Rule 11. Start of Play
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 11 · Common Terms, Winning, Goals on Handicap and Scoring Goals, Duration, Start of Play
In plain English
Both teams line up on the centre line, 20 yards off the boards.
- Five minutes before the advertised start the timekeeper rings the bell to call the teams and officials out.
- The umpires check that the captain is wearing the armband.
- The two teams then line up for a throw-in along the centre line, at least 20 yards off the boards or side line.
The clause that governs
The two teams shall line up for a throw-in (see Rule 6c) along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 11
5 questions on this rule
How should the two teams line up for a throw-in at the start of the game?
- Along the centre line but at least 10 yards from the boards/side-line
- Along the side-line but at least 20 yards from the centre line
- Along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line ✓
- At the goal posts
The two teams shall line up for a throw-in (see Rule 6c) along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line.
When does the timekeeper sound the bell to alert the teams and officials before the start of a polo match?
- Ten minutes before the advertised time
- Five minutes before the advertised time ✓
- Two minutes before the advertised time
- At the advertised time
The two teams shall line up for a throw-in (see Rule 6c) along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line.
What should the umpires check regarding the team captain before the start of a polo match?
- That the team captain is wearing the team jersey
- That the team captain has submitted the team roster
- That the team captain has attended the pre-match briefing
- That the team captain is wearing a captain’s armband ✓
The two teams shall line up for a throw-in (see Rule 6c) along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line.
How long before the advertised start of a match does the timekeeper sound the bell?
- 1 minute
- 3 minutes
- 5 minutes ✓
- 10 minutes
The two teams shall line up for a throw-in (see Rule 6c) along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line.
How far from the boards or side line must the teams line up for the opening throw-in?
- At least 10 yards
- At least 20 yards ✓
- At least 30 yards
- On the boards
The two teams shall line up for a throw-in (see Rule 6c) along the centre line but at least 20 yards from the boards/side-line.
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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.