Rule 19. Buried or Damaged Ball
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 19 · Interruptions and Restarts After Break in Play
In plain English
Buried ball: whistle, throw-in. Damaged ball: just swapped.
- A ball buried or trodden in so that nobody can move it: whistle, then a throw-in.
- A damaged ball is simply replaced, and the game restarts with whichever of a fair play dropped ball or a throw-in fits.
- If a player got the larger part of the ball through the goal before the whistle, the goal is given.
The clause that governs
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 19
6 questions on this rule
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that players are unable to move it, how is the game restarted?
- With a free hit
- With a penalty shootout
- With a corner hit
- With a throw-in ✓
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
What action is taken by the umpire if the ball is damaged during a game?
- The umpire continues the game with the damaged ball
- The umpire stops the game when the play is neutral and replaces the ball ✓
- The umpire awards a free hit to the team in possession
- The game is paused until the ball is repaired
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
What happens if a player manages to hit the larger part of a damaged ball through the goal before the whistle is blown to stop the game?
- The goal is not counted and the ball is replaced
- The team is given a penalty shot instead
- A goal is awarded ✓
- Play resumes from the centre of the field without awarding a goal
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
What should happen if the ball is damaged during the game?
- The game continues with the damaged ball
- The umpire stops the game when the play is neutral and replaces the ball ✓
- The game is paused for 10 minutes to get a new ball
- The team that was in possession gets a free hit
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
The ball is trodden in so nobody can move it. How does play restart?
- A fair play dropped ball
- A throw-in ✓
- A Penalty 5a
- A hit-in
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
A player hits the larger part of a damaged ball through the goal before the whistle. What happens?
- No goal, the ball was damaged
- The goal is awarded ✓
- The umpires consult the referee
- It is retaken with a new ball
If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in.
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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.