Rule 4 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules
Officials
Who runs an arena event and game: the host committee, the umpire or umpires and referee, the timekeeper, the scorekeeper and goal judges.
Host tournament committee
Host Tournament Committee
A Host Tournament Committee, as set forth in USPA Tournament Conditions Section VII, will conduct all USPA and Club Events. The Host Tournament Committee shall be responsible for all aspects of the event including scheduling, conducting the draw, appointment of officials, providing all facilities and equipment needed by the officials to conduct the event, and resolution of all questions which arise at times other than when the Umpire is in charge. Any conflict between these Rules and Tournament Conditions Section VII concerning the responsibilities of the Host Tournament Committee for a USPA Event shall be resolved in favor of Tournament Conditions Section VII. (Note: The considerations under these Rules that the Host Tournament Committee should address before an event commences are printed in blue ink. See Rule 1.d (exceptions or variances); Alternative Rule 3.b(3) (player eligibility); Rule 4.a(3) (team eligibility); Rule 4.b(1) (number of Umpires); Rule 5.a (length and number of periods); Rule 5.c (manner of breaking a tie); Rules 6.d and 8.f (continuous play option); Alternative Rule 9 (Penalty 5 option); Alternative Rule 13A (Improper Blocking) Rule 15.a(4) (high hook definition); and Rule 17.d (handicap or flat).)
Membership of the committee
The Host Tournament Committee shall consist of three or more individuals who shall be clearly identified to all participants.
A spokesperson
The Host Tournament Committee may designate any individual to represent the Host Tournament Committee in communicating with the participants.
Eligibility
The Host Tournament Committee, or its representative, shall determine the eligibility of all players and teams.
Penalties and discipline
The Host Tournament Committee may impose penalties, including Penalty 9, and may initiate disciplinary action in accordance with the Association’s Sport-Related Conduct Violation Procedures, Part I of the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Policy.
Umpire and Referee
How many umpires
All Umpires and Referees shall be members of the USPA. Every game shall have two Umpires and a Referee or just one Umpire at the discretion of the Committee. Throughout these Rules, “Umpire” shall refer to one or two, whichever are serving. The second Umpire may be mounted or serve from a vantage point on the side.
The arena officials: one mounted umpire; with a second umpire, mounted or at a vantage point on the side, a referee; a timekeeper; goal judges if appointed. The rules set no place for the referee, the timekeeper or the goal judges. - Umpire, mounted
- Second umpire, if two: mounted, or at a vantage point on the side
- Referee, with two umpires: place not set
- Timekeeper: place not set
- Goal judges, if appointed: place not set
When their authority runs
The authority of the Umpire and/or Referee shall extend from 15 minutes before the time each game is scheduled to start until 15 minutes after each game ends and shall include the ability to file a Conduct Violation Complaint against a player whose conduct is not in the best interest of the sport in accordance with the Association’s Sport-Related Conduct Violation Procedures, Part I of the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Policy
Enforcing the rules
The Umpire shall be responsible for enforcing the Rules and maintaining proper control over players and teams during the game.
Decisions are final
Subject to Rule 18, all decisions of the Umpire, or agreed decisions of two Umpires, shall be final.
When two umpires disagree
In the event two Umpires are serving and they disagree, the Referee shall decide which Umpire’s opinion is to prevail or call offsetting penalties, if confirming fouls called on both teams. The Referee’s decision is to be final.
Only umpires award penalties
The Officials are encouraged to discuss among themselves any aspect of the game; however, only the Umpire(s) can award a Penalty.
Cases the rules do not cover
Should any incident or question not provided for in these Rules arise during a game, such incident or question shall be decided by the Umpire or the Umpires and Referee.
Absolute authority
The authority of the Umpire is absolute and the Umpire’s decisions must be respected and complied with. The Umpire has the authority to impose any penalty as set down in Rule 9.
Mounted umpires' dress and helmet
Mounted Umpires shall appear in proper uniform and wearing a protective helmet of the same kind and in the same manner as is required of players by Rule 3.a(2).
Timekeeper
Timekeeper
A Timekeeper shall be appointed by the Committee whose responsibility it shall be to keep track of time elapsed during and between periods of the game.
The Timekeeper shall signal the expiration of time to the Officials. In all cases, time expires at the sound of the horn and the Umpire’s whistle confirms the end of a period.
The authority of the Timekeeper shall be subordinate to that of the Umpire.
Scorekeeper
Scorekeeper
A Scorekeeper shall be appointed by the Committee whose responsibility it shall be to keep track of goals scored, including goals by handicap or penalty, and fouls committed by both teams and to advise the Umpire of both.
The Scorekeeper shall fill out any forms or score sheets required by the Association following the game or event.
The authority of the Scorekeeper shall be subordinate to that of the Umpire.
Goal judges
Goal Judges
Goal Judges may be appointed who shall give testimony to the Umpire at the latter’s request as to goals scored or other points of the game near the goal.
The authority of the Goal Judge shall be subordinate to that of the Umpire.