Rule 8 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules
Starting and restarting play
How an arena game and each period begin, how the bowl-in is done, when a stopped team keeps the ball, and the free-hit-after-a-goal option.
Choosing ends
The teams shall decide by lot which goal each shall defend initially. Thereafter, goals shall be changed at the beginning of each period including any extra period.
Starting the game and each period
The game begins with both teams positioning themselves, at the time designated by the Committee, for a center line bowl-in. Subsequent periods may begin with a center line bowl-in or Penalty hit as directed by the Umpire.
The bowl-in: each team on the side of the centre line of the goal it defends, facing the umpire, who bowls the ball underhand and hard along the centre line towards the nearer wall. - Every player at least 3 yd from the umpire
- Each team on the side of the centre line of the goal it defends
- The umpire bowls in underhand and hard along the centre line, towards the nearer wall
When play is begun with a bowl-in:
The bowl-in line
The Umpire shall indicate the “center line” of the bowl-in.
At the arena center, this line will be marked on the floor.
At all other points, the “center line” will extend from the Umpire’s hand perpendicular to the wall.
Which side to line up
Each team shall be positioned on the same side of the center line, as the goal each is to defend.
Three yards from the umpire
Each player shall be at least 3 yards from the Umpire and shall not be moving toward the Umpire.
No contact before the bowl
There shall be no contact between players until the ball leaves the Umpire’s hand.
How the ball is bowled
The Umpire shall bowl-in the ball, underhand and hard, along the center line.
Direction of a bowl-in
The direction of any bowl-in shall be from the center of the arena to the nearer wall, but not closer than 15 yards to either goal.
Wrong-way line-up at a bowl-in
If the Umpire(s) inadvertently permit all players on both teams to line up the wrong way, the responsibility rests with the Umpire(s), and there is no redress. The teams must play on until the next dead ball, a goal is scored or the period ends. Any goal scored that is consistent with the “wrong-way line-up” counts for the team that scored it.
Starting with a penalty hit
When play is begun with a Penalty hit, the procedures outlined in Rule 9 shall apply. If the Umpire(s) inadvertently permit all players on both teams to line up the wrong way on a Penalty hit, the responsibility rests with the Umpire(s), and there is no redress. The teams must play on until a goal is scored or the period ends and any goal scored that is consistent with the “wrong-way line-up” counts for the team that scored it.
Unfair stoppage: possession kept
If the Umpire or Umpires stop play for a perceived rule violation that does not result in a foul being called or due to an inadvertent whistle, a damaged or buried ball, a fallen or injured Umpire, player or horse, or some other perceived emergency or unexpected event, and the team in possession of the ball is significantly disadvantaged by the interruption of play, to be determined by the Umpires in their discretion, that team will be awarded a free hit as in Penalty 5. If the team that is awarded a free hit had possession in their attacking side of the arena, the free hit will take place no closer than the center of the arena as in a Penalty 5b. Otherwise, the team will be awarded a free hit from the point where the ball was when play was stopped.
Option: free hit after a goal
Play may be started after a goal with a free hit by the team against which a goal has been scored, rather than a bowl-in at the center of the arena (said option to be chosen and announced before the Event by the Host Tournament Committee). When using this option, the use of one Umpire and either the four chukker format with a stoppage in the middle of the chukker or the six 5-minute chukker format is recommended.
One hitter near the ball
During the execution of a Penalty 5.a or 5.b, a free hit resulting from a ball hit out of bounds or a free hit after a goal is scored when, only one member of the hitting team shall be within 10 yards of the ball when the Umpire calls “PLAY” and the ball is hit or hit at.
When play is begun with a free hit by the team against which a goal was scored:
Five seconds to play it
After a goal is scored, the ball is put into play promptly within 5 seconds after the Umpire calls “PLAY.”
Defenders 5 yards off
No defender may be within 5 yards of the ball when it is hit or hit at.
Defenders out of place
Should the defending team not position itself properly, a Penalty 5.b shall be awarded to the hitting team.
Hitter too slow
Should the hitting team not put the ball in play promptly, a Penalty 5.b shall be awarded to the defending team.
A stoppage before the hit
If there is a stoppage in play for anything other than a confirmed penalty after a goal is scored, the hitting team will be awarded a free hit no closer than 5 yards from the end wall as in a Penalty 5.a.
When the clock restarts
The timer shall start the clock, if stopped, the moment the ball leaves the Umpire’s hand for a bowl-in, or when the ball is hit or hit at, as in Rule 9.
Red clearly has possession of the ball and hits the ball forward. The ball hits the Umpire’s horse. The whistle should be blown and a free hit should be awarded to Red no closer than center as in a Penalty 5b.