Rule 26. Crossing

In plain English

Do not cut across the player with precedence.

• You may not cross a player who has precedence.
• The only crossing that is legal is one taken at a distance where there is not the slightest risk of collision or danger to anybody. That is the whole test, and it is a test about risk rather than contact: cross close enough that a collision was possible and it is a foul even though nothing touched.

The published wording of this one runs to a couple of sentences, so rather than reprint it: read rule 26 in the Blue Book 2026.

What is the rule regarding crossing another player who has precedence?

• A player can cross another player with precedence at any time
• A player can cross another player with precedence only if there is no risk of collision or danger to any player ✓
• A player cannot cross another player with precedence under any circumstances
• A player can only cross another player with precedence if they are at least 10 yards apart

What is the test for whether crossing a player with precedence is legal?

• It is legal if no contact actually occurs
• It is legal only at a distance where there is not the slightest risk of collision or danger ✓
• It is legal if the crossing player reaches the ball first
• It is legal if the crossing player is travelling faster

Does a crossing foul require contact between the players?

• Yes, there must be contact
• No, the risk of a collision is enough ✓

A player crosses well ahead of the man with the line, at a distance where a collision was never possible. What is the call?

• A foul, because crossing is never permitted
• No foul, because the distance removed any risk ✓
• A foul, unless the crossing player had possession
• No foul, but only if the umpire was level with the play

Test yourself

Practise crossing and the rest of the HPA rules, offline, on your phone.