Rule 8 · USPA Rulebook 2026
Umpires and referee
Who officiates a game, how long their authority lasts, and how disagreements between umpires are settled.
The officiating team
All Umpires and Referees shall be members of the USPA. Every game shall have two mounted Umpires and a Referee, or three mounted Umpires. (See, however, Optional Tournament Condition XI.) These Officials shall be charged with the responsibility of seeing that the game is conducted in accordance with the Rules. In these Rules and the accompanying Interpretations and Examples, the words “Umpire,” “Umpires” and “Umpire(s)” are used interchangeably, except where the context requires otherwise.
The officials: two mounted umpires and a referee (or three mounted umpires), a goal judge at each goal, and the timekeeper. The rules set no place for the referee or the timekeeper. - Two mounted umpires, or three without a referee
- A goal judge at each goal, with a flag
- Referee: place not set by the rules
- Timekeeper: place not set by the rules
When their authority runs
The authority of the Umpire(s) and/or Referee shall extend from 15 minutes before the time each game is scheduled to start until its end, and it shall include the ability to file a Conduct Violation Complaint in accordance with the Association’s Sport-Related Conduct Violation Procedures, Part I of the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Policy, against a player whose conduct is not in the best interest of the sport. For the purpose of this rule, the “end” of a game will occur approximately 15 minutes following the final whistle.
Questions 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 Umpires, who may consult with the Host Tournament Committee before reaching their decision.
The Umpires and Referee are the representatives of the Host Tournament Committee and the final authority during the course of the game. Any interference with the execution of their duties may result in a penalty or complaint of Conduct Violation. Decisions of the Umpire(s) on matters not covered by the Rules are final. However, decisions which deviate from the Rules may be protested in accordance with the Association’s Sport Protest Procedures, Part III of the Association’s Disciplinary Procedures Policy.
Team Blue arrives at the field and is unhappy about one of the Umpires. There is no recourse. Umpires are appointed by the Host Tournament Committee and the appointment may not be protested. If Blue feels a violation of Rule 2.e. may be involved, the Committee should be notified. Umpire A, in position following the play, sees Blue #4 drift back and forth in front of the ball carrier Red #1. Umpire A blows the whistle, looks to Umpire B, points toward the goal Red is attacking and holds up 4 fingers. Umpire B, knowing Umpire A had a good view of the play and seeing a zigzag foul himself acknowledges with a hand signal. Umpire A then announces the foul and penalty. Umpire A sees an infraction, calls the foul, and signals the direction and penalty to Umpire B. Umpire B was out of position and didn’t see the play. Umpire B has no basis for disagreement and Umpire A’s call should stand. Once Umpire A determines there is no disagreement from Umpire B, he should announce the foul and penalty. Umpire A sees an infraction and blows the whistle. Umpire B was in position, watched the play, and is certain that no foul occurred. Umpire B should ride quickly toward Umpire A and express his opinion that there was no foul. If they do not come to agreement, the Umpires may then look to the Referee to decide which Umpire’s opinion should prevail - foul or no foul. The Umpires call different fouls on the same play and ride quickly to the Referee. Each describes the call he made and answers any questions posed by the Referee. The Referee may uphold the opinion of either Umpire, or both, by calling offsetting fouls. The Referee sees Blue #3 and Red #1 roughing each other up as they follow the play and mounted Umpires. When play stops, the Referee may point this out to the Umpires who can then reposition themselves to see future infractions. The mounted Umpires disagree on a call and consult the Referee. The Referee may ask for an opinion from a Deputy Referee better positioned to see the play before making the final call. A Referee, or Deputy Referee, sees a mount fall or a player injured out of view of the Umpires. Because either would automatically stop play, the Referee may immediately advise the Umpire.
Final decisions and disagreements
Subject to Rule 11.a (“Protests”), all decisions of the Umpire, or agreed decisions of two Umpires, shall be final. In the event two 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. In the event three mounted Umpires are serving and no two agree, then no foul will be called.
Extra referees
If desired, one or more additional Referees may be positioned:
To provide testimony at the request of the Umpires.
To decide which Umpire’s opinion is to prevail.
To call offsetting penalties in the event two Umpires are serving and they disagree.
Umpires' dress
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 4.a.