Rule 10 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules

Calling fouls and choosing the penalty

How arena umpires call fouls, play the advantage and choose the penalty, with the table of penalties for each rule.

1. 10a

   Calling a foul

   The Umpire may declare any violation of the Rules of Play a foul when seen, or when not seen, upon satisfactory evidence to the Umpire.

2. 10a(1)

   When a foul is called, the Umpire shall stop play by sounding the whistle and announce the foul and penalty.

3. 10a(2)

   Playing the advantage

   Calling the advantage: The Umpire may also elect not to stop play by calling a foul, or to briefly delay the stoppage of play for a foul, if the Umpire deems it to be in the best interest of the game or if interrupting the game and awarding a penalty would result in a disadvantage to the team fouled. Generally, if the Umpire delays blowing the whistle to assess whether the fouled team would be disadvantaged by a foul call, he or she should make that assessment immediately after the next play.

4. 10a(3)

   Fouls when play is already stopped

   Should a foul be called when play has already been stopped, the Umpire shall so indicate by again sounding the whistle and/or by displaying a yellow or red card and announcing the foul and penalty.

5. 10a(3)(a)

   A “dead ball” foul may be penalized by offsetting an announced foul, or increasing or decreasing the severity of an announced foul.

6. 10a(3)(b)

   A “dead ball” foul may be called at any time play is stopped including following a goal or between periods of the game.

7. 10b

   Choosing the penalty

   There are degrees of dangerous and unfair play. Where any penalty is prescribed, the selection is at the discretion of the Umpire. Among the considerations:

8. 10b(1)

   Degree of danger or unfair advantage.

9. 10b(2)

   Location of the violation.

10. 10b(3)

    Position of players on the field.

11. 10b(4)

    Frequency of similar violation.

12. 10b(5)

    Location of the ball.

13. 10c

    More than one penalty

    More than one penalty may be exacted by the Umpire where appropriate, whether or not multiple fouls are committed.

14. 10d

    Fouls by both teams at once

    If both teams commit a foul at approximately the same time, no free hit is taken and the ball is bowled-in at the point where play was stopped but not less than 15 yards from nearer goal.

15. 10e

    Which penalties fit which rules

    The following penalties may be exacted for violation of specific Rules:

16. 10e table

    RULE	PENALTY
    VIOLATED:	EXACTED:
    2.b, c, d, e, g, h	8
    2.f	9
    3.a 2), 3)	8
    3.a. 5), 6)	9
    3.b, c, d	9
    7.a	2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    12	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    13	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    14	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    14.h	2, 3, 4, 5
    15	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
    16	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

17. 10e(1)

    When Penalty 1 applies

    Penalty 1 shall be exacted for a foul in the vicinity of the goal to prevent the scoring of a goal.

18. 10e(2)

    Penalty 2 or 3 inside the 25

    At the discretion of the Umpire, either a Penalty 2 or a Penalty 3 shall be exacted for a foul by the defending team that occurs inside the 25-yard line closest to the goal it is defending but which does not qualify for a Penalty 1.

19. 10e(3)

    Yellow card on a Penalty 2

    If the fouling team is issued a yellow card for a foul committed resulting in a Penalty 2 or during the execution of a Penalty 2, a Penalty 1 shall be awarded to the fouled team.

20. 10e(4)

    When Penalty 5a or 5b applies

    Penalties 5.a and 5.b are to be awarded for fouls that are:

21. 10e(4)(a)

    Without danger;

22. 10e(4)(b)

    Inadvertent, not deliberate;

23. 10e(4)(c)

    Minor advantage or disadvantage to either team.