What is the consequence of a cross fire penalty in team roping?

In team roping, a cross fire penalty occurs when the heeler catches the steer before the header has properly roped the steer, violating the established order of the roping process. When this penalty is applied, the run is disqualified because the team has not adhered to the rules that dictate the sequence of events. This means that no time will be recorded for that run, and it effectively nullifies the team’s efforts for that particular attempt. Understanding the rules of team roping is essential, as they are designed to maintain order and fairness in competition, making it clear that both riders must fulfill their roles in the proper sequence for a successful and valid run.