The tournament director/host school(s) should coordinate a meeting with district coaches to clarify the following items prior to the start of the tournament. Communication with district coaches can be initiated through the TSSAA Portal by clicking on the following tabs:

Sports > Memberships > Members

Here you will find email distribution lists for all district athletic directors and head coaches. You will also find a no-cost conference call line with an access code that is unique for your district.

  1. Division I Tournament Draw / Schedule - The tournament draw is based on seeding criteria established by the district. Set schedule and times for all matches, if not already done. Notify assigning officer of local association of district tournament schedule, times and sites as soon as possible. The tournament must be completed by the dates outlined in the TSSAA Calendar.
  2. Division II Tournament Draw / Schedule - The tournament draw is based on seeding criteria established by the district. Set schedule and times for all matches, if not already done. Notify assigning officer of local association of district tournament schedule, times and sites as soon as possible.
  3. Tickets / Price of Admission - Ticket prices for the tournament should be agreed upon by the schools. They are not set by TSSAA. Arrangements for tickets should be made by the host schools.
  4. Tournament Passes - The host school(s) along with the teams in the district should agree on the passes that will be accepted at the gate, as well as the number of passes that will be honored for players and staff of participating teams. TSSAA ID cards are allowed to be accepted as passes and admit one person only. The card holder MUST be in possession of the physical card. Photos of TSSAA ID cards cannot be accepted. The Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association (TACA) card will provide complimentary admittance for one person per card.
  5. Tournament Rosters - A team may place an unlimited number of players on the roster for district tournament play. A team may dress an unlimited number of players for district tournament play.
  6. Game Officials - Game officials shall be supplied by the local association serving the host school. Game officials shall be paid regular season rate plus mileage at 30 cents per mile per official.
  7. Game Administrator's Meeting - The TSSAA Board of Control has designated that prior to any varsity contest in the sport of soccer, the game administrator is required to conduct a pre-game meeting with game officials, both head coaches, and security. The game administrator shall be present and visible for the duration of the game.
  8. Inclement Weather Guidelines - Games suspended due to conditions which make it impossible to continue play shall be continued from the point of suspension of play if less than one half of the game has been played. The same procedure shall be used if more than one half of the game has been played and the score is tied when play is suspended.
  9. Tie Breaking Procedures / Mercy Rule - Beginning with postseason play, two 10 minute overtime periods will be played if there is a tie at the end of regulation. These overtime periods are not sudden victory. If at the conclusion of the two 10 minute overtime periods a tie exists, then the tie shall be broken with the penalty kick procedure outlined in the NFHS Soccer Rules Book. The Mercy Rule shall be in effect for postseason contests.
  10. Financial Arrangements - Concession revenue shall go to the host school unless otherwise agreed upon by the administration of schools in the district. TSSAA shall receive 18% of the gross gate receipts. Postseason financial forms must now be completed through the TSSAA Portal. All checks for district, regional, and sectional tournaments and playoffs must be distributed within 10 business days of the completion of the tournament or game. Failure to do so will result in a $100.00 late fee to be paid to TSSAA and is to be used in the A.F. Bridges sportsmanship program to go to schools or students receiving awards. Failure to distribute funds within 20 business days will result in an additional $200 late fee (total $300.00). Failure to distribute funds within 40 business days will result in an additional $200.00 late fee (total $500.00). The school may not host any tournament or playoff until the principal or athletic director appears before the Board of Control to explain their reasons for not distributing the checks within the required time frame. The Board would then determine whether the school can host tournaments or playoffs in the future.
  11. Video / Videostream / Radio - All taping or filming by a school must be approved by the local Game Director, and the Game Director shall assign space, when available, for the school to tape or film. Rules governing videostreaming or other broadcast of a postseason contest are found in the TSSAA Media Regulations.
  12. Tournament Awards - TSSAA provides a district championship plaque and a district runner-up plaque. Awards will be shipped to the tournament director, provided the tournament director is provided to the state office prior to April 17, otherwise the state office will select the school/Athletic Director that will receive the awards..
  13. Submitting Results & Region Tournament Information - Upon completion of the district tournament, please email your district champion and runner-up to: tssaa@tssaa.org. In addition, region semifinal and region final hosts please submit the site and time of your match to tssaa@tssaa.org as soon as possible.
  14. Region Tournament Guidelines - Download the information for teams which advance to the Region Tournament.