Rule 36 · USPA Rulebook 2026
Penalty procedures and violations
How penalty shots must be taken, how players return from off the field, and what happens when either team gets the procedure wrong.
One stroke at goal
Penalties 2 (30 yards or from the spot), 3 (40 yards), 4 (60 yards) and 6 (safety) shall be taken in one stroke in an attempt to score. Consequently, the player taking the penalty may not make a preparatory dribble, for themselves or a team member. The ball shall be considered in play the moment it has been either hit or hit at and missed. The attempt to hit a ball is considered a hit ball, the action of a swing puts the ball into play. The player shall hit the ball, or hit at it, in the first attempt; he or she is not allowed to go past the ball without hitting or hitting at it, or circle his or her mount again rather than hit during the approach, nor take more than 20 seconds after the Umpire calls “Play” in preparation to hit. Violation of this rule shall be sanctioned with a Penalty 5.a.
Penalty 2 from the centre and undefended Penalty 3
For Penalties 2 (30 yards) and 3 (40 yards): For Penalty 2s taken from the center and for Penalty 3s, when the Host Tournament Committee has determined or the Tournament Conditions state that the Penalty 3 may not be defended, if the ball stops before the end of the field the Umpires shall blow the whistle and the defending team will be awarded a Penalty 5.a from the spot where the ball stopped.
Missed Penalty 4 or 6
For Penalties 4 (60 yards) and 6 (safety): If the ball is missed or mis-hit in a legitimate attempt to score in one hit, the hitter and/or other players from either team may attempt a safe play on the ball and all rules of Right of Way are in effect. If, in the umpire’s opinion, the initial attempt to hit the ball was deliberately missed, mis-hit, tapped or dribbled to improve the hitting team’s chance of scoring, a spot hit (5.a) will be awarded to the defending team.
On a Penalty 4, Blue #3 mis-hits the ball in what the Umpires judge is a legitimate attempt to score in one hit. The ball crosses the 15-yard line and Blue #3 follows it toward the goal at a gallop. Reaching the ball, Blue #3 hits a hard offside shot to drive the ball through the pack of players clustered in the goal-mouth. Foul on Blue #3 and possible yellow card – lack of consideration for safety.
Returning from off the field
(1) For Penalties 2, 3, 4, 5.a, 5.b and 6, A member of the fouling team who is off the field may return to his or her proper position before or after play is called, as long as that player returns unobtrusively by a route that is on the field and no closer than 30 yards from the spot where the ball is placed for the penalty shot. When the ball is hit or hit at, any such player who has not reached his or her proper position may not make a play until (1) he or she has passed a teammate who was properly positioned at the time “Play” was called for and the ball was hit or hit at or (2) the ball has traveled at least 30 yards from where it was placed when the Umpire called “Play” and he or she has passed midfield. A violation of this procedure will result in an increased penalty against the fouling team. (2) For a defended Penalty 3 and Penalties 4, 5.a, 5.b and 6, A member of the fouled team who is off the field may return to his or her proper position before or after play is called, as long as that player returns unobtrusively by a route that is on the field and no closer than 30 yards from the spot where the ball is placed for the penalty shot. When the ball is hit or hit at, any such player who has not reached his or her proper position may not make a play until (1) he or she has passed a teammate who was properly positioned at the time “Play” was called for and the ball was hit or hit at or (2) the ball has traveled at least 30 yards from where it was placed when the Umpire called “Play” and he or she has passed midfield. A violation of this procedure will result in an appropriate penalty.
This call is left up to the discretion of the Umpire(s). Any attempt to deliberately miss the ball to leave it for a teammate, mis-hit, tap or dribble a ball in order to improve the fouled team’s chances of scoring shall be considered a foul.
Procedural violations
Procedural Violations
If the fouling team fails to follow or violates procedure when a Penalty 2, 3, 4, 5.a, 5.b, or 6 is taken, an increased penalty shall be awarded to the team fouled when possible, except if a goal has been scored or awarded. In the case of a Penalty 2, the Umpire(s) may either award another Penalty 2 or they may, in their discretion, award a Penalty 1 if they deem it appropriate given the nature of the procedural violation.
Fouled Team Failure to Execute Proper Procedures: As with Penalties 2, 3, 4 and 6, the player taking a Penalty 5.a or a Penalty 5.b shall hit the ball, or hit at it, in the first attempt; he or she is not allowed to go past the ball without hitting or hitting at it, or circle his or her mount again rather than hit during the approach, nor take more than 20 seconds after the Umpire calls “Play” in preparation to hit. If the team fouled fails to carry out a Penalty 2, 3, 4, 5.b or 6 correctly, the opposing team shall be awarded a Penalty 5.a from the spot where the penalty was being taken. If the team fouled fails to carry out a Penalty 5.a correctly, the opposing team shall be awarded a Penalty 5.a from the spot where the penalty was being taken unless that spot is within the 60-yard line in front of the goal that team is defending, in which case the opposing team shall be awarded a Penalty 4.
When both teams simultaneously fail to follow or violate procedure for Penalties 2, 3, 4, 5.a, 5.b, or 6, another free hit shall be awarded to the team fouled from the same spot under the same conditions as before.
Players may not in any way alter the surface of the playing field to tee up the ball. Players may not dismount to tee up the ball. Once an Umpire calls “Play”, a ball may not be re-teed. In the event a player alters the surface of the field or dismounts to tee a ball, the Umpire shall blow the whistle and award a penalty.
Once the ball is placed to take a penalty and the Umpire calls “Play”, it may not be re-teed, and the player shall hit the ball as it is.
Yellow card on a Penalty 2
Yellow Card Issued to Fouling Team in Connection with or During the Execution of a Penalty 2. If the fouling team is issued a yellow card for a foul committed resulting in a Penalty 2 or during the execution of a Penalty 2, a Penalty 1 shall be awarded to the fouled team.
Misexecution of penalty shots and knock-ins
OUTDOOR RULES: MISEXECUTION OF PENALTY SHOTS, KNOCK-INS Situation Penalty 2 Penalty 3 Penalty 4 Penalty 6 (Safety) Penalty 5.a Penalty 5.b Knock-In Swing and miss Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Live Ball Live Ball Live Ball Live Ball Live Ball Ball hit or hit at before Umpire calls Play Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Less severe of Spot hit or Penalty 4 for defending team Spot hit for defending team Penalty 4 for defending team Ball not hit or hit at on first approach Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team Less severe of Spot hit or Penalty 4 for defending team Spot hit for defending team Penalty 4 for defending team Attacking team – improper position Spot hit for defending team Spot hit for defending team N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Defending team – improper position If goal scored or prevented by improper position it counts; otherwise rehit for attacking team If goal scored or prevented by improper position it counts; otherwise Penalty 2 for attacking team If goal scored or prevented by improper position it counts; otherwise Penalty 3 for attacking team If goal scored or prevented by improper position it counts; otherwise Penalty 3 for attacking team If goal scored or prevented by improper position it counts; otherwise next more severe penalty for attacking team If goal scored or prevented by improper position it counts; otherwise Penalty 4 for attacking team Penalty 5.b for attacking team