Player Safety Guide

Last updated September 29, 2026.

Hoopers is about good games against real opponents. This guide collects practical habits that help games go well. It is general guidance, not a set of rules and not a promise of safety. The rules for using Hoopers are in the Terms of Service and the Acceptable Use and Safety Policy.

Hoopers does not screen players, run background checks, supervise games, or inspect courts. Your judgment matters most.

Before the game

• Pick a public court you know. Busy, well-lit public courts during open hours are a good default for a first game with someone new.
• Check that the court is open to you. Some courts belong to schools, gyms or private facilities. A court appearing in Hoopers does not mean you are allowed to use it or that it is in good condition.
• Tell someone where you are going. Let a friend or family member know the court, the time, and who you are playing.
• Look at their profile. You can see a player's display name, username and competitive record before you play. That tells you about their games in Hoopers, not who they are offline.
• Keep your personal details to yourself. You do not need to share your home address, school, workplace or other personal information to play a game.
• Get yourself there. Arrange your own transportation, so you can leave whenever you want.

At the court

• Warm up and know your limits. Basketball is a physical game. Play at a level that is right for your fitness and health.
• Look at the surface. Check for wet spots, cracks, debris, broken rims or poor lighting before you start. If it does not look right, play somewhere else.
• Bring water. Stay hydrated, especially in heat.
• Watch your belongings. Keep your phone, keys and bag close, or leave valuables at home.
• Respect the venue. Follow posted rules and hours, and share the court with others who are there.

During the game

• Agree on the basics first. Settle the format, scoring and how you will call fouls before you start.
• Keep it competitive, not personal. Trash talk has limits. Threats, slurs and intimidation are against the Hoopers rules.
• You can stop at any time. If a game gets too rough, a player becomes aggressive, or something just feels wrong, you can end it and leave. You do not owe anyone a finished game. No record is worth your safety.

After the game

• Submit your result honestly. Each player submits the result on their own. If you disagree about the outcome, Hoopers has a review process. Do not argue it out in person if things are getting heated.
• Head out on your own terms. You do not have to go anywhere else with your opponent.

If you have a Teen Account

• Keep your guardian in the loop. Tell your parent or guardian where and when you are playing, and who with. Hoopers also lets your linked guardian know when you connect with an adult.
• You decide who you connect with. An adult cannot find you or start a connection with you in Hoopers. Only connect with an adult you have actually met and want to play.
• Play where you're allowed to be, with people around. That can be a public court during open hours, or a school gym, rec center, club or other basketball setting you're permitted to use.
• Nobody should ask you for secrets. If anyone asks you to keep contact with them from your guardian, asks for photos, or asks to meet somewhere private, stop, tell a trusted adult, and report them.

If you play a Teen

• Only play Teens who connected with you. Hoopers only lets a Teen start a connection with an adult. Do not look for other ways to reach Teens.
• Keep it to basketball, in a normal basketball setting. Hoopers is not a way to arrange social meetings with Teens. Play only in an ordinary basketball setting where the Teen is permitted to be. Do not offer rides, meet somewhere private, or ask for a phone number, social media accounts, school or photos.
• Keep it open. Nothing about a game with a Teen should be kept from their parent or guardian.

For parents and guardians

• Talk about the basics. Agree with your Teen on where they can play and who they tell before a game.
• Watch for guardian notices. Hoopers tells you when your Teen connects with an adult. If a connection concerns you, talk with your Teen, and contact us at support@hoopersapp.com.
• Report concerns. If you are worried about an adult's behavior toward your Teen, email support@hoopersapp.com. If someone is in danger, call 911 first.

If something goes wrong

• In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Hoopers is not an emergency service and cannot send help.
• If someone is hurt, get help first.
• If you feel unsafe, leave, go somewhere with other people around, and contact someone you trust.

Blocking and reporting

• Block a player from their profile if you do not want them to find you, challenge you or send you a friend request in Hoopers. We do not tell them you blocked them.
• Report a player from their profile if they break the Hoopers rules, for example harassment, cheating, impersonation or an inappropriate profile. Hoopers staff review reports. We do not tell the other player who reported them.
• Reporting in Hoopers does not replace calling the police or emergency services when someone is in danger.

Who can use Hoopers

Hoopers is for players 13 and older. Players 13 through 17 use Teen Accounts, set up with a parent or legal guardian. If you believe a child under 13 is using Hoopers, email support@hoopersapp.com.

Questions

Email support@hoopersapp.com.