communityFaith in action

FREETHROWCHAMPIONSHIP

Knights of Columbus

PLAYBOOK

2

Brandingalways use the program’s official name: Knights ofColumbus Free Throw Championship.

order Kitgrand Knight or Financial secretaries can order theKnights of Columbus Free Throw Championship Kitthrough supplies online, which can be accessed in theofficers portal.

set a time and PlaceFree Throw Championships should never be held on aschool day unless all participants are able to attend.Contact parks, schools, community centers or youthcenters and reserve a basketball court. ask local sportsteams, colleges or universities to work with your councilon the Free Throw Championship as part of theircommunity outreach program. while January is the

month for conducting a council competition, councilscan be flexible and work around the schedules of suchteams. all local competitions should be scheduled so thatthe winners can participate in the district competitions.

insuranceif an insurance certificate is requested, a one-day policy for $1 million of coverage can be purchased from lockton affinity at 800-496-0288 orcouncilinsurance@locktonaffinity.com

solicit local suPPortContact the schools in your area to explain the program.seek permission of the principals/athletic directors/superintendents to conduct the program as part of theirphysical education or intramural program, or ask for anendorsement encouraging students to participate in thiscommunity sports program. high school athletes should

ConduCting a CounCil Championship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4distriCt, regional, JurisdiCtional &

international Championship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5rules and regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7publiCity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9awards / program supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Kit Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

contents

Conducting a Cou

Put your faith into action and provide an athletic outlet for youth in your community! Encourage values of sportsmanship and

healthy competition with this meaningful and fun event.

Play-By-Play For council Free throwchamPionshiP chairman

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be reminded to check with their jurisdiction high schoolathletic association about possible eligibility conflicts.Contact officials from the town recreation departmentor local youth basketball leagues to promote thecompetition among their players. teams and schools canhold preliminary competitions to determine winners byage groups to advance to the council competition. makesure that entry forms/score sheets are distributed inadvance to the officials of the leagues or coaches of the teams.

Promote the eventdisplay program posters prominently to generateattention and participation. ask to display posters inschools, youth centers, church halls, libraries, and otherprominent locations in the community. on the poster,indicate the name of the contact person, the date, timeand location of the competition, and a telephone numberto call for additional information on the competition.supplement these posters with newspaper ads, radio andtV spots and other publicity. additional posters areavailable are available through supplies online, whichcan be accessed in the officers portal.

Preregistrationpreregistration will boost the number of participants andsave time at the actual event by making the competitionrun quicker and smoother. distribute entry forms/scoresheets to aforementioned locations. personally deliverentry forms/score sheets to physical education teachersand coaches when possible. try to collect completedforms and proof-of-age documents before thecompetition to get a general estimate on the number ofparticipants. plan the competition based on thesenumbers. have an announcement made in school or sendout a reminder of the competition immediately beforethe event. be ready to accept entry forms/score sheetsfrom walk-in participants on the day of the competition.

Build Buzzuse the sample press release to announce yourchampionship in local newspapers and through radioannouncements. always use the program’s official name:Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.

comPetition dayConduct the competition by the rules covered in thisbooklet. plan to open the doors an hour before the actualevent to allow for the registration of walk-in participants.

if space allows, let early visitors take warm-up shots ifthey wish to do so. organize entry forms/score sheets byage and gender. make a final check of equipment and seethat the regulation-size basketballs are available andtemporary foul lines are clearly marked with non-residuetape. Verify that judges and scorers have been properlyadvised of their duties and responsibilities. use the entryform/score sheet to record each participant’s score. Thisform, and proof of age, must accompany each championas he or she progresses through the higher levels ofcompetition. all council-level participants shouldshoot their free throws during the scheduled hours ofthe competition and under the same conditions as allother competitors. no participants should be allowedto attempt their free throws at a special time, and willbe disqualified if allowed to do so.

recognitionpresent Free Throw Participation Certificates (#1597) toall participants, and Free Throw Champion Certificates(#1809) to the winners at the end of the competition.

recruitmentThis could be a good membership recruitmentopportunity. some of the fathers attending your eventare likely to be practical Catholics who are eligible to joina council. have one of two Knights from yourmembership Committee set up a table for recruiting.stock it with membership pamphlets and Form 100’s tohand out. to grab attention, use a poster or set up somerefreshments. make sure you get the phone number ofpotential recruits to perform adequate follow up.

ncil Championship

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announce winnerspersonalize the sample press release on page 8 byannouncing the council winners and send copies to localand diocesan newspapers and radio stations.

Build toward your Community program requirementfor the Columbian and Star Council Awards!

Program creditimmediately following your council’s championship, thegrand knight must complete and submit the FraternalPrograms Report Form (#10784) included in the FreeThrow Kit. This feedback provides valuable statistics forparticipation and an overall assessment of the program.include the number of participants (non-volunteers) insection 2.

advanced comPetitionprovide the entry forms/score sheets and the proofs ofage for the council winners to the district deputy for thedistrict competition. make sure your council number isfilled in. inform council competition winners of the date,time and location of the district competition and anyother levels of competition to which they advance. besure that a council official accompanies council winnersto all upcoming competitions as they advance. in theevent that a winner in any level cannot participate in thenext level of competition, the second-place winnershould represent the area.

district comPetitionThe district-level competition is only required if morethan one council within the district participates in theKnights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.

recognitiondistrict deputies should order their 12 olympic stylemedallions for presentation to the district winners,medallions can be ordered through supplies online,which can be accessed in the officers portal.

set a time and Placesecure a court, select a date for the February districtchampionship and pass on the information to each of thecouncils in your district. inform councils of the date andlocation well in advance.

comPetition dayConduct the district championship according to therules covered in this booklet. organize entry forms/scoresheets by age and gender. use the entry form/score sheet

to record each participant’s score. This form, and proof ofage, must accompany each champion as he or sheprogresses through the higher levels of competition.make a final check of equipment and see that theregulation-size basketballs are available and temporaryfoul lines are clearly marked with non-residue tape.instruct the judges and scorers of their duties andresponsibilities. All district-level participants shouldshoot their free throws during the scheduled hours ofthe competition and under the same conditions as allother competitors. No participants should be allowedto attempt their free throws at a special time, other thanthe scheduled and publicized hours of competition.Under no circumstances should a Free ThrowChampionship be held on a school day unless allparticipants are able to attend. use the original entryform/score sheet for each participant to record districtcompetition scores.

recognitionpresent the district medallions to the champions at theend of the event.

district/regional/Jurisdictional/ international chamPions section

Conducting a

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announce winnerssend a press release to local media sources announcingthe district winners.

advanced comPetitionreport the results of your district competition to theregional/jurisdictional Free Throw Championshipchairman and give him the entry forms/score sheets ofyour champions. inform your champions of the date andlocation of the regional/jurisdictional championship.

Play-By-Play For regional/Jurisdictional/internationalFree throw chamPionshiP chairman

regional/Jurisdictional/international comPetition

order awardsorder regional/jurisdictional awards throughKnightsgear.com, or contact a local supplier for anappropriate award. Jurisdiction councils are responsiblefor ordering and presenting awards to the regional andjurisdictional winners.

set a time and Placesecure a court, select a date and inform the districtdeputies and councils of the date, time and location ofthe regional/jurisdictional competition. post thisinformation on your jurisdiction website and newsletter.

comPetition dayConduct the competition according to the rules outlinedin this booklet. organize entry forms/score sheets by ageand gender. This form, and proof of age, must accompanyeach champion as he or she progresses through the higherlevels of competition. use the original entry form/scoresheet for each participant to record regional/jurisdictionalcompetition scores. make a final check of equipment andsee that the regulation-size basketballs are available andtemporary foul lines are clearly marked. instruct the judgesand scorers of their duties and responsibilities. allregional/jurisdictional participants should shoot their freethrows during the scheduled hours of the competition andunder the same conditions as all other competitors. no

participants should be allowed to attempt their free throwsat a special time, other than the scheduled and publicizedhours of competition.

recognitionpresent the regional/jurisdictional awards. Cash or bondsmust not be awarded at any level of competition since thatmay compromise the amateur status of the contestant.

announce winnersprepare a press release announcing the winners and send itto local media sources. use the sample council press releaseas a guide. The Jurisdiction Free Throw Championshipchairman shall provide the name, address and sponsoringcouncil and jurisdiction-level scoring information to thesupreme Council office in april on forms provided by thedepartment of Fraternal mission. This scoringinformation will be used to determine the internationalwinners.

international levelinternational champions are determined on the basis ofthe best scores from the jurisdiction competitionssubmitted in each age category.

all international champions will receive an internationalFree Throw Championship trophy commissioned by thesupreme Council and forwarded to the state deputy forpresentation.

Championship

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timelineCouncil Championship — Januarydistrict Championship — Februaryregional Championship (optional) — FebruaryJurisdictional Championship — march

exact dates for your area can be obtained from thejurisdiction program director. Jurisdiction officials shouldnotify each council well in advance the dates, times andlocations of the regional and jurisdictional championships.The district deputy is responsible for notifying councils ofthe date, time and location of the district competition. Thegrand knight or Free Throw Championship chairmanshould notify the council winners of the date, time andlocation of the next level of competition.

eligiBilityThe Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship isopen to all boys and girls in your community, ages 9 to 14.age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant asof January 1. proof of age is required. high school-ageathletes should be advised to check with their schoolathletic directors or their jurisdiction high school athleticassociations regarding possible eligibility conflicts.

entriesall competitors must register using the official Knights ofColumbus Free Throw Championship Entry Form/ScoreSheet (#1598). proof of age must accompany all entry forms.preregistration is recommended, but not required. The entryform/score sheet and proof of age must accompanyparticipants through all levels of competition. your councilnumber must be clearly written on the form. eachparticipant may compete in only one council competition.winners will progress to the district, regional andjurisdictional levels of competition. international championsare chosen on the basis of jurisdiction-level results.

court/equiPmenteach level of competition should be held on any localbasketball court or suitable facility approved by andunder the supervision of a participating Knights ofColumbus council.

age sPeciFications(note: The suggested ball sizes for each age group arebased on national recommendations for youth basketballteams.)

ages 9, 10, 11 (Boys & girls competitions) use a women’s regulation-size basketball and shoot froma 12-foot foul line at a 10-foot-high basket. (note: Thenormal foul line is 15 feet from the basket. Foul lines at12 feet from the basket for 10- and 11-year-old divisionsshould be clearly marked with athletic or masking tapeprior to the competition.)

ages 12, 13, 14 (girls competitions) use a women’s regulation-size basketball and shoot fromthe regulation foul line 15 feet from a 10-foot-highbasket.

ages 12, 13, 14 (Boys competitions) use a men’s regulation-size basketball and shoot from the regulation foul line 15 feet from a 10-foot-highbasket.

Judges/scorers/reBoundersJudges, scorers and rebounders will be selected by theFree Throw Championship chairman at the council level,by the district deputy at the district level, and by thejurisdiction deputy at the regional and jurisdictionallevels. The recommended minimum is one judge, twoscorers and a rebounder at each basket. it isrecommended that volunteer parents be utilized in agegroups other than the group(s) in which their child(children) competes. The judge will ensure that eachparticipant receives the proper warm-up tosses and willpoint out any foul-shooting violations (see scoringsection). all questions will be resolved by the judges andFree Throw Championship chairman. scorers shouldrefer to the scoring instructions included on the entryform/score sheet. The rebounder will catch the ball andgive to the next contestant.

saFe environmentin order.

scoringnormal rules of basketball regarding free throws apply forall levels of competition. Free throw violations includestepping on or over the line prior to the ball reaching therim, or shots rebounding off the “out of bounds” basketsupport and equipment. scorers should record basketsmade and missed on each attempt according to theinstructions on the entry form/score sheet. it isrecommended that multiple scorers be assigned to each

rules & re

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basket for scoring accuracy and comparison. all scoresshould be verified before the next contestant is allowed toshoot. The use of videotape recording of the competitionis not recommended to resolve questions on scoring totals.The judges and scorers and actual entry form/score sheetsshould determine final scores.

comPetition levelscouncil level each contestant receives three warm-up tosses followed by15 consecutive free throw attempts from the appropriateage-designated foul line (see the Court/equipment/agesections for proper ball sizes and foul line distances). to break a tie, contestants take a second round of five freethrows. no warm-up tosses are permitted for the tie-breaker rounds. successive rounds of five free throws eachcontinue until a winner emerges.

district, regional, Jurisdictional levels each contestant receives three warm-up tossesfollowed by 25 consecutive free throw attemptsfrom the foul line. to break a tie, contestantstake a second round of five free throws. nowarm-up tosses are permitted for the tie-breaker rounds. successive rounds of fivefree throws each continue until a winneremerges.

international level international champions aredetermined on the basis of bestscores submitted from the jurisdiction-level competitions in each age category.

note: a free throw championshipshould not be held on a school day unlessall participants are able to attend.

authorityThe Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship program will be under the authority of the state deputyand jurisdiction community director. any questions aboutthis program not answered in this guide should be directedto the appropriate jurisdiction officials or to the:

supreme Council department of Fraternal mission 1 Columbus plaza, new haven, Ct 06510-3326 telephone: (203) 752-4270 Fax: (203) 752-4108email: fraternalmission@kofc.org

gulations

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PuBlicizing your eventOne of the best ways to make sure your council’s free throwprogram is a success is to publicize it. The program mustalways be referred to as the Knights of Columbus FreeThrow Championship.

After reserving a basketball court and setting a date for thechampionship, use the sample press release on this page toannounce the event.

Retype it, double-spaced, on council letterhead, filling in thenecessary information giving the who, what, when

and where of your council’s scheduled Free ThrowChampionship. Make sure to include the name and phone number of a contact person.

Ask editors to publish a reminder close to the date of thechampionship or to list it in the community or weekendcalendars. Talk with assignment editors and suggest thechampionship as a great opportunity for a feature story.Make arrangements for a story about your winners.Personally deliver or send their names, ages and stories,along with clipart logos (available at www.kofc.org/clipart),to the editors of both local news and sports sections of

publicity: get

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the word out!

secular and diocesan newspapers. Send press releases toradio and TV stations and local cable-access news programs.

Contact local high schools and college athletic departmentsabout the possibility of holding your Free ThrowChampionship competition prior to a game and thenpresenting the awards to the champions during halftime.

If there is a professional or semiprofessional franchise inyour area contact its public relations office to see ifarrangements can be made to honor winners of yourcompetition during halftime. Also, approach teams about

the possibility of getting players to present awards to yourchampions. Local sports teams, including sports other thanbasketball, may also be willing to donate uniforms,autographed basketballs and other similar items as awards orprizes for your champions.

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awards/program supplies

A 14-inch trophy with a detailedbasketball figure flanked by twoeagles in bright gold finish isavailable for regional champions.The trophy includes a modernwhite marble-patterned basewith a gold-tone engraving plate.Blank engraving plates areincluded. A carton of 12 trophiesis available.

regional award (Ft-311)

A 18-inch trophy with a detailedbasketball figure flanked by twoeagles in bright gold finish is

available for state or provincial champions. The trophyincludes a modern white marble-patterned base with agold-tone engraving plate. Blank engraving plates areincluded. A carton of 12 trophies is available.

state or Provincial award (Ft-312)

Raise the championship spirit byordering K of C Free Throwpatches! Each patch featuresthe Order’s emblem on top of abasketball design. They come inbatches of 25.

Free Throw competition Patch(Ft-P)

The Supreme Council has promotional items available through knightsgear.com to enhance the FreeThrow Program on all levels! Knights of Columbus Basketballs are also available for use at councilcompetitions, and may be used as awards to council winners.

Order the officialKnights ofColumbus FreeThrowChampionshipBasketball foryour local contest.With our goldemblem and stylish

logo running down thecenter, these regulation-sized

balls are designed to show the pride and honor thatthe Free Throw Contest holds for all participants,sponsors and members involved. This item is availablein packages of 12 basketballs, including 9 women’s and 3 men’s.

official K of c Basketball (Ft-322) e, F, s

This award includes a brightgold-finished basketball andnet above a gold-toneengraving plate. Blankengraving plates are included. A carton of 12 plaques isavailable.

council award (Ft-310)

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Free Throw Entry Form& Score Sheet (#1598)

Free Throw ParticipationCertificate (#1597)

Free Throw ChampionCertificate (#1809)

I wish to enter THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP in the category and age group checked below.My eligibility is to be determined by my age as of January 1. I also understand that I may only compete in one council level competition.

Secondary school athletes should check with the school athletic director about eligibility before participating. Birth Certificate or other proof of age is required to verify eligibility.

Boys Girls AGE: 9 10 11 12 13 14

_______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________Name of Entrant Date of Birth

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Street Address

_________________________________________ _________________________________________ ______________________________________City State/Province Postal Code

_________________________________ _____________________________ __________________________________________________________Telephone (Circle one: Home Cell) Email Signature of Entrant

This Section To Be Completed By Parent/Guardian:

By signing below, the undersigned requests and approves of the entrant’s registration and participation in the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FREE THROWCHAMPIONSHIP (“The Contest”). In consideration for the entrant’s participation in the Contest, the undersigned (1) acknowledges that the entrant’s participation willbe at the sole risk of the entrant and the undersigned and (2) agrees to release, indemnify and hold the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, its subordinate units, officers,agents, members and employees harmless from any and all demands, claims or causes of action arising from or relating to the entrant’s participation in the Contest. The undersigned also agree to allow representatives from the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council or any of its subordinate units to take and publish photographs or videosof the entrant during the Contest.The entrant may compete in only one council level competition. Parent or guardian must sign this form before entrant competes.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Parent/Guardian Date signed

Council No. __________

FREE THROWCHAMPIONSHIP

ENTRY FORM

COMMUNITYFAITH IN ACTION

�is is to Certify that

has participated in the

Knights of Columbus Free �row Championship

Sponsored by

FREE THROWCHAMPIONSHIP

Knights of Columbus

Grand Knight Date

1597 5/18

COMMUNITYFAITH IN ACTION

CHAMPION

FAITH IN ACTION COMMUNITYFAITH IN ACTION

___________________________________

Age _________

Free �rowShooting Excellence

_____________________________________Sponsored by

_______________________ ____________ Grand Knight Date

1809  5-18

FREETHROWCHAMPIONSHIP

Knights of Columbus

Kit Contents

Free Throw Promotional Poster (#1686)

Free ThrowChampionship Playbook

(#1928)

Knights of Columbus

FREETHROWCHAMPIONSHIP

COMMUNITYFAITH IN ACTION

1686 5/18

Boys and Girls, Ages 9-14

Location: ___________________________________

Date: ______________________ Time: ___________

Sponsor: ____________________________________

Contact: ____________________________________

Please note: Entrants may compete in only one local competition.

COMMUNITYFAITH IN ACTION

FREETHROWCHAMPIONSHIP

Knights of Columbus

PLAYBOOK

Free Throw PromotionalPoster (#1596)

Boys and Girls, Ages 9-14

Please note: Entrants may compete in only one local competition.

Knights of Columbus

FREETHROWCHAMPIONSHIP

COMMUNITY

1596 5/18

COMMUNITYFAITH IN ACTION

Location: _____________________________________

Date: ________________________ Time: ___________

Sponsor: ______________________________________

Contact: ______________________________________

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS1 COLUMBUS PLAZA NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326

203-752-4270 www.kofc .org

1928 8-19