Rule 32. Impeding the Primary
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 32 · Precedence and Personal Fouls
In plain English
After a restart, do not block the man going for the hitter.
- After a break in play, nobody on the side taking the hit may ride off or impede the primary opponent going for the hitter. That opponent identifies themselves to the umpires by raising their stick before play is called.
- If the hitter leaves the ball for a team-mate behind, they in turn may not ride off or impede anyone in that phase of play.
- At any other time: when an unchallenged player in possession stops or drops to a slow canter or a walk, none of their team-mates may ride off, impede or block an opponent within two horse lengths from playing the ball or the player. Inside the possessing team's 60 that is a Penalty 4.
- If the foul is blown and then not upheld, the side that had the ball gets a fair play dropped ball.
- Challenged means paired up with an opponent, being ridden off, or having someone go for the ball or the stick.
The clause that governs
When play is resumed with a hit after a break in play, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride off or impede the primary opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 32
5 questions on this rule
When play resumes with a hit after a break, is a team member allowed to block an opponent trying to make a play on the hitter?
- Yes, this is allowed as a defensive strategy
- No, it is not permitted ✓
- Only if the hitter passes the ball
- Only if the opponent is more than 10 feet away from the hitter
When play is resumed with a hit after a break in play, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride off or impede the primary opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter.
After a break in play, how must the primary opponent make themselves identifiable to the umpires?
- By calling out to the umpire
- By raising their stick before play is called ✓
- By standing on the line of the ball
- By removing their armband
When play is resumed with a hit after a break in play, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride off or impede the primary opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter.
When play restarts with a hit, may a member of the hitting team ride off the primary opponent?
- Yes, once the ball has been struck
- No, it is not permitted ✓
When play is resumed with a hit after a break in play, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride off or impede the primary opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter.
A player takes a hit and leaves the ball for a team-mate following. What may they then not do?
- Hit the ball again in that phase of play
- Ride off or impede an opponent in that phase of play ✓
- Cross the line of the ball at any distance
- Speak to the umpire
When play is resumed with a hit after a break in play, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride off or impede the primary opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter.
An unchallenged player in possession slows to a walk. What may their team-mates not do?
- Ride ahead of them
- Ride off, impede or block an opponent within two horse lengths of them ✓
- Call for the ball
- Change direction
When play is resumed with a hit after a break in play, it is not permitted for any member of the team taking the hit to ride off or impede the primary opponent attempting to make a play on the hitter.
Test yourself
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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.