How the two programs differ
| Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship | Elks Hoop Shoot | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 9 to 14 on January 1 (Jan 1, 2027 this season) | 8 to 13 on April 1 (Apr 1, 2027 this season) |
| Divisions | Each age on its own, boys and girls: 12 | 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, boys and girls: 6 |
| Shots | 15 at council, 25 at district and up, in a row | 25: 10 first, then 15 once the division has shot its 10 |
| Warm-up | 3 tosses | Up to 5 shots |
| Line and ball | Ages 9-11 from 12 ft, size 5 or 6 ball. 12-14 from 15 ft, girls size 6, boys 6 or 7 | 8-9 shoot 4 ft in front of the line. 28.5 in ball, except boys 12-13: 29.5 in |
| Ties | Rounds of 5 among the tied, no warm-up, until there is a winner | Sets of 5 in the same order, then earlier contest score, then coin toss |
| Placings | Winner goes on, 2nd place stands in | 1st to 3rd per division (preliminaries: one winner each) |
Running the day with this page
- Pick the program and level. The season follows your contest date.
- Add each child with a birth date. You see their age on the program's date, their division, and anyone too young or too old.
- On Scoring, pick a division, draw the order if you like, and tap Made or Missed for every shot. The Elks 10-then-15 split is handled for you.
- When a tie decides a place, only the tied shooters are called up for five more shots, until the places are settled.
- Print the score sheets, the results to send on, and a certificate for every child.
Scoring on paper instead? Print the score sheets by division before the doors open. Each sheet already has the names in shooting order, the age, and the right line and ball. Type the totals in afterwards and the page still finds the ties.
Questions organizers ask
What are the age groups for the Knights of Columbus free throw contest?
Boys and girls aged 9 to 14, using their age on January 1. Each age competes on its own, so there are twelve divisions: boys 9 through 14 and girls 9 through 14. For the 2026-27 season that is the age on January 1, 2027.
What are the Elks Hoop Shoot age groups for 2026-27?
Ages 8 to 13 on April 1, 2027, in six divisions: boys and girls 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. A child who is 7 on that date is too young and one who is 14 is too old. A birthday on April 1 itself counts.
How many free throws does each kid shoot?
Knights of Columbus: 15 in a row at the council contest after three warm-up tosses, and 25 at district, regional and state level. Elks Hoop Shoot: 25 at every level, taken as 10 shots, then 15 more after everyone else in the division has taken their first 10.
How are ties broken in a free throw contest?
Only the tied shooters take five more shots, with no warm-up, and that repeats until the tie is gone. The Elks rules keep the regular shooting order and also allow a previous contest score or a coin toss after the five-shot sets. This page tells you who shoots off and records each round.
Does a line violation count as a miss?
Yes. Stepping on or over the line too early (Knights: before the ball reaches the rim; Elks: before it touches the hoop, backboard or net) means the shot does not score. Elks scorers mark it with a circled T, and a shot not taken within 10 seconds is void too. Tap Foul under Elks rules, otherwise Missed.
Who goes to the next level if a winner can't make it?
In the Knights of Columbus contest the second-place shooter represents the area. The rules only describe a shoot-off for the top score, so this page also shoots off a tie for second unless you set it to decide the winner only. Elks lodge contests and above place first to third in every division.
Can I use this instead of the official entry form?
No. Knights of Columbus winners must carry the official entry form and score sheet (#1598) to each level, signed by a parent. Use this page to run the day and print clean sheets and a results list, then copy the totals onto the official forms.
Rules from the Free Throw Championship Playbook (#1928) and Entry Form and Score Sheet (#1598) of the Knights of Columbus, and the Hoop Shoot Playbook and How to Host a Hoop Shoot guide of the Elks, checked in October 2026 for the 2026-27 season. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Knights of Columbus or the Elks. Your contest director's rules come first.