NEWS

*Changes are designated with bold type*

Rule 21. HOW PLAY IS INTERRUPTED Play shall be continuous until play and the clock are stopped by the Umpire blowing the whistle in one of the following situations:
a. Ball Hit Across End Line (Safety).
If a player hits the ball across that player’s own end line, either directly or after glancing off that player’s own mount, a goal post or the side boards, the Umpire shall stop the game and call a Safety (Penalty 6) unless the ball strikes another player, an opposing player’s mallet, or another player’s mount before crossing that end line. A player is considered to have “hit” the ball if the ball merely touches the mallet. This is true even though the player may have been swinging in the opposite direction or not swinging at all.
b. Foul called.
(1) Any violation of the Rules constitutes a foul and the Umpire may stop the game by sounding the whistle.
(2) The Umpire may also elect not to stop play by calling a foul, or to briefly delay the stoppage of play for a foul, if the Umpire deems it to be in the best interest of the game.
(3) In the event of a foul being called when play is already stopped, such as a violation of Rule 30 or 33, the Umpire may so signal by: a) again sounding the whistle; or, b) waving a yellow or red flag, at the option of the Umpire.
c. Damaged, Buried Ball.
If the ball becomes damaged to the extent it is unplayable by being chipped, broken, or trodden into the ground the Umpire shall stop the game. What is a chipped, broken, buried, or unplayable ball shall be within the sole discretion of the Umpire. If the ball is minorly chipped or broken, the Umpire should not stop the game until it is in such a position that neither team is favored. In the case of a broken ball, the largest piece shall be played unless the Umpire stops the game.
d. Injury to Player.
If a player is injured, the Umpire shall stop the game, and the player shall have 15 minutes within which to recover, provided, however, that no player who has been rendered unconscious shall be allowed to resume play in any game that day. If, and when, during this interval the injured player is able to resume play or an eligible player is substituted, the Umpire shall continue the game. The game shall be continued not more than 15 minutes after it was stopped because of the injury unless the injured player’s treatment on the field requires additional time to remove the player from the field.
e. Player Falls Off.
If a player falls off, the Umpire shall stop the game when the ball is in neutral territory (i.e., as soon as neither team will be deprived of an imminent opportunity to score a goal). If, however, the player, in the opinion of the Umpire, may be injured, or in jeopardy of being injured, the Umpire shall stop the game immediately. What constitutes a fall shall be left to the discretion of the Umpire.
f. Fallen or Injured Mount.
(1) If a mount falls or is injured, the Umpire shall stop the game immediately. (2) A player whose mount has fallen may change to another mount within 5 minutes. The fallen mount may be returned to the game.
(3) A player whose mount has been injured shall change to another mount within 5 minutes. A mount removed due to injury may not return to the game. (4) The game shall be resumed immediately if no change of mount is made. (5) Except as provided in this rule and in the enforcement of Rule 5, a player should never be allowed time out for the purpose of changing mounts.
g. Broken Tack or Equipment.
(1) The game shall be stopped immediately for any broken or loose equipment which results in loss of control of the mount or danger to player or mount.
(2) The game may be stopped, at the request of any player, for broken or loose equipment of a non-critical nature when the ball is out of play.
(3) Play shall not be stopped for a lost or broken mallet.
(4) Whenever play is stopped for repair or replacement of equipment, the affected player may be allowed a maximum of five (5) minutes for the repair. With the permission of the Umpire(s), the affected player may be permitted to change mounts rather than to make the repair.
h. Lost Helmet.
If a helmet falls off, the play shall be stopped as soon as possible when the play is in a neutral position.
i. Lodged Ball.
If the ball becomes lodged against a player, a mount or equipment, in such a way that it cannot be dropped immediately, the Umpire shall stop the game and the ball shall be considered dead at the point where it was first lodged.
j. Period Ends.
The Umpire shall stop the game at the end of each period.
k. Suspension of Game.
The Umpire may suspend the game in the event of darkness, inclement weather, or any other reason which the Umpire(s), Referee and Host Tournament Committee believe to be in the best interest of the game.
l. Inadvertent Whistle.
In the event of an inadvertent whistle stopping play there shall be a throw-in toward the boards or sideline at the point at which play was stopped.

HOW PLAY IS INTERRUPTED...INTERPRETATIONS: The game is stopped only by the Umpire’s whistle. Because the Umpire is responsible for the safe conduct of the game according to the Rules, the Umpire has a great deal of discretion as to whether or when to stop play.

Fouls involving safety of player or mount should be called at the instant they occur. The Umpire should not elect to delay the call of dangerous fouls. An infraction involving mechanics or “advantage” may be a non-call, or delayed call, at the Umpire’s discretion. A delayed whistle grants the fouled team the next play at the ball.

When a foul occurs at or slightly after the horn ending any regulation periodbut the final regulation period, the penalty should be executed at the beginning of the next period. When a foul occurs at or slightly after the horn ending the final regulation period, five seconds should be put on the clock and the penalty executed.

A “technical” foul occurring between periods shall be executed at the beginning of the next period.