Team
roping is professional rodeo’s
only true team event. It
requires precise timing and
anticipation between the header
and heeler.
The header’s job is to rope the
steer around the horns, neck or
a horn-neck combination, then
turn the steer to the left so
that the heeler can ride in and
rope both of the steer’s hind
legs.
The clock starts when the ropers
leave their respective boxes,
and it stops when their ropes
are taught and their horses face
each other. A 5-second penalty
is assessed if the heeler
catches only one leg. The team
receives a 10-second penalty if
the header fails to give the
steer its allotted head start.
Team
roping is professional rodeo’s
only true team event. It
requires precise timing and
anticipation between the header
and heeler.