Game Rules

Horse Soccer Rules of Play

(As drafted and instituted by the Great Western PFHA & the Arizona Horse Soccer League)

1) Goals will consist of tall safety cones or plastic “barrel racing” drums which are placed approximately 20' apart and a minimum of 15' in from the ends of the arena. For safety purposes, THE GOALS MAY NOT BE FIXED IN PLACE! The goal opening width may be adjusted to accommodate the skill level of the players. (ie…wider for less skilled players and narrower for more skilled players).

2) A cutting horse size arena, (approx. 225' x 100'), is a good size for 6-8 players (2 teams) on the field. (If team sizes are larger, then the size of the playing field should be increased).

3) Each team will consist of a minimum of 3 players (1 goalie and 2 linesmen). Each team can have as many members as desired. The maximum number of players a team may have on the field during a match is 4; (1 goalie and 3 linesmen). During matches, both teams must have an equal number of players.

4) A referee/time keeper (mounted) will oversee each match. (Two referees may be utilized if desired). The referee(s) may be from another team which is not playing in the match game he/she is refereeing. A referee's decision is final unless formally appealed to the league officials. A referee’s call may be appealed for what is believed to be an incorrect interpretation of the game rules but WILL NOT be allowed in instances involving a “judgement call” by the referee(s).

5) Play begins at mid-field with the opposing teams’ linesmen facing each other. Upon a signal from the referee the players will attempt to gain control of the ball and play begins.

6) It is recommended that periods of play not exceed 15 minutes and should be followed with a minimum of 5-10 minutes rest for the horses before beginning the next period. The referee should have a stop watch or some sort of timing device which would allow the “game clock” to be stopped upon either team scoring a goal and the clock would not be restarted until play is resumed at mid-field.

7) When a team scores a goal, their linesmen must return to midfield and not challenge for the ball until the defending team has advanced the ball to mid-field. Once the ball reaches mid-field, play once again commences and the referee restarts the “game clock”.

8) If the ball goes behind the plain of the goal on a missed scoring opportunity, the offensive linesmen must retreat back to mid-field (or at a minimum be on their way back to mid-field) and either the defending goalie or the team’s linesmen are allowed to bring the ball back in to the playing area, UNOPPOSED, before players may begin challenging for control of the ball. (The game clock continues to run)

9) Goalie may not go any further out from the goal than mid-field. He/she is not allowed to be an offensive player. Only one player (goalie) at a time may tend goal by maintaining a position within the goal. Other players, (linesmen) may assist the goalie by blocking outside of the goal. If two players occupy the goal from the same team, a 30-second penalty is called against the offending linesman for that team.

10) Offensive linesmen may NOT block the goalie from defending the goal while in the “goalie’s box” in front of the goal. Two offensive linesmen may NOT occupy the defending “goalie’s box” at the same time. Any such violation will result in possession of the ball being awarded to the defending team at mid-field. (NO ROUGHING THE GOALIE ALLOWED!!) Flagrant violations will result in the offending player being suspended for the remainder of the match with no substitute riders/horses allowed.

11) Offensive linesmen, when attempting to score a goal, or after having successfully scored a goal, may NOT allow their horse to continue travel on into the mouth of the goal. Should even one hoof cross behind the line of the mouth of the goal, the point will not be allowed. (This falls under the “no roughing the goalie” rule above). The play will be treated the same as a “dead ball” call, and play will resume when the ball has been brought back on to the playing field by the defending team.

12) Horses, when dribbling the ball or coming in contact with the ball, must NOT be going any faster than a Largo (or “trot” for other breeds). Horses may walk, corto, largo, lope, trot or gallop while moving to other parts of the playing field, but no faster than a Largo or Trot while “dribbling” the ball, challenging for control of the ball, or in close contact with the ball.

13) Any horse that kicks at another horse will be given a warning for a first offense, and upon a second offense will be sent to the penalty area (behind their own goal) for a 60 second "time out". (This will give the non-offending team an advantage during the penalty period and will put the team with the penalized horse at a defensive disadvantage). Horses that exhibit habitual kicking will be suspended from match play until such time as the owner of the horse can demonstrate that the unsafe habit of kicking has been brought under control.

14) Horses are not allowed to bite at the opposing horses. The rider must make every effort keep their horse under control and discourage any attempts at biting. Repeated violations will result in a 30-second penalty (at the referee(s) discretion).

15) Riders may not kick or touch the ball with any part of their body, unless such contact is non-intentional. Intentional violations of this rule will be penalized with a 30 second "time out" in the appropriate penalty area.

16) Penalties are 30-60-90 seconds in penalty areas. Penalty areas are behind the plane of their OWN goal (dead ball area). The penalized rider may not assist their team during this time. If the ball travels into penalty area, the rider under penalty must attempt to move away from the other linesmen or goalie. This gives the non-offending team an advantage during the penalty period.

17) Horses/riders may be substituted under the following conditions:

A. After any goal being scored by either team.

B. At the beginning of any match period.

C. As a replacement for an injured horse/rider.

D. or, when a time out is called during a “dead ball” situation.

18) Liability waivers appropriate for the State and venue where the event is being held must be signed by ALL participants, including referees, volunteer workers, judges, announcers and photographers.

19) All youth riders 12 years of age and younger MUST wear approved helmets and MUST have a liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian before they may participate. The helmet MUST be worn at ALL times when riding or handling a horse on the venue grounds.

20) Should any rider fall off their horse or become injured in any way, ALL RIDERS MUST STOP THEIR HORSES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. Any spectator (or other person in attendance) that sees any sort of safety issue occurring during play may notify the referee(s) and ask for play to stop. This is a matter of horse and rider safety and should be monitored by all in attendance. Spectator involvement in these situations is requested.

21) Stallions will NOT be allowed to participate in soccer matches.

22) Use of whips, crops, split reins, or similar “motivating” devices will not be allowed during play.

23) The Arizona Horse Soccer League has a zero tolerance policy for any mistreatment of horses during a match or while participating at any Arizona Horse Soccer League event. Any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in player suspension and/or a team match forfeit.

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We have found that teams consisting of 3-4 players each, (one goalie & two-three fielders), to be an optimum number of participants for fun filled, action packed games. Too many players will tend to turn the match into a "Chinese fire drill" which is not entertaining to spectators. Too large a playing area for a small number of players fielded can also take away from game action and bore the spectators. You can have any number of players on a team, but increasing the size of the playing area should be considered when larger teams are fielded.

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Variations and additions to these rules may be considered, but the main objective is to always

BE SAFE & HAVE FUN!!

Our Disclaimer:

The rules as outlined above are rules which we have adopted for our league, and as such, we reserve the right to modify them when & if necessary.

Equestrian activities are inherently dangerous by nature and rules should always be implemented and enforced with the safety of the riders being paramount.

The use of helmets in any equestrian event is recommended, but use of, (except for youth ages 12 & under), is left to the discretion of the individual rider.

Now get out there and

“Let your horse have a ball!!”