Dead ball
The ball is dead the moment the whistle goes or the bell sounds, and the clock stops. Not the same as out of play.
A foul is any infringement of the rules. The rest of this rule defines the states of play that everything else hangs off. In play: from a throw-in, the instant the ball leaves the umpire's hand; from a free hit, the instant the striker hits it, or hits at it and misses. Out of play: a goal has been scored, or the ball has crossed the back line, the side line or the boards. A ball sitting on the li
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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.