The goal of Bullaroot is simple. Four teams—red, blue, green and yellow— containing thirteen players each are assigned a color, a ball, a color-coded target eight feet above the ground and a corresponding net on the opposite side of the field, which measures two hundred square feet. The game is played in three segments called tri-matches. It is a free-for-all competition, and it’s up to each team to score as many net and target shots as they can, while facing possible interference from the three other teams.  Net scores are kicked in while on the move. Target scores are thrown from a stationary position. If a player throws a ball while on the move, he is immediately disqualified. All players have the opportunity to score points.

The targets are fitted with pressure points so balls that strike the outer rings do not score as many points as balls that hit the target dead center. A bullseye will bounce back toward the field with maximum force, provided by the spring action loaded behind each target.

Each game is preceded by a certain amount of pageantry including the announcement of the teams and the players and their respective colors. In a ceremony complete with horns playing, drums banging, and flags waving, each team runs out from a corner of the field, joining with the other team members to jog in a large circular pattern in the center of the field, before splitting up again to form a cross—with the captain closest to the center of the field and his teammates extending outward toward the center of their net. The game starts with the call to “Play on!” Each Bullaroot team captain simultaneously hurls a ball toward the team’s target to begin the game.

The game is refereed by a team of twenty 12-year-olds—five along each outside perimeter. Each referee is sworn to uphold the roots of the game and takes his or her job very seriously.