Arena Rule 10. Calling of Fouls by the Umpires

In plain English

Umpire blows and announces the foul.

• The umpire whistles and announces the foul to the players.
• If both sides foul at about the same moment, no foul is given at all - the ball is simply thrown in where play stopped.
• Technical fouls are the unsportsmanlike ones: disrespect towards officials, arguing, foul or abusive language, appealing by voice or stick, and any outburst designed to influence players or umpires. Only the captain may ask for clarification.
• No striking any pony - your own, a team-mate's or an opponent's - with hand, whip or stick. No seizing, striking or pushing an opponent with head, hand, arm or elbow, though you may push with the shoulder with the elbow in.
• You may not dismount while the ball is in play.
• Yellow flags need both umpires to agree, and bring at least a 15 yard penalty. Three in a match, or two on one play, means the sin bin; a double yellow gives the opposition an automatic goal and an undefended 25 for one point. Flags clear when the player returns, and one can still be given up to 15 minutes after the game, carried into the next match at that level.
• A red flag sends a player off for the rest of the match, for a first offence if it is bad enough. They may be replaced after a minute of playing time by a qualified player of the same handicap or less, or by a double substitution, and are automatically suspended for the next match of the tournament.

If both teams commit a foul at approximately the same time, the ball should be thrown in at the point where play was stopped.

Quoted extract · Green Book 2025, Rule 10

Read arena rule 10 in the Green Book 2025

What should the Umpire do with the ball after the foul is announced?

• Give it to the player taking the hit
• Hold onto it until the hit is taken
• Drop it at the designated spot ✓
• Throw it in the air

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

Who has the right to askthe umpire for clarification on a decision?

• Anyone
• Supporters
• Captain ✓
• None of these

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

What happens if a player accumulates three Yellow Flags in a match or two Yellow Flags on the same play?

• The player is awarded a Penalty 7
• The player is sent to the Sin Bin ✓
• The player is immediately removed from the match
• The player is given a warning

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

When are Yellow Flags removed from a player's record?

• After the end of the match
• When they return to the game from the sin bin ✓
• After a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game
• After the next game at the same level

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

Can a Yellow Flag be awarded after the game has ended?

• No, Yellow Flags can only be awarded during a game
• Yes, for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game ✓
• Yes, but only if a Technical Foul was committed during the last play of the game
• The rules does not provide information on this

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

What is the consequence if a player is sent to the Sin Bin for a third time in a match?

• The player is given a warning
• The Umpire will award a Penalty 7 ✓
• The player is removed from the match
• The player is given a final Yellow Flag

Any player given a red flag will automatically be suspended for the next match of the tournament and the suspension may be increased by a Disciplinary Hearing.

What happens to a Yellow Flag awarded within 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game?

• It is disregarded
• It is carried forward to the next game at the same level ✓
• It is recorded but does not impact the next game
• The player is immediately sent to the Sin Bin in the next game

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

What are the consequences of a player being given a Red Flag?

• The player is sent off for the rest of the match
• The player is automatically suspended for the next match of the tournament
• The player is penalized with a foul
• Both A and B ✓

Any player given a red flag will automatically be suspended for the next match of the tournament and the suspension may be increased by a Disciplinary Hearing.

Can a player who has been sent off due to a Red Flag be substituted?

• Yes, but only by a qualified player of the same handicap or less after 1 minute of playing time ✓
• No, the player cannot be substituted
• Yes, but only by a player of higher handicap
• Yes, the player can be substituted immediately by any other player

Any player given a red flag will automatically be suspended for the next match of the tournament and the suspension may be increased by a Disciplinary Hearing.

What can a team do if no qualified substitute is available?

• They can request a timeout
• They may choose to make a double substitution ✓
• They may request to continue the game with fewer players
• The game is halted until a substitute arrives

A Yellow Flag may still be awarded for a period of 15 minutes subsequent to the end of the game. This Yellow Flag will be carried forward to the next game at the same level.

What will happen if a player is given a Red Flag during the last match of the tournament?

• The player will be fined
• The suspension will apply to another match or matches of equivalent standing ✓
• The player will be disqualified from future tournaments
• The player will be given a warning

Any player given a red flag will automatically be suspended for the next match of the tournament and the suspension may be increased by a Disciplinary Hearing.

Can the suspension resulting from a Red Flag be increased?

• Yes, by a Disciplinary Hearing ✓
• No, the suspension is fixed
• The duration of the suspension depends on the severity of the offence
• The rules do not provide information on this

Any player given a red flag will automatically be suspended for the next match of the tournament and the suspension may be increased by a Disciplinary Hearing.

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