker Rules
  • Applicable in knockout stage: quarter-finals, semi-finals, 3rd-place match, grand finale
  • Tied match/final round moves to 6 minutes extra time (3 minutes per half)
  • If still tied, decider raid sequence starts after fresh toss
  • Each raider must be unique
  • Defending team fields 7 players
  • Defenders cannot be changed after defender sheet submission
  • Raiders/defenders may be selected from mat or bench
  • A player may be both raider and defender
  • Baulk and bonus lines remain unchanged during decider raids
3) Powerplay Rule
  • Powerplay adds +1 extra point on each scoring raid or tackle during active period
  • Each team can activate powerplay once per match
  • Powerplay duration: 3 minutes in 30-minute match, 5 minutes in Best-of-3 knockout matches (excluding quarter-finals)
  • Both teams can have overlapping powerplay windows
  • Toss-winning team chooses half/round for powerplay; opposition takes opposite half/round
  • Teams may choose not to use powerplay
  • During active powerplay, opposition do-or-die cadence shifts to alternate-raid trigger
  • Powerplay can be called at any time in match, including late phases
  • If half ends mid-powerplay, remaining powerplay time carries to next half
  • Team must inform match official before raid starts to activate powerplay
  • No substitutions allowed during own powerplay except injury-approved replacement
  • Powerplay points do not send additional player out
  • If powerplay was active at raid start, point remains valid even if raid ends after timer expiry
  • Powerplay timer pauses during timeout
  • Technical points and empty raids do not award powerplay bonus
Quick answers

New Rules at a glance

Fast clarifications designed for players, coaches, and answer engines.

When is Best-of-3 used?

Only in Day 3 semi-finals, 3rd-place match, and the grand finale.

How is a tied knockout resolved?

6-minute extra time, then decider raids if still tied.

Can teams skip powerplay?

Yes. Teams may choose not to use powerplay in a match.

Do timeouts pause clocks?

Yes. Match clock and powerplay timer pause during timeouts.

Core tournament rules

Rules of Play and Match Operations

Primary gameplay, match administration, disciplinary, and table rules.

Key Rules of Play
  • Toss winner chooses raid or court/half
  • Sides are changed in second half
  • Second half starts with team that defended first raid in first half
  • Last raid of each half is completed even if scheduled time has ended
  • Crossing boundary means player is out, as called by line umpire
  • Raider must cross baulk line at least once during empty raid or is declared out
  • Only one raider can enter opponent half at a time
  • Opponent raid must start within 5 seconds after previous raid ends
  • Raid duration cap applies at 30 seconds including do-or-die context
  • Coaching/instruction during live raid can attract warning card
  • Revivals occur in same order as players were put out
Match Rules
  • Minimum 2 players must be present at reporting time
  • Final team list must be submitted 90 minutes before scheduled match
  • League-stage match duration: 30 minutes
  • Knockout-stage match duration: 40 minutes (except Best-of-3 format matches)
  • If both teams fail to report, match is cancelled and both receive 0 points
  • If a team fields fewer than 10 players, match is abandoned and opposition gets 3 points
  • League ties award 1 point to each team
Timeout and Substitutions
  • Each team gets one 30-second timeout per half
  • Match clock pauses during timeout
  • Players cannot leave their half during timeout
  • 5 substitutions allowed through coin system during match
  • Medical substitution follows coin rules unless coins are exhausted
  • Half-time substitutions are allowed without coins
Card Rules
  • Green card: warning
  • Yellow card: 2-minute suspension, no technical point to opponent
  • Second yellow for same player in same match becomes red card
  • Red card: player ineligible for current and next match
  • Second red card in tournament disqualifies player/coach from remainder of tournament
Clock, Bonus, and Table
  • Match clock pauses in late-game stoppage windows as specified
  • Powerplay clock follows same stoppage principles as match clock
  • Bonus line is active when minimum 6 defenders are on court
  • No revival for bonus points
  • League points: Win 3, Loss 0, Tie 1 each, Walkover 3/0, Double no-show 0/0
  • Points-table tiebreakers: win %, score difference, powerplay points, all-outs inflicted, all-outs conceded
Event details

North Zone Event Snapshot

Core tournament profile and eligibility framework.

  • Dates: 1st May to 3rd May 2026
  • Location: Belagavi
  • Participating districts: Belagavi, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Gadag, Koppal, Raichur, Vijayapura, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Bidar
  • Age category: 25 and below (born after January 1, 2001)
  • Weight limit: maximum 85 kg
  • Team composition: 14 players, 1 coach, 1 manager
  • One professional jersey set is provided to each team
Tournament format

Three-day Competitive Structure

How the event progresses from pools to finals.

  • Day 1: 10 teams split into 2 pools of 5, single round-robin
  • Day 2: Top 4 from each pool qualify to quarter-finals
  • Day 3: Semi-finals, 3rd-place match, and grand finale
  • Semi-finals and final-day title matches use Best-of-3 rounds (15 minutes x 3)
Player and team guidelines

Operational Guidelines

Registration, reserve policy, and weigh-in governance.

  • Teams must report with 14 players and 1 coach as per reporting time
  • No external player changes outside the submitted 14-member squad
  • Unlimited internal replacements are allowed within the approved 14-member squad
  • Only players who complete registration at venue are eligible
  • Squad freeze deadline: April 15, 2026 (end of day)
  • Once 14-player list is submitted, no changes are allowed

Reserve Player Policy

  • Only registered tournament players may be used as replacements
  • Replacement players must complete registration before tournament start
  • All replacements must complete mandatory weighing before participation
  • For serious injury replacements, valid medical certificate is required and OC decision is final
  • No replacement may play without both registration and weighing

Weighing Policy

  • Primary weigh-in is mandatory for all players including reserves
  • Maximum permitted weight is 85 kg
  • Designated tournament official's weighing decision is final
  • Only one official weigh-in session is conducted
  • Each player gets maximum three attempts in the weigh-in session
  • Players above 85 kg after permitted attempts are disqualified
  • Any protest regarding weighing decisions will not be accepted
Frequently asked questions

Rules & Guidelines FAQ

High-intent Q&A blocks for players, officials, and search assistants.

General Rules FAQ

Who can play in North Zone 2026?

Players must be 25 or below and born after January 1, 2001, with weight at or below 85 kg.

What is the minimum reporting requirement for teams?

At least 2 players must report at match reporting time, and final team list must be submitted 90 minutes before the scheduled match.

How many substitutions are allowed?

Five substitutions are allowed using substitution coins, with half-time substitutions allowed without coins.

What happens if a team fields fewer than 10 players?

The match is abandoned, opposition is declared winner with 3 points, and the short-handed team gets 0 points.

How are league points awarded?

Win = 3 points, Loss = 0, Tie = 1 each, walkover to reporting team = 3 points, both teams absent = 0 points each.

New Rules FAQ

When exactly is Best-of-3 used?

Best-of-3 is used only in Day 3 semi-finals, 3rd-place match, and grand finale.

How is a tied Best-of-3 match resolved?

If tied after the required rounds, teams play 6-minute extra time. If still tied, decider raids continue alternately until a winner emerges.

How many timeouts are allowed in Best-of-3 rounds?

Each team gets one 30-second timeout per round, and match clock pauses during timeout.

Can a team choose not to take powerplay?

Yes. Teams have full authority to use or skip powerplay in any match.

Do technical points get powerplay bonus?

No. Technical points and empty raids do not receive the extra powerplay point.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend rules if required during tournament operations.

Open Tournament Format
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