Rule 42. Penalty 5a - Spot
Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 42 · Penalties
In plain English
Penalty 5a: free hit from where the foul happened.
- A free hit from the spot where the ball lay when the foul happened, but never closer than 4 yards to the boards or side lines.
- The hitting side may position itself however it likes.
- The defence must be behind an imaginary line parallel to the back line, 30 yards from the ball.
The clause that governs
A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or side lines.
Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 42
5 questions on this rule
Penalty 4: Where can the team taking the hit place themselves?
- They must be positioned behind the ball
- They are free to place themselves where they choose ✓
- They must be positioned at least two pony-lengths away from the ball
- They must be positioned at the goal posts
A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or side lines.
In Penalty 5a, what is the minimum distance the free hit must be taken from the boards or sidelines?
- 2 yards
- 4 yards ✓
- 6 yards
- 8 yards
A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or side lines.
Penalty 5a: Where can the team taking the hit position themselves?
- They must stand behind an imaginary line parallel to the back line
- They must position themselves within 30 yards of the ball
- They are free to position themselves where they choose ✓
- They must position themselves behind the back line
A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or side lines.
Where should the team facing the hit be positioned?
- They should be behind an imaginary line parallel to the back line 30 yards from the ball ✓
- They should be positioned behind the back line
- They should be positioned within 30 yards of the ball
- They are free to position themselves where they choose
A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or side lines.
Penalty 6: How can the team taking the hit position themselves during a play?
- They must stand behind the 30 yard line
- They are restricted to the 40 yard line
- They are free to position themselves where they choose ✓
- They must stay within a 30 yard radius of the ball
A Penalty 5a shall be a free hit from the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred, but at least 4 yards from the boards or side lines.
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.