Backhand
A shot struck backwards. It reverses the line of the ball, which flips the right of way instantly.
A player in possession may carry on down the line and hit the ball on their offside, until somebody makes a legitimate play on them. Unexpected deflection: players on the line with possession keep the right to play the ball if they can still reach it without changing direction, and otherwise may carry on a short way down the original line. What they may not do is play it once someone else is estab
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Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.