Rule 19 · USPA Rulebook 2026
Goals by penalty and by handicap
How team handicaps are added up and turned into goals given before the start, and how half goals work.
They count
Goals awarded under penalties and by handicap shall count as goals scored.
Team handicap
The team handicap is determined by totaling the individual handicaps (as assigned by the USPA) of the team members. In events with an upper handicap limit above 6 goals, individual handicaps of -0.5 goals, 0.5 goals, or 1.5 goals shall be rounded down to -1 goal, 0 goals or 1 goal respectively when calculating the team handicap.
Goals by handicap
The number of goals awarded by handicap is determined by taking the difference between the team handicaps on one team and the team handicaps of the other team and multiplying one-sixth of that difference times the number of periods (excluding overtime periods) in the game in question.
Handicap or flat
Unless otherwise stated in the USPA Tournament Conditions whether or not a game shall be played on a handicap basis or on the flat shall be determined by the Host Tournament Committee before the event.
Half goals
In the event of a game played on a handicap basis, any handicap fraction shall be recorded as one-half goal. The one-half goal shall be used as a tie breaker and included in any net or gross goal calculations.
Team Red enters an 8-goal event with players handicapped 5, 3, .5 and B -1. The team handicap is 7 because the .5 is rounded to 0. The team will receive one goal against an 8-goal opponent. Team Blue enters an 8-goal event with players handicapped 5, 2, 0 and 1.5. The 1.5 is rounded down to 1 in events over 6 goals, so Team Blue is eligible at 8 goals. In a 6-goal, 6-period game, Red has a 2, 3, .5 and .5 for a total of 6. Blue has 3, 2, -1 and 1.5 for a total of 5.5. White has 2, 2, 1.5 and -1 for a total of 4.5. Red will give ½ and lose a tied game to Blue. Red will give 1-1/2 goals to White. Blue will give 1 goal to White.