NEWS

These revisions, which were first approved as a variance in May 2021, allow a player who is off the field during the execution of a defended penalty to 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 he or she has passed a teammate who was properly positioned at that time.

*Changes are designated with bold type*

RULE 36- PENALTY PROCEDURES AND VIOLATIONS

a. 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 ratherthan 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.

b. 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.

c. 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.

d. (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 he or she has passed a teammate who was properly positioned at that time. A violation of this procedure will result in an increased penalty against the fouling team. If all four players on the fouling team are not properly positioned when the ball is hit or hit at, no player on that team may make a play until play is interrupted and resumed. If any such player makes a play, a Penalty 2 shall be awarded to the other 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 positioned may not make a play until he or she has passed a teammate who was properly positioned at that time.

e. Procedural Violations (1) 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.

(2) 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 S.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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

36. PENALTY PROCEDURES AND VIOLATIONS ...EXAMPLE: 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.

36. PENALTY PROCEDURES AND VIOLATIONS d..INTERPRETATION: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.

RULE 37- SPECIFIC PENALTIES

PENALTY 1

If, in the opinion of the Umpire(s), a player commits a dangerous or deliberate foul inthe vicinity of the goal in order to save a goal, the team fouled shall be awarded one goal. The game shall be resumed with a Penalty 5.b awarded to the fouled team and a change in direction.

PENALTY 2

a. A penalty hit at the ball by the team fouled from the center of the 30-yard line nearest the fouling team's goal or, if preferred, from the spot where the foul occurred (the choice to be made by the team fouled). For a penalty hit from the 30-yard line, all of the fouling team shall be positioned behind their back line, outside of the goal, until the ball is hit or hit at. If the penalty is to be hit from the spot, none of the fouling team may be within 30 yards from the ball and must remain outside of the goal until the ball is hit or hit at. Once the ball is put into play, no player of the fouling team may enter the field.

b. If, in the opinion of the Umpire, when taking a Penalty 2, the penalty hit would have resulted in a goal, but is prevented by the fouling team entering the field improperly, the hit shall be considered a goal for the team fouled.

c. If, in the opinion of the Umpire, when taking a Penalty 2, the penalty hit is deflected by the fouling team or is hit wide by the hitter, and a defending player has entered the field improperly, the penalty shall be taken again.

PENALTY 3

(At the election of the Host Tournament Committee, to be communicated to the teams before the Event begins, the Penalty 3 may be defended in Events with an upper handicap limit of 8 goals and above, providing that all games in the event are officiated by two certified professional Umpires unless otherwise approved by USPA Umpires LLC.)

a. A penalty hit at the ball by the team fouled from the center of the 40-yard line nearest the fouling team's goal. All players of the team fouled are to be behind the 40-yard line unless they are off the field or returning to their proper position. All members of the fouling team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position shall be positioned behind the back line, outside of the goal, until the ball is hit or hit at. If the penalty is to be undefended, no member of the fouling team may enter the field from behind the back line, but if the penalty is to be defended, once the ball is put into play, any member of the fouling team may enter the field from behind the back line except between the goal posts. The team fouled may hit or hit at the ball only once and may not make another play on or affect the course of the ball if the penalty is to be undefended, or until it has been hit or hit at by a member of the opposing team or contacts a goal post, opposing player or mount if the penalty is to be defended.

b. If, in the opinion of the Umpire, when taking the Penalty 3, the hit would have resulted in a goal, but is prevented by the fouling team entering the field improperly, the hit shall be considered a goal for the team fouled.

c. If, in the opinion of the Umpire, when taking a Penalty 3, the penalty hit is deflected by the fouling team or hit wide by the hitter, and a defending player has entered the field improperly, the penalty shall be taken again.

PENALTY 4

a. A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from the center of the 60-yard line nearest the fouling team's goal. The fouled team is free to position themselves anywhere on or off the playing field. All members of the fouling team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position must be behind the 30-yard line until the Umpire calls "Play" and the ball is hit or hit at.

b. If, in the opinion of the Umpire, the hit would have resulted in a goal, but was prevented by the fouling team's failure to carry out the proper procedure, a goal shall be scored.

PENALTY 5

Hit from the Spot (Penalty 5.a) A penalty hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 5 yards from the boards or from the side lines. No member of the fouling team may be within 30 yards from the ball, and all members of the fouling team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position must be between the ball and the defended goal. The team fouled may position itself anywhere.

Hit from the Center of the Field (Penalty 5.b) A penalty hit from the center of the playing field. No member of the fouling team may be within 30 yards from the ball, and all members of the fouling team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position must be between the ball and the defended goal. The team fouled may position itself anywhere.

PENALTY 6 (Safety)

A penalty hit from a spot 60 yards from the end line opposite where the ball crossed the end line, but no more than 40 yards from the center of the 60-yard line. The fouled team is free to position themselves anywhere on or off the playing field. All members of the fouling team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position must be behind the 30-yard line until the Umpire calls "Play' and the ball is hit or hit at.

PENALTY 7

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 shall 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 time of infraction. In the alternative, the team fouled shall have the option of providing a qualified substitute.

36. SPECIFIC PENALTIES. PENALTY 7….INTERPRETATION: The awarding of a Penalty 7 is left solely to the discretion of the Umpires and should be awarded only when an injury is the result of a foul. The Umpire is directed to allow 15 minutes, as provided in Rule 21., for the fouled team to find a replacement for the injured player or to designate a player to be removed from the fouling team. The Penalty 7 must be exacted at the time the foul occurred and not after play has resumed. If the removal of a player is selected, teams shall continue to play three (3) on a side for the remainder of the game. The player removed from the game as a result of Penalty 7 will remain qualified as a substitute. However, the injured player may not return once the teams are reduced to 3 on a side.

36. SPECIFIC PENALTIES. PENALTY …EXAMPLES: Blue #3 is carrying the ball towards his goal, and Red #2 bumps Blue #3 at a severe angle, causing Blue #3's horse to stumble. As the horse regains his footing, Blue #3 loses his balance and falls from the horse, breaking his leg. The Umpires announce a Penalty 2 for dangerous riding and since the Blue player cannot continue, a Penalty 7 is awarded. The Blue Team informs the Umpires that a suitable replacement is not available and, therefore, designates a player to be removed from the Red Team.

Red #2 is hit in the face with Blue #3's mallet and a time out is requested. After several minutes, Red #2 tells the Umpires that his vision is blurred but that he will continue to play. After the game has resumed for several minutes, Red #2 announces that he cannot continue to play and asks the Umpires to exact a Penalty 7. Since play was resumed, Rule 21. (Injury to a Player) applies. The game will be stopped and the Red Team will have 15 minutes to find a replacement. Penalty 7 cannot be exacted after play has resumed from the initial injury.

PENALTY 8

The mount is ordered off the field by the Umpire and disqualified from being played again during the game. If a mount is ordered off the field for a violation of Rules 5, 6a or 6b, after curing the violation, the mount may be allowed to play provided the game is not delayed. (Note: the penalty for a violation of Rule 6a is forfeiture.)

PENALTY 9

The game shall be forfeited. In the event both teams commit a rule violation in the same game invoking Penalty No. 9, both teams shall forfeit the game, regardless of which violation occurred first.

PENALTY 10

The Umpire may exclude a player from the game in a manner that is consistent with Rule 33 in case of a deliberate, dangerous foul, or conduct prejudicial to the game.