Arena Rule 12. Right of Way

In plain English

No nearside play that endangers someone who had the shot.

• You may not play the ball on your nearside if that endangers a player who could otherwise have made a legitimate play. In a confined arena that is where most flags come from.
• You may not cross a player with precedence unless the distance leaves not the slightest risk of collision or danger.
• Meeting: two players, one following and one meeting the ball, must each ride with the line on their offside until they have passed. A player who cannot get the line on their offside, and keep it there, without dangerous crossing of an oncoming opponent who already has it, has no play at all.
• Along the wall is the exception. With the ball less than five feet off the wall an offside play is impossible, so the player at the least angle and following the ball has precedence even playing it nearside. They may go at any speed, and anyone coming from behind must play nearside. They may not check suddenly into a following player, and must keep a reasonable pace. An opponent may ride off or hook, but not ride into the swing.
• A player with precedence who is defended must keep the ball moving; stop or drop to a walk and the umpire may whistle and throw the ball in. Hooked against the wall, you either keep the pace up or get out of the way.
• Positive play and the one tap rule: between the two 25 yard zones, a player at walking speed, a slow canter or a standstill may tap once and must then leave it, run with it or hit it away - and a team-mate left the ball must run or hit immediately. Inside the 25 yard zones an attacker may tap more than once, but only with real intent to attack the goal. Whether the play is positive or negative is the umpire's call, and negative play is blown.

...a player shall not be entitled to play the ball on their nearside if they endanger another player who would otherwise have been able to make or attempt to make a legitimate play.

Quoted extract · Green Book 2025, Rule 12

Read arena rule 12 in the Green Book 2025

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the ball is less than five foot from the wall and does not permit an offside play, who shall have precedence?

• The player who is closest to the wall
• The player who is both at the least angle to the Line of the Ball (LOB) and following the direction of the ball ✓
• The player with the highest handicap
• The player who was last in possession of the ball

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What must a player avoid doing while playing the ball along the side or end wall?

• Riding off an opponent
• Hooking the mallet of an opponent
• Checking suddenly to cause a following player to collide ✓
• Playing the ball on the near side

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What obligation does a player carrying the ball along the boards have?

• To maintain a reasonable pace ✓
• To pass the ball to a teammate
• To avoid riding off opponents
• To keep the ball close to the wall

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What actions may an opponent execute against a player carrying the ball along the boards?

• A ride off or a hook, as long as the opponent does not ride into the path of the swing ✓
• A foul
• A block
• An offside play

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What must a player with precedence do if they are defended by an opponent and in possession of the ball?

• They must continue to move the ball ✓
• They must pass the ball to a teammate
• They must slow down to a walking speed
• They must stop the game

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What may the Umpire do if a player with precedence and in possession of the ball stops or slows down to a walking speed?

• Award a penalty against the player
• Give a warning to the player
• Blow the whistle and throw the ball in ✓
• Hit from the spot to opposing team

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What must a player in possession of the ball do if they are alongside the arena wall and their stick is hooked?

• They must maintain the speed of the game or move immediately out of the right of way ✓
• They must pass the ball to a teammate
• They must stop the game and call for a foul
• They must change their stick

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

How should a player in possession of the ball act at all times?

• Play with a defensive mindset
• Play with positive intent ✓
• Play with an offensive mindset

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What must a player in possession of the ball do if they tap the ball once while moving at walking speed, a slow canter or stops between the two 25-yard zones?

• Leave the ball, accelerate to run with it, or hit it away ✓
• Continue to tap the ball without moving
• Slow down to a complete stop
• Pass the ball to another team player

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

Under what condition is tapping the ball more than once within the 25-yard zones permitted?

• To pass the ball to another team player
• To dribble the ball aimlessly
• To slow down the game
• To attack and shoot at the goal ✓

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

What will happen if a player is judged by the Umpire to be making a negative play?

• The player will be awarded a penalty
• The player will be given a warning
• The game will be paused and resumed with a throw-in
• The whistle shall be blown and a penalty awarded against the player ✓

When playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, i.e. less than five foot, a player who is both at the least angle to the LOB and following the direction of the ball shall have precedence even though playing the ball on the near side.

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