DEAD BALL

1. When a ball is broken or trodden into the ground in such a manner as to be unserviceable, or when it strikes the Umpire or Umpire’s mount so as, in the Umpire’s opinion, to affect the flow of the play, the Umpire shall stop the game, take time out and throw the ball in towards the kneeboards between the players at the point where the event occurred but not closer than 15 yards from the goal.
   
   
2. If the ball becomes lodged against a player, mount, or equipment and cannot be dropped immediately, the ball shall be declared dead and thrown in at the point where it first became lodged, but not closer than 15 yards from the goal.
   
3. If the ball becomes involved in a melee such, that neither team can properly make a play, the Umpire may blow the dead ball and throw the ball in at a point where it was blown dead. The throw in shall not be closer than 15 yards from the goal.
   
   
4. If a player hits the ball over the side boards either directly or off his own pony, or after glancing off the side boards or netting, a free hit will be awarded 5 yards from the side boards where the ball went out of play against the team that hit the ball out. No player to be within 5 yards of the player making the hit, the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit. Should the hitter hit the ball directly against the boards or netting the hitter does not have a play until the ball has been hit or hit at. No hit to take place closer to the back boards than the 15 yard line.
   
5. If the ball is hit, in the opinion of the Umpire, over the back wall by an attacker, the defender will have a free hit 15 yards from the backline, opposite where it crossed the backline, but not less than 5 yards from the sideboards. No player shall be within 5 yards of the player making the hit.
   
   The ball must travel 5 yards forward. Both teams are governed by the same Rules as applied to Penalties 5 and 6. If a defender hits the ball over his back board either directly or off his own pony, or after glancing off the boards or netting, the attacking team will be awarded a Penalty 4. However, if the ball strikes any other player or pony, or the umpire, before going behind, it shall be a free hit 15 yards from the backline.
   
6. At any time the Umpire blows the whistle the ball is dead and no further play may be made by any player. Play is resumed by a free hit or a throw in, as specified elsewhere in these Rules.
   
   
7. If a foul is called and overruled, and no goal scored, play shall be resumed by a throw in at the point of the alleged infraction, but not closer than 15 yards from either goal.
   
   
8. If, after a goal has been scored the umpires blow a whistle for any reason for the ‘now’ defending side and prior to the ‘first play’ being executed by the ‘attacking side’ then play resumes with a 15 yard hit.
   The ball to be placed central to goal and play will be continuous as soon as the ball has been hit or hit at. All defenders to be 5 yards from the ball when it is hit or hit at.
   Should the umpires blow a whistle for any reason for the ‘attacking side’ and prior to the first play being executed then play will be restarted where the ball was prior to the whistle being blown, and play will be continous.
   All defenders to be 5 yards from the ball when it is hit or hit at.