Rule 5 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules
Length and number of periods
How long an arena game lasts, how a period ends, how a tie is broken by extra periods or a shootout, and how the clock treats stoppages, goals and late penalties.
Regulation game
A regulation game shall be four periods of 7-1/2 minutes with intervals of 4 minutes after each period except the second period. There shall be a 10-minute interval after the second period. Should the Committee so designate, an event may be played under one of the following options:
A regulation arena game: four periods of 7½ minutes; intervals of 4 minutes, and 10 after the second period. Split periods
An event may be played with “split periods” as follows:
At the first play stoppage, including a goal, following the expiration of 3 1/2 minutes in any period, the timer shall sound a horn.
During this stoppage, not more than 2 minutes will be allowed for players to change mounts.
Six periods of 5 minutes
An event may be played with six periods of 5 minutes with intervals of 4 minutes after each period except the third period. There shall be a 10-minute interval after the third period.
The horn ends the period
The timer shall sound a horn to signal the end of the period.
Play shall continue in all periods except overtime periods until ended by the final horn.
Play shall stop at the sound of the timer’s horn and the ball shall be dead at that instant. The Umpire shall confirm the end of the period by sounding the whistle.
In an arena without a visible clock, it is recommended that a 30-second warning be sounded.
In the event of a tie at the end of the last regular period, a winner shall be produced under one of the following options as designated by the Committee prior to the commencement of the event:
Tie: extra periods
The game shall continue, after a 10-minute interval, with additional periods, as required, the team first scoring to be declared the winner.
Tie: shootout, set-up
A “shootout” procedure, after a 4-minute interval, conducted as follows:
The Umpire(s) will determine which goal to use. One Umpire will set up each ball, the other Umpire to serve as goal judge. If only one Umpire is officiating, a goal judge will be selected to assist in the shootout
The team to hit first shall be decided by lot.
For the purpose of player substitution, the “shootout” shall be considered an additional period of the game.
The mounts in the shootout shall be those used in the final regular period unless replaced with the Umpire’s consent due to injury or fatigue.
Horses and players in the shootout
During a shootout, all mounts not being used shall be immediately excluded from the arena. Players may switch horses with members of their own team before or between turns only (not between approaches) as frequently as they choose so long as they do so within the 4-minute time limit set forth in Rule 5.c(2) above or within the 2-minute time limits set forth in Rules 5.c(2)(v) and 5.c(2)(ix) below, as applicable. All players from each team will participate. The Host Tournament Committee can determine that using all players from both teams is not in the best interest of the tournament and may choose to use only one player from each team, but a team versus team shootout is preferable.
Taking the shot
Each player, in turn, will attempt a free hit from the 25-yard line at an undefended goal after the Umpire who sets up the ball calls “Play.” A player must hit or hit at the ball on the first or second approach. After each player hits or hits at the ball, the Umpire who sets up the ball will measure an interval of up to 2 minutes and call “Play.” Each player must promptly hit or hit at the ball within a reasonable time period after the Umpire calls “Play” or the Umpire(s) will declare that player’s turn forfeited.
All players not hitting to be behind, and not closer than 10 yards from the ball.
Scoring and further rounds
Each shootout goal to score 1 point. After all players have hit, the team with more points will be declared the game winner by one goal.
Should a tie remain after all players have hit, following a 2-minute interval, all players will hit again. The players shall hit in the same order in each round until a winner is produced. After all players have hit, the team with more points will be declared the game winner by one goal.
Moving the ball closer
Should both teams fail to hit the ball to the end wall from the 25-yard line after two attempts by each team member, the Umpires may move the ball up to the 15-yard line for further attempts by each team.
Note: This procedure for a shootout will be followed in games between two teams that end in a tie. Additional conditions may apply in games between three teams and to determine which team advances between tied teams in a tournament with one or more brackets (see Tournament Condition VI.f - Order of Finish) for additional considerations when using the shootout to determine winners in the event of a tie in either of these two occurrences.
Whistle stops the clock
When the Umpire sounds the whistle and stops play during a period for any cause provided in these rules, the clock shall be stopped, and the elapsed time shall not be deducted from the length of the period.
Goals
When a goal is scored, the Umpire shall signal by raising an arm and time shall not be taken out.
Penalties at the end of a period
All penalties shall be exacted in the period in which they are awarded. If less than 5 seconds remain in the period, the clock shall be reset to 5 seconds prior to the free hit. A penalty awarded between periods of a game will be executed at the start of the following period.