Time stops after the contestant has thrown and turned the steer's head and all four feet are out in the same direction. The grace and beauty of true horsemanship along with athletic skills of both horse and rider are evident in calf roping. To win, horse and rider must work together with precision teamwork. The contest begins when the calf is released from a chute with rider and horse chasing behind. The tie must hold for six seconds after the rider has remounted his horse.
Team roping is a co-ed event.
The header's job is to rope the steer, either by his horns, around the neck, or half the head. The roper then must turn the steer away from his partner. When both the header and heeler face their horses toward the steer, time stops. If only one hind leg is caught, the team receives a five-second penalty. Women's breakaway roping is a modification and adaption of the men's calf roping.