Divisions & Tournament Rules
Bloodfest7s was designed as a "fun for all" tournament with divisions ranging from premier teams to non-traditional 7s players. Today, some of the top teams in the country travel to Austin every summer to compete in Blooddfest 7s, but we still haven't lost our initial vision. Bloodfest7s continues the Austin Huns' big tent philosophy which invites everyone regardless of size, ability, or knowledge to come enjoy the sport of rugby.
View the playing regulations for each division on the drop down topics below.
Premier and Open
Both Premier and Open divisions are subject to World Rugby 7s Laws including roster policies and regulations as well as substitution laws.
Social
Our social divisions goes a bit more relaxed on substitutes and rosters but frequently features some of our best kit designs in the tournament. Many college and non-competitive clubs choose our social division to come out and enjoy the experience of Bloodfest without having to take it too seriously.
Rolling subs
Unlimited roster sizes (but still only 7 on the field at a time)
Super Social
Super Social is the heart of Bloodfest 7s and has been one of our most popular divisions to watch based on the on and off field antics. Special 7s players deserve special law variations, which are listed below. Of course, interpretation, and addition, is always up to the referee.
Rolling subs and unlimited roster.
Center the ball between the posts = 7 points, any other try = 5. No kicking for any points.
If a team goes up by 14 or more, the last player to score is "sin binned" in the center of the pitch. They may move within the 10 meter lines, but not past them either way. If they are in an offsides position due to this they may not impede play.
If a player under 200 pounds receives the ball on their half of the pitch they may not score. They must pass to another player or the sanction is a mid-field penalty (i.e. no break aways by skinny backs).
There are no ties. If there is a tie score at the end of regulation an off field contest must be agreed upon by each captain to decide the winner. Winning the contest = 5 game points.
Any team not maintaining the spirit of Super Social may be promoted to another bracket at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
High School Divisions
High school divisions are the most important divisions at Bloodfest 7s. This is the future of our great sport. High school brackets are growing every year.
HS Boy's Premier- This Is our top HS Boy's division with teams coming to compete from all over the country. Pool play will begin Friday night and the teams will move Into playoff brackets Saturday morning. 5 games guaranteed.
HS Boy's Open- This division focuses on development and will run Saturday Only. 3 games guaranteed.
HS Girl's- All levels are encouraged to show their stuff at Bloodfest! Brackets will be adjusted throughout play so teams will find appropriate competition. Pool play and playoffs will be on Saturday. games guaranteed.
Eligibility rules for players will be based on USA Rugby High School Competition Rules and Eligibility. Here are the main eligibility criteria for these divisions.
Players must have attended class full time, as defined by the High School registrar, during the 2022-2023 school year.
Bloodfest 7s is proud to be a sanctioned event of USA Rugby. All competing teams must adhere to the policies as stated by USA Rugby and the Texas Rugby Union. For more information visit https://www.usa.rugby/club/.
USA Rugby Weekend Membership Option
ALL PLAYERS MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF USA RUGBY TO PARTICIPATE. Membership allows for insurance coverage and lets us have this awesome event without risking huge liability. Need a membership just for the event? Check out these instructions. If you need help contact USA Rugby Membership.
Part 1: Set up your RX profile (some of you may have already done this)
Enter in your personal email (NOT and admin/general email)
You may see “You don't have a Rugby ID,” not to worry as once you enter more details the system will be able to pair you with your imported profile
Select sign me up, and you will be redirected to enter in your personal details
MAKE SURE that USAR National is selected and not Rugby Australia
If you see “We have found some profiles that might be you!” Please select your profile and click continue.
You will be redirected to the Rugby Xplorer profile homepage
Part 2: Register as Senior Player (Weekly Membership)
Login to your profile (created using the steps above)
Select Register in the upper left hand corner
Go to find a club, select your profile, and select next
Search “At Large” (select At Large Senior Club) and select next
Choose the following options - Player, Senior Club, Weekly
Confirm all your personal information is correct
Upload a profile photo (or skip)
Confirm all additional personal details are correct
Update your emergency contact information
Review your Registration Summary
Agree to the terms and conditions
TOURNAMENT & FACILITY RULES
FACILITY RULES
No outside alcohol allowed on festival grounds. Bag and cooler checks will be performed at gates.
Tents in “Tent Area” only.
No warming up on fields without explicit permission from tournament staff. Please use common areas for warming up.
No pets other than guide animals.
No grills, generators, or drones permitted.
No smoking or tobacco products within the facility.
No golf carts or other motorized transport within the tournament gates.
NO METAL CLEATS.
TOURNAMENT RULES
KICKING; As directed by the referee prior to the game. However, whether from behind or in front, not retrieving a kicked ball that remains in the facility will be strictly enforced and will result in a free kick to the opposition. All teams should have a chaser.
UNIFORMS: Torn shirts or jerseys are not allowed. Players must leave the field and replace a jersey (similar to blood sub). Also, players must match, or come close to matching, to the discretion of the opposition and referee.
ROSTERS: Rosters are turned in prior to the tournament and reviewed at check in.
Teams that do not check in and confirm rosters will be considered non compliant and forfeit any games scheduled.
Premier rosters are set at the beginning of the day with 12 players and a 13th alternate. The alternate may rotate in but each game is only allowed a 12 man roster.
Open and Social rosters are allowed movement during pool play but must be locked by playoffs.
Super Social is open as long as everyone is recorded somewhere on a roster.
DIVISIONS: The Tournament Director has the right to move a team up or down a division to maintain competitiveness for playoffs.
SEEDING: Pools are seeded by prior performance this 7s season (if available). All seedings are determined by the Tournament Director and are final. Playoff pools will be seeded by points earned in pool play (if applicable):
3 points for a win. 2 points for a draw. 1 point for a loss. 0 points for a no-show.
ROUND ROBIN: If the bracket or playoff pool is a round robin style then each team will play the other once with points based on the system described above.
SUPER SOCIAL: Special law variations are in place for our super social division under the drop down above.
TIE BREAKERS: (1) head-to-head; (2) point differential during pool play; (3) total points scored during pool play; (4) coin toss. Playoff games may not end in a tie. Additional 7 minute periods will be played with sudden death.
SUBS:
Premier and Open- Five (5) subs maximum. 12 player roster set at check in (13th alternate allowed for injury).
High School- Five subs maximum per game. 12 player roster can be set for each game.
Social and Super Social- Open subs allowed at stoppages.
USA RUGBY REGISTRATION: ALL PLAYERS MUST BE CIPP REGISTERED AND ON THE ROSTER TURNED IN TO TOURNAMENT HOSTS.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated by players, coaches, or spectators.
Referee abuse will not be tolerated by players, coaches, or spectators.
Offending parties may be removed from the facility at the discretion of tournament hosts.