Rule 35. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 35 · Precedence and Personal Fouls
In plain English
Behaviour that embarrasses the game.
- No player, team or team official may behave in a way that is inappropriate or risks bringing the game into disrepute. Any of it can bring a technical penalty, a yellow flag or a red flag on top of the penalty already given.
- Disrespect, vulgar or abusive language or gestures towards an official, player, coach or spectator - which includes carrying on appealing or arguing, by voice, gesture or stick. Excessive appealing by a player who is not even in the play counts as well.
- Seizing a player, their pony or their equipment by hand, using an arm to stop an opponent playing a shot or controlling their pony, or holding the stick so as to interfere.
- Striking another player or their pony with stick, whip, hand or fist.
- Causing delay that is unwarranted or that suits your own team, whether or not the ball is dead.
- Feigning injury, to yourself or a pony, to get play stopped.
- Refusing to play on, or leaving the field mid-chukka without permission - changing a pony or stick and a legitimate run off excepted.
- Hitting the ball intentionally or recklessly beyond the safety zone, or when it is dead, where it could hurt a spectator or official or damage property.
- Abuse of a pony: the whip when the ball is out of play, whip or spurs used unnecessarily or to excess, hauling or jabbing at the mouth, or playing a pony whose welfare is at risk.
The clause that governs
No player, team or member of a team's organisation may behave in a way which is inappropriate or risks bringing the game into disrepute.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 35
9 questions on this rule
Which of the following actions is considered as abuse of a pony?
- Using a whip when the ball is out of play ✓
- Changing ponies between chukkas
- Riding the pony at moderate speed
- Patting the pony as a sign of encouragement
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
What type of behaviour could be considered as unsportsmanlike conduct, regarding communication with officials, players, coaches, or spectators?
- Politely asking an official for clarification on a call
- Showing respect and shaking hands with the opponent after the game
- Offering positive encouragement to teammates
- Using vulgar or abusive language or gestures towards any official, player, coach, or spectator ✓
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
Which action is considered unsportsmanlike conduct concerning physical interaction with another player or their pony?
- High-fiving a teammate after a goal
- Patting an opponent's pony in a friendly manner
- Handing a dropped piece of equipment back to an opponent
- Seizing any part of another player or their pony or using an arm to prevent an opponent from playing a shot ✓
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
What could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct related to physical aggression?
- Giving a thumbs-up to an opponent for a good play
- Striking another player or their pony with a stick, whip, hand, or fist ✓
- Riding alongside another player without making contact
- Tapping one’s own pony gently to encourage it
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
What action related to the flow of the game could be considered as unsportsmanlike conduct?
- Requesting a legitimate substitution
- Taking a quick water break during an official timeout
- Unnecessarily causing delays advantageous to the player's own team before or during the game ✓
- Swiftly returning the ball to play after a foul
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
What type of deception is considered as unsportsmanlike conduct?
- Feigning injury to a pony or as a player to get play stopped ✓
- Performing a trick play that is within the rules of the game
- Pretending to pass the ball but then keeping possession
- Faking a shot direction to deceive the opponent
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
What is considered unsportsmanlike conduct regarding leaving the field?
- Leaving the field with the permission of the umpires to change a pony
- Briefly stepping off the field to retrieve a dropped piece of equipment
- Refusing to continue to play or leaving the field during a chukka without the permission of the umpires ✓
- Leaving the field after the final whistle
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
Which action concerning ball play is considered unsportsmanlike conduct?
- Passing the ball to a teammate
- Shooting the ball towards the goal
- Hitting the ball intentionally or recklessly beyond the safety zone or when it is out of play in a dangerous manner ✓
- Dribbling the ball down the field
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
Which action regarding treatment of a pony can be considered as unsportsmanlike conduct?
- Giving a pony a treat after a match
- Using a whip or spurs excessively, hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, or risking a pony’s welfare ✓
- Calmly guiding a pony towards the ball
- Patting a pony on the neck for encouragement during a match
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.
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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.