Rule 9 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules
The penalties
The nine arena penalties, from the awarded goal to forfeiture, where each is taken from and how penalty hits must be carried out.
The umpire's menu of penalties
SPECIFIC PENALTIES: A violation of these Rules may be penalized by the Umpire in accordance with its severity, its location, or its effect on the game, by awarding to the offended team one of the following penalties:
Every penalty spot from above, to scale, at the end of the team that fouled - Penalty 2: 15 yd from the goal line, opposite the centre of the goal
- Penalties 3 and 4: 25 yd from the goal line, opposite the centre of the goal
- Penalty 5.a: the point of the foul, at least 25 yd from the goal and 5 yd from the wall
- Penalty 5.b: the centre of the arena
- Penalties 2 and 3: one defender along the end wall, at least 10 yd from the edge of the goal
- Penalty 4: one defender within a 5-yard arc of the goal
Penalty 1: the goal awarded
If, in the opinion of the Umpire(s), a player commits a deliberate foul in the vicinity of the goal to prevent the scoring of a goal, the team fouled shall be awarded one or two goals depending on whether the attempted goal shot met the criteria of Rule 6.a(2) . The game shall be resumed with a Penalty 5.b awarded to the team fouled.
Penalty 2: free hit from 15 yards
A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from a spot 15 yards in front of the center of the goal, all players to be behind the point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at, except one designated member of the fouling team, who shall be placed along the end wall to the left or right of the goal, no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge or the corner of the arena, if the corner is less than 10 yards from the edge of the goal. That member of the fouling team may not switch sides either left or right of the goal once the Umpire has called “PLAY.” No opponent shall be within 5 yards of the player making the hit. If the ball is hit wide of the goal and rebounds off the end wall, only the fouling team may play the ball, but it must do so immediately, and no member of the fouled team shall affect that play. As used in the prior sentence, the word “immediately” means within 5 seconds of the rebound, and the phrase “affect that play” describes conduct that includes but is not limited to being within a 5-yard radius of the designated player’s play on the rebound. If a member of the fouled team affects that play, the Umpire(s) may award a center hit or more severe penalty. If the fouling team does not play the ball immediately, the Umpire shall stop play and another free hit shall be granted the team fouled as called for in the original Penalty 2. If the ball is hit directly out of play on the penalty shot, the Umpire shall award the fouling team a free hit from the point where the ball went out of play, no closer than 5 yards to the end wall as in Penalty No. 5.a. If the goal is scored directly from the mallet of the hitter it shall count as one point. Play shall continue, in the event no goal is scored on the free hit.
Penalty 2 from a foul inside the 15
If the team fouled is awarded a Penalty 2 inside the 15-yard line, it may elect to take the penalty shot from the spot or the 15-yard line. If a penalty shot from the 15-yard line is elected, the Penalty 2 procedure above shall apply. If a penalty shot from the spot is elected, all players are to be behind the 15 yard line until the ball is hit or hit at, except one designated member of the fouling team, who shall be placed along the end wall on the opposite side of the goal from the point of the free hit, no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge or the corner of the arena, if the corner is less than 10 yards from the edge of the goal. All other procedures shall be as in the standard Penalty 2.
Penalty 3: free hit from 25 yards
A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from a spot 25 yards in front of the center of the goal, all players to be behind the point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at, except one designated member of the fouling team, who shall be placed along the end wall to the left or right of the goal, no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge or the corner of the arena, if the corner is less than 10 yards from the edge of the goal. That member of the fouling team may not switch sides either left or right of the goal once the Umpire has called “PLAY.” No opponent shall be within 5 yards of the player making the hit. If the ball is hit wide of the goal and rebounds off the end wall, only the fouling team may play the ball, but it must do so immediately, and no member of the fouled team shall affect that play. As used in the prior sentence, the word “immediately” means within 5 seconds of the rebound, and the phrase “affect that play” describes conduct that includes but is not limited to being within a 5-yard radius of the fouling team’s play on the rebound. If a member of the fouled team affects that play, the Umpire(s) may award a center hit or more severe penalty. If the fouling team does not play the ball immediately, the Umpire shall stop play and another free hit shall be granted the team fouled as called for in the original Penalty 3. If the ball is hit directly out of play on the penalty shot, the Umpire shall award the fouling team a free hit from the point where the ball went out of play, no closer than 5 yards to the end wall as in Penalty 5.a. If the goal is scored directly from the mallet of the hitter it shall count as one point. Play shall continue in the event no goal is scored on the free hit.
Penalty 4: free hit from 25 yards, goal defended
A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from a spot 25 yards in front of the center of the goal, all players to be behind the point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at, except one designated member of the fouling team, who may be placed within a 5-yard arc of the goal. No opponent shall be within 5 yards of the player making the hit. If the defender in goal blocks the ball with his mallet, body or horse, or plays a rolling ball, the ball becomes live for both teams and all Right of Way rules apply. If the ball is hit wide of the goal and rebounds off the end wall, only the fouling team may play the ball, but it must do so immediately, and no member of the fouled team shall affect that play. As used in the prior sentence(s), the word “immediately” means within 5 seconds of the rebound, and the phrase “affect that play” describes conduct that includes but is not limited to being within a 5-yard radius of the fouling team’s play on the rebound. If a member of the fouled team affects that play, the Umpire(s) may award a center hit or more severe penalty. If the fouling team does not play the ball immediately, the Umpire shall stop play and another free hit shall be granted the team fouled as called for in the original Penalty 4. If the goal is scored, whether directly or off the wall, or after contact with the defender’s mallet, body, or mount, it shall count as one point. If the criteria of Rule 6.a(3) are satisfied, a goal scored shall count two points. If the ball is hit directly out of play on the penalty shot, the Umpire shall award the fouling team a free hit from the point where the ball went out of play, no closer than 5 yards to the end wall as in Penalty 5.a. Play shall continue in the event that no goal is scored on the free hit. .
At the discretion of the Umpire, a free hit at the ball by the team fouled from:
Penalty 5a: free hit from the spot
The point of infraction, if 25 yards or more from the goal that the fouled team is attacking. Both teams shall position themselves anywhere in the arena except that no member of the fouling team shall be within five yards of the ball when the Umpire calls “PLAY” and the ball is hit or hit at. No player may line up in the Right of Way unless at a minimum of 16 yards from the ball. Should the point of infraction be less than five yards from the wall, the ball shall be hit or hit at from the nearest spot in the arena which is five yards from the wall. Play shall continue in the event that no goal is scored on the free hit. If the ball is hit directly out of play on the penalty shot, the Umpire shall award the fouling team a free hit from no closer than 5 yards to the end wall as in Penalty 5.a. That free hit will be taken from the point where the ball went out of play unless that point is closer to the goal the fouling team is attacking than the center line of the arena, in which case it will be taken from the center line. If a goal is scored that satisfies the criteria in Rule 6.a(2), it shall count as two points.
Penalty 5b: free hit from the centre
A point at the mid-point center line of the arena; both teams to position themselves anywhere in the arena except that no member of the fouling team shall be within 5 yards of the ball when the Umpire calls “PLAY” and the ball is hit or hit at. No player may line up in the Right of Way unless at a minimum of 16 yards from the ball. Play shall continue if no goal is scored on the free hit. If the ball is hit directly out of play on the penalty shot, the Umpire shall award the fouling team a free hit from the point where the ball went out of play, no closer than 5 yards to the end wall as in Penalty 5.a. If a goal is scored that satisfies the criteria in Rule 6.a(2), it shall count as two points.
The Penalty 5.a from the point of the infraction should be awarded only for the minor incidents that occur no closer than 25 yards from the goal that the fouled team is attacking, and the ball must be placed no closer than 25 yards from that goal. The ball placement for a Penalty 5.a shall be not less than five yards from the wall.
Blue #1 carries the ball towards his goal. As Blue #1 shoots on goal, he is hooked by Red #2, leaving the ball five feet from the goal mouth. Red #3 following the Line of the Ball with the ball on his nearside, rides to clear the ball from goal with a nearside back shot. Blue #2, attempting to make a shot on goal, approaches the ball on his offside, but allows his mount to run over the top of the ball, prohibiting Red #3 from completing his back shot. The foul is on Blue #2. The Umpires award a Penalty 5.a against Blue and place the ball at the point of the infraction, but not less than five yards from the wall.
Alternative Rule 9: Penalty 2 or 3 from the spot
ALTERNATIVE RULE 9 – (Penalty 5 Option) (At the election of the Host Tournament Committee, to be communicated to the teams before the Event begins, this Alternative Rule may be used.)
If a team is fouled outside the 25 yard line of the goal it is attacking and the foul results in a Penalty 2 or a Penalty 3, the fouled team may elect to take the Penalty from the spot of the infraction (for a 2 point opportunity).
Blue #2 is fouled outside the 25 yard line with only one defender back. The Umpires award a Penalty 3. Blue chooses to take the penalty from the spot instead of a Penalty 3.
Penalty 6a: fouling team gets it wrong
In the event of a failure to correctly carry out the above Penalties 2, 3, 4 or 5 by the fouling team, another free hit shall be granted the hitter at the same place originally called for in the penalty awarded, if a goal has not been scored. However, if, in the opinion of the Umpire, the original free hit would have resulted in a goal, but was missed or blocked because of failure of the fouling team to correctly carry out the Penalty, Penalty No. 1 shall be awarded the team making the free hit.
Penalty 6b: fouled team gets a 2, 3 or 4 wrong
In the case of failure to correctly carry out Penalties 2, 3, or 4 by the team fouled, a free hit from the original spot of the foul shot shall be granted to the fouling team. Any goal scored as a result of the original free hit shall not be counted.
Penalty 6c: fouled team gets a 5 wrong
In the case of failure to correctly carry out Penalties 5.a or 5.b by the team fouled, a free hit from the original spot of the foul shot shall be granted to the fouling team. If the spot is closer to the goal the fouling team is attacking than the center of the arena, the free hit shall be taken from the center of the arena.
Penalty 6d: both teams get it wrong
In the case of a failure to correctly carry out Penalties 2, 3, 4 or 5 by both teams, another free hit shall be granted to the hitter from the same spot regardless of whether a goal was scored. Any goal scored as a result of the original free hit shall not be counted.
Penalty 7: disabled by a foul
If a player is disabled by a foul to the extent the Umpire permits or orders the player’s retirement from the game, the Captain of the team fouled may:
Have the option of providing a qualified substitute.
Designate the removal of a player from the fouling team whose handicap is nearest above that of the disabled player. If the disabled player’s handicap is equal to or higher than that of any player on the fouling team, any member of that team may be designated. In the event of a handicap game, there shall be no change in the handicap from as it was at the commencement of the game.
Penalty 8: player or horse disqualified
The player or mount shall be disqualified. If the disqualification is for illegal equipment other than horseshoes, the player or mount may return when the offending equipment is removed. (Note: the penalty for a violation of Rule 2.e is forfeiture.)
Penalty 9: forfeit
The game shall be forfeited. In the event both teams commit a rule violation in the same game invoking Penalty 9, both teams shall forfeit the game regardless of which violation occurred first.
EXECUTION OF PENALTIES:
Setting up the ball
On Penalties 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, one player may, with the Umpire’s permission, position the ball for the free hit.
One hit only on a 2, 3 or 4
The team fouled may hit or hit at the ball only once on Penalties 2, 3 and 4, and may not again affect the course of the ball until allowed to do so by the Penalty 2, 3 and 4 provisions above.
Defender waits for the rebound
On Penalties 2 and 3, no member of the fouling team may hit the ball until it rebounds off the end wall.
Missed, stopped or redirected
Should the ball be hit at and missed, come to a stop or its course be altered by the hitting team before it touches the wall or an opposing mount or player, the Umpire shall stop play and award the opposing team a free hit from the point where play was stopped, but not less than 5 yards from the wall.
Rebound inside or outside the 25
On a Penalty 2, 3, or 4, if the ball rebounds within or outside the 25 yard line, only the fouling team may play the ball, but it must do so immediately (within 5 seconds of the rebound), and no member of the fouled team shall affect that play.
A clean miss on a Penalty 5
In the event the hitter misses the ball completely, on a Penalty 5.a or 5.b, the ball remains in play and the Line of the Ball is defined in Rule 11.b.
What counts as a hit
Once the Umpire has called “PLAY” any touching of the ball with the mallet constitutes the ball being “hit”. A horse kicking the ball is not considered a hit at the ball unless the player has also hit or hit at the ball with the mallet.
Starting the hit: two approaches
On Penalties 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, play shall begin and the clock started when the Umpire calls “PLAY” and the ball is hit or hit at. The hitter must hit or hit at the ball on the first or second approach after the call of “PLAY” or a Penalty 6.b may be awarded.
No contact before the hit
On Penalties 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 there shall be no contact between any player and opponent until the ball is hit or hit at.
When a Penalty 2, 3 or 4 is awarded and the ball is hit at and missed by the fouled team, or it comes to a stop or its course is altered by that team before it touches the end wall or an opposing mount or player, the subsequent award of a free hit to the other team is not a penalty. If less than 5 seconds remains on the clock when that free hit is to be taken, the clock should not be reset.
If the penalty shot on a Penalty 2 or 3 hits the designated member of the fouling team or his or her horse directly off the hitter’s mallet, and the designated member is properly positioned (i.e., placed along the end wall no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge or the corner of the arena, if the corner is less than 10 yards from the edge of the goal), the rebounding ball will be treated as if it has rebounded off the wall as long as the designated member of the fouling team does not hit or hit at the ball or direct the course of the ball in violation of Rule 14.d when it hits him or her. If the penalty shot hits a designated member of the fouling team who is not properly positioned or hits a properly positioned designated member of the fouling team who hits or hits at the ball or directs the course of the ball in violation of Rule 14.d when it hits him or her, another free hit shall be granted the team fouled as called for in the original penalty.
Blue is awarded a Penalty 3, and Blue No. 1 sets up to take the penalty shot. Red No. 3 is Red’s designated defender. Red No. 3 is properly positioned because she is placed along the end wall to the right no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge. Blue No. 1 shanks the penalty shot wide to the right and the ball hits Red No. 3’s arm on the fly, rebounding back toward the 15-yard line. The ball never hits the end wall. Because Red No. 3 did not attempt to hit or hit at the ball or direct the course of the ball in violation of Rule 14.d when it hit her, the rebounding ball is treated as if it has rebounded off the wall. If the rebound is within 25 yards of the end wall, only the fouling team may play the ball, but it must do so immediately, and no member of the fouled team shall affect that play. Blue is awarded a Penalty 3, and Blue No. 1 sets up to take the penalty shot. Red No. 3 is Red’s designated defender. Red No. 3 is not properly positioned because she is closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge. Blue No. 1 shanks the penalty shot wide to the right and the ball hits Red No. 3 or her horse on the fly, rebounding back toward the 15-yard line. The Umpires should stop play and grant the team fouled a re-hit because Red No. 3 was not properly positioned. Blue is awarded a Penalty 3, and Blue No. 1 sets up to take the penalty shot. Red No. 3 is Red’s designated defender. Red No. 3 is properly positioned because she is placed along the end wall to the right no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge. Blue No. 1 shanks the penalty shot wide to the right and the ball lofts toward Red No. 3, who hits it forward out of the air before it hits the end wall. The Umpires should stop play and grant the team fouled a re-hit because Red No. 3 hit the ball before it rebounded from the end wall in violation of Arena Tournament Condition for Rule 9.b(2)(a). Blue is awarded a Penalty 3, and Blue No. 1 sets up to take the penalty shot. Red No. 3 is Red’s designated defender. Red No. 3 is properly positioned because she is placed along the end wall to the right no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge. Blue No. 1 shanks the penalty shot wide to the right and the ball lofts toward Red No. 3, who unsuccessfully hits at it out of the air before it hits the end wall. The Umpires should stop play and grant the team fouled a re-hit. (See Interpretation above.) Blue is awarded a Penalty 3, and Blue No. 1 sets up to take the penalty shot. Red No. 3 is Red’s designated defender. Red No. 3 is properly positioned because she is placed along the end wall to the right no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge. Blue No. 1 shanks the penalty shot wide to the right and the ball lofts toward Red No. 3, who knocks it out of the air with a “header” using her helmet. The Umpires should stop play and grant the team fouled a re-hit because Red No. 3 directed the course of the ball in violation of Rule 14.d. Blue is awarded a Penalty 3, and Blue No. 1 sets up to take the penalty shot. Red No. 3 is Red’s designated defender. Red No. 3 is properly positioned because she is placed along the end wall to the right no closer to the goal than 10 yards from its edge. Blue No. 1 shanks the penalty shot wide to the right and the ball hits Red No. 3’s horse on the fly, rebounding directly into the goal. The goal counts for Blue; bad luck for Red.
The hitter of the foul shot is considered to be approaching the ball when advancing forward toward the ball.
A Penalty 2 is awarded to the Red Team. As Red #1 approaches, his horse becomes skittish. Red #1 does not hit or hit at the ball, but his horse runs over the top of the ball kicking it several yards towards the goal. The Umpires shall stop play, place the ball on the 15-yard line, and allow the Red Team a second approach. A Penalty 2 is awarded to the Red Team. Red #1 does not hit or hit at the ball on his first approach. As Red #1 makes his second approach, his horse becomes skittish. Red #1 does not hit or hit at the ball, but his horse runs over the top of the ball kicking it several yards towards the goal. The Red Team has had its two approaches. The Umpires shall stop play and award the other team a Penalty 5.a.