Umpiring at the UKPA

Umpires are central to fair, safe and enjoyable polocrosse. Every UKPA tournament and league match relies on trained umpires who understand the rules, manage the pace of play, and protect both players and horses on the field.

The UKPA is responsible for the training, grading, and ongoing development of umpires across the country. We work to ensure that every match — from local club friendlies through to national tournaments — is officiated to a consistent standard.

The role of the umpire

A polocrosse umpire is responsible for:

• Applying the rules of the game fairly and consistently throughout the match
• Controlling the pace and conduct of play, including timing chukkas
• Watching for dangerous play and intervening before incidents escalate
• Monitoring horse welfare on the field and stopping play where needed
• Communicating clearly with players, captains, and the field referee
• Recording match outcomes and reporting incidents through the proper channels

Umpires must be confident in the saddle, know the rule book inside-out, and remain calm and authoritative under pressure. It is a demanding role — but for many, also one of the most rewarding ways to stay involved in the sport beyond playing.

Becoming an umpire

The UKPA welcomes new umpires at every level. Most umpires begin by umpiring at their own club, often supported by a more experienced umpire, before progressing to regional and national appointments.

The pathway typically looks like this:

1. Club-level umpiring. Begin by umpiring practice matches and club tournaments. Your club umpire or chair will help you find opportunities and offer feedback.
2. Attend a UKPA umpire course. Courses are run periodically through the year and cover the current rules, signals, positioning, and field management. Dates are announced through clubs and on the UKPA website.
3. Apprentice at tournaments. Newly trained umpires shadow and umpire alongside graded officials at UKPA-sanctioned events.
4. Apply for a grading. Once you have sufficient match experience, you may be put forward for a UKPA umpire grading.

If you are interested in starting on this pathway, please speak to your club secretary or contact the UKPA Chief Umpire.

Umpire grading

UKPA umpires are graded so that tournament organisers can appoint officials of the right experience to the right level of match. Grading is awarded by the UKPA Gradings Officer in consultation with the Chief Umpire and is based on observed performance over multiple matches, knowledge of the rules, and consistency of decision-making.

Higher gradings carry both privilege and responsibility — graded umpires are expected to mentor newer umpires, support tournament organisers, and contribute to the ongoing development of the umpiring community.

A list of currently graded UKPA umpires is maintained centrally and is available on request.

Rules and reference materials

The current Rules of the Game and umpire signals reference are published by the UKPA and updated as the sport evolves. All umpires — regardless of grade — are expected to be familiar with the latest published version.

If you spot an inconsistency, ambiguity, or rule that needs clarification, please raise it through your club or directly with the Chief Umpire.

For Members, you can view the umpiring training below:

Reporting incidents

Where an on-field incident requires a written report (dangerous play, serious injury, abuse of an official, or any matter that may lead to disciplinary action), the umpire is responsible for completing the appropriate UKPA incident form and submitting it to the relevant officer within seven days of the match.

Incident reports are taken seriously, treated confidentially, and reviewed by the UKPA Disciplinary Committee.

Penalties in Polocrosse

There are 7 levels of penalties that increase in severity. These are:

Penalty 1

A free throw to the non-offending side from the spot at which the infringement took place or the spot nominated by the umpire.

1. All penalty throws may be thrown in any direction.
2. The player may throw from a stationary position or moving, provided the throw is executed from the spot nominated by the umpire.
3. The player may not execute the free throw until directed to do so by the umpire. The throw must be taken within a reasonable time.
4. If the throw does not travel 10 metres the umpire throws the ball into play from the nearest side line or back line.
5. The ball must be thrown at least 10 metres and other players may not be closer than 10 metres from the penalty spot. This free throw, if not accepted as a pass, must hit the ground before the thrower can touch the ball.
6. No player shall attempt to touch the ball or interfere with the player taking the throw until that player and ball have travelled 10 metres.
7. If a player deliberately throws the ball at another player when executing a penalty, the umpire will throw the ball in from the nearest sideline.

Penalty 2

A free throw, taken within Centre Field, from a central spot on the Penalty Line in a forward direction.

1. The No. 3 may defend his/her goal but must not be within 10 metres from the spot where the throw is taken.
2. Clauses (2), (3), (4), (5) (6) and (7) of Penalty 1 apply.

Penalty 3

A free throw at goal from a central spot outside the 10-metre line.

1. The ball must be thrown at goal.
2. The number 3 player may defend the goal from a stationery position and remains stationery but cannot stand closer than 8 meters to the spot from where the throw is taken. Should the goal throw fail, the number 3 has the line of the ball.

Penalty 4

If in the opinion of the umpire a player commits a dangerous foul, the side fouled shall be allowed one goal. The game shall be recommenced by the umpire throwing the ball into play in the centre of the field.

Penalty 5

The horse ordered off the field by the umpire and disqualified from being played again during the match. A substitute may be played by the affected player only.

Penalty 6

The umpire may exclude a player from the game for part of the match in addition to any other penalty, in the case of a deliberate dangerous foul, persistent fouling after being warned, or conduct prejudicial to the game. A substitute player may not be played. In the event of a player being sent off, the captain of that team has the right to re-organise the section affected to the best advantage. The sidelined player shall not re-enter the playing field until such time as indicated by the umpire. The sidelined player must come onto the field into the vacant position. A player cannot be sidelined for more than a maximum of three minutes playing time in any one period. The umpire at the tournament shall prepare a written report within 24 hours and it shall be forwarded to the national association to whom the player is registered and to the International Polocrosse Council within sixty (60) days of such incident occurring.

Penalty 7

The umpire may exclude a player from the game for part or the whole of the match, in addition to any other penalty, in the case of a deliberate dangerous foul, persistent fouling after being warned, or conduct prejudicial to the game. After a period of three minutes a substitute player may be played. In the event of a player being sent off, the captain of that team has the right to re-organise the section affected to the best advantage with the use of the reserve player. In all instances, the player sent off shall be the subject of a written report by both umpires and the referee to be prepared within 24 hours and to be forwarded to the national association to whom the player is registered and to the International Polocrosse Council within sixty (60) days of such incident occurring.

Contact

For umpire training, grading queries, or to report a concern about umpiring at a UKPA event, please contact the UKPA Chief Umpire via the UKPA Member Portal or your club secretary.