Rule 17 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules

Handicaps

How arena team handicaps are worked out and given as goals, and what happens when a player's handicap changes during an event.

1. 17a

   Basis of the handicap

   A player’s handicap is based on a game of four 7½ minute periods. The aggregate handicaps of the players of each team shall constitute the team handicap.

2. 17b

   Goals by handicap

   In games played with handicaps, the difference in team handicaps will be awarded to the team with the lesser handicap and will count as goals scored. Any fractional handicap awarded shall be counted as ½ goal. Fractional goals are used as tie-breakers and in net and gross goal calculations.

3. 17c

   Games of other than four periods

   In games of other than four periods, the team handicap difference shall be divided by four, multiplied by the number of periods to be played, and awarded as goals to the team with the lesser handicap.

4. 17d

   Handicap or flat

   The Committee shall decide if an event is to be played with handicap or on the flat.

5. 17e

   Within the event limits

   The aggregate handicap of a team must fall within the limits specified for an event. No team whose handicap is higher or lower than the specified limits shall be permitted to participate, except as provided in Rules 1.c and 3.c.

6. 17f

   Handicap changes during an event

   If a team has entered an event and has a player or players changed in handicap at any time from the draw through the team’s last game in the event resulting in the team’s total handicap being over or under the maximum handicap limit of the event, the team will remain eligible for that event but must play off the new handicap in all remaining games.

7. 17f(1)

   Substitutes

   Any substitution of players in such a team must bring the team handicap within the handicap limits of the event.

8. 17f(2)

   Flat event

   In an event played on the flat, such a team must give an opponent the goal difference of the team handicap over the upper handicap limit of the event.

9. 17f(3)

   Handicap event

   In a handicap event, such a team must give an opponent the full handicap difference.

10. 17f(4)

    Change of more than two goals

    Should a team’s handicap be changed by more than two goals over the upper or below the lower limit during the event, the team may not continue and must conform itself to the original handicap limits of the event.