Bulls Rush FC

This is a pre-season tournament that hosts Boys and Girls, U8-U19. We host players from Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina from Rec Teams to National Level Teams.

General Rules

1. No glass containers of any kind are permitted on any tournament site.

2. FIFA’s Laws of the Game shall govern all tournament play except as modified for the tournament.

3. All teams MUST complete online check-in unless you receive permission from the tournament director.

4. Teams are allowed to have 5 guest players with appropriate registration paperwork.

5.  Players may play on only one team participating in this tournament.

6.  Protests are not allowed.

7.  The Tournament Committee, Bulls Rush FC, Columbia County or any affiliated organizations, organizers or sponsors are not responsible for expenses incurred by any team or individual if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part for any reason.

8. In unusual situations not provided for in these rules, the Tournament Committee will make decisions regarding the tournament. 

9. There will be no punting in the U8-U10 age groups.  A build-out line will be used in this age groups.

10. There will be no heading in the U8-U12 age groups. 

11. Animal Policy - No animals, including but not limited to dogs, are permitted in the area of the game, at SC Youth Soccer sanctioned events. Service animals or those in training for guests with disabilities are allowed.

Overtime – All overtime games are Golden Goal (1st goal wins the match) Each overtime half is 5 minutes. There are no overtime periods in preliminary rounds. Overtime is for semis and finals (semis to kicks and finals with overtime).

Running Clock – A running clock will be kept (i.e., no time added for injuries, delays) except in unusual circumstances.

Forfeit – Forfeits are awarded if a team is not ready to play 5 minutes after the scheduled start of the match.

Registration

All teams MUST complete online check-in.

General Play

• Game Ball – At least one tournament game ball will be provided for each match. If no tournament ball is available, the home team will provide the game ball.

• Home Team – In preliminary matches, the designated home team is the team listed first on the schedule. In playoffs, it is the team with the most points or, if teams are tied on points, by coin flip.

• Score Cards – Will be provided by both teams and will be collected by the Center Referee and/or Field Marshall.

• Red Cards – The referee will report any red cards to a Field Marshall and Referee Assignor. Red cards will result in the player sitting out the next game or two depending on the offense. All Red cards are required to be reported to SCYS.

• Rosters/Passes – Team Rosters, Guest Player Rosters, Tournament Team Rosters, and Player Passes should be available at every match for review by referee.

• 15 Minute Rule – Teams are asked to be at the field 15 minutes prior to game time to check in with the Field Marshall.

• Opposite Sides – As practical, players and spectators must remain on opposite sides of the field during games.

• Club Linesman – If required, both teams may be required to provide a Club Linesman.

• Coach or Parent – Each team must be represented on the field of play by a coach or parent during play.

• Matches that Cannot Start on Time – If the tournament or a field is running behind schedule, both teams should remain at the field ready to begin play immediately upon conclusion of the previous match.

Division Structure

• Divisions with 4 Teams – Teams play each other once for a total of 3 games. Teams are ranked on points. 

• Divisions with 5 Teams – All teams will play two games on Saturday.  After the games on Saturday: the team with the most points will advance straight to the final, the second and third teams will play in the semi-final and the fourth and fifth teams will play in a consolation match.

• Divisions with 6 Teams – Teams are placed in two groups of three. Each team will play the teams in their group the first day. The top team in each group will play in the final, the 2nd place teams will play each other in a consolation game, and the 3rd place teams will play each other in a consolation game.

• Divisions with 8 Teams – Teams are placed into two groups of 4. Each team will play the teams in their group once for a total of 3 games. The first-place team of each group, based on points, will play in the final.

Standings and Scoring

1. Point System for Preliminary Matches -  Win = 3 points, Tie = 1 points, Loss = 0 points

2. Tie-Breaking for Preliminary Standings to Determine Advancement to Playoffs, if points do not determine standings, the following will apply in the sequence until standing is determined:

a. Head-to-Head competition. If more than 2 teams are tied, Head-to-Head does not apply

b. Goal Differential – goal differential is measured per game with max. of 3 goal difference per game

c. Fewest # of goals allowed

d. Shutouts

e. Penalty kicks per FIFA guidelines

   3. Overtime for Semi-Final and Final Matches Ending in Ties

a. Semi-Final matches will go straight to kicks and will not have an overtime period.  

b. For Finals - a 5-minute rest will be given, while captains meet for coin toss to determine kick-off and goal

c. Overtime games are “Sudden Death”, meaning the 1st goal scored wins the match. Two 5-minute Halves will be played; with the teams switching ends of the field after the first 5 minutes have been played.

    If the teams are still tied, penalty kicks per FIFA guidelines will be taken as follows:

                i.  Alternating penalty kicks will be taken by each team, if still tied then . . .

 ii. Single alternating penalty kicks will be taken until one team has scored the most goals after a given round.

iii.  All players on the roster are eligible to participate in penalty kicks regardless of if they are on the field of play when the match ends.

Players Equipment

• Safety – In general, the referee will determine if a player’s equipment is safe, except that (a) shin guards are mandatory for every player; (b) jewelry is not allowed; (c) metal cleats are allowed only if safe in the referee’s discretion; and (d) metal knee braces and hard casts are allowed only at the referee’s discretion and if safely covered.

• Jerseys – If, in the referee’s judgment, jerseys are too similar in color, the Home Team will change jersey. HOME team wears LIGHT colored jerseys, and AWAY team wears DARK colored jerseys.

Substitutions

• Unlimited substitutions on Goals, Goal Kicks, and if team in possession is substituting the opponent will be allowed to substitute as well. No Subbing on Corner Kicks, Free Kicks. 

• Substitutions are allowed for injured or yellow-carded players, with the other team allowed an equal number.

Misconduct, Cautions, and Ejections

• Ejections – Ejected players (red cards) or ejected coaches are not allowed to participate in their team’s next match. Severe behavior resulting in fighting may be ejected from the remainder of the tournament. All decisions will be from the Tournament Committee and Referee Assignor after review.

• Teams will forfeit a game in which an ineligible player or coach participates.

Inclement Weather Policy

Team Expectations

• All teams must report to the field ready to play at their scheduled time, regardless of weather conditions.

• Only the Referee or Tournament Committee has the authority to cancel or postpone a match due to weather, especially in the case of lightning.

Lightning Protocol

• Our parks are equipped with lightning detection systems.

• One Loud Horn = Immediate evacuation. All players and spectators must leave the fields and return to their vehicles.

• Three Loud Horns = All clear. Play will resume at that time.

• Matches will not begin or continue if lightning is present. Tournament Officials will determine when it is safe to resume. Communication will be made through the Tournament registration system.

Match Status & Scoring

• If a match is terminated after the first half, it is considered complete and the score at the time of termination will stand.

• If a match is terminated before halftime or canceled before starting, it will not be rescheduled. Each team will receive a 0-0 tie and 1 point.

• If a match cannot start on time due to weather, it will be declared a 0-0 tie. There will be no delayed start times.

Rescheduling & Cancellations

• The Tournament Director may reschedule matches or cancel the tournament in the event of severe weather.

• If a match is canceled due to weather, best efforts will be made to reschedule.

• If championship matches cannot be played, winners will be determined based on points accumulated to date.

• If the entire tournament is canceled after play has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued unless teams have purchased event insurance through Vi Coverage (powered by Vertical Insure).

• If no games are played at all, refunds or credits will only be issued to teams with Vi Coverage (powered by Vertical Insure).

Final Decisions

• In divisions where championship matches cannot be completed due to weather, the Tournament Director will determine the winner and runner-up based on available results.

• All decisions made by the Tournament Director are final and not subject to protest or appeal.

REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 2026

www.BullsRushFC.com