Rule 6. Common Terms and Rules

In plain English

The glossary: foul, ball in play, out of play, dead, neutral.

• A foul is any infringement of the rules. The rest of this rule defines the states of play that everything else hangs off.
• In play: from a throw-in, the instant the ball leaves the umpire's hand; from a free hit, the instant the striker hits it, or hits at it and misses.
• Out of play: a goal has been scored, or the ball has crossed the back line, the side line or the boards. A ball sitting on the line is still in. No whistle goes and the clock keeps running.
• Dead: the whistle, or the bell that ends the chukka. Only then does the clock stop. A break in play is either state, dead or out of play, and play is neutral when neither side holds an advantage.
• At a throw-in the teams line up on their own side of an imaginary line at least two feet apart, nobody within five yards of the umpire, stationary and not touching an opponent until the ball has left the hand.
• Offside only exists coming back on after a break. A defender re-enters behind their own side; while the opposition takes a penalty they must come back down the safety zone, close to the boards, at no more than a steady canter.
• Behind the ball means the striker's side of a line drawn through the ball parallel to the back line.
• The fair play dropped ball restarts the game where it stopped when the umpires killed a genuine advantage, called a foul they then withdrew, or changed the play themselves. The striker gets five seconds and may not replace the ball. Inside the 60 in the attacking team's favour, the umpires may award the matching penalty instead.

The ball is 'dead' when the umpire blows their whistle or on the sound of the bell to end the chukka. The clock is stopped.

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 6

Read rule 6 in the Blue Book 2026

What is a foul in polo?

• An aggressive play by a player
• Any infringement of the rules ✓
• A specific type of illegal manoeuvre
• When a player argues with the umpire.When a player argues with the umpire

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

When is the ball considered ‘in play’ for a throw-in?

• The moment it has left the umpire’s hand ✓
• When a player from either team touches it
• As soon as the umpire signals the start of the play
• When it crosses the midfield line

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

When is the ball considered ‘out of play’?

• When it is on the line
• When a flag is waved by the goal judge
• If a goal has been scored or if it has gone over the back or side-line or board ✓
• When a player takes too long to make a play

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

When is the ball considered ‘dead’?

• When the umpire blows his whistle or on the sound of the bell to end the chukka ✓
• When it hasn't been touched for 10 seconds
• When it goes out of the playing field
• When a foul is called

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

What does ‘neutral’ state mean in polo?

• When the ball is in the centre of the field
• When both teams agree to a temporary pause
• When the ball is not moving
• When neither side has an advantage or is favoured ✓

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

What is the minimum distance that players should maintain from the umpire during a throw-in?

• 2 feet
• 3 feet
• 5 yards ✓
• 10 yards

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

During a throw-in, what is the requirement regarding the players' movement and contact with opposing players until the ball has left the umpire’s hand?

• Players must remain completely stationary and must not make any contact with opposing players ✓
• Players are allowed to make contact with opposing players, but must not move from their positions
• Players may walk or trot to the lineup to create momentum provided it is well timed with the action of the umpires throw

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

When can a player be considered offside in polo?

• If he enters the field of play from behind his own team after a break in play
• If he enters the field of play beyond his own 60-yard line
• If he enters the field of play in front of his own team without passing behind a player of his own team who was onside at the restart of play ✓
• If he scores a goal

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

What must the player do if he enters the pitch in an offside position?

• Wait until he has passed behind a player of his own team who was onside at the restart of play ✓
• Leave the pitch and wait until the next break in play

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

What happens if there is a hit in or no other member of the team is onside?

• A player shall be onside if he enters the field of play beyond his own 60 yard line ✓
• Penalty 3
• The player must wait until the next break in play

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

What does 'behind the ball' refer to in polo?

• The side of the ball opposite to where the opposing team is
• The position of a player when he is not actively engaging in the play
• The area directly behind the goalpost
• The part of the field behind where the ball has been placed, parallel to the backline ✓

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

In what situation is a ‘Fair Play Dropped Ball’ used to restart play?

• When a foul has been committed by the opposing team
• When no foul has been called and the umpires have had to stop the game before play is neutral with one team in possession of the ball and clear of any opposing player ✓
• When the ball goes out of play
• When a player gets injured

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

If the ball is dropped within the 60-yard line during a 'Fair Play Dropped Ball', what must the player taking the hit do?

• Hit the ball within 5 seconds without replacing the ball and take the hit in one stroke with the intent to score ✓
• Wait for the umpire's whistle before hitting the ball
• Pass the ball to a teammate
• Take as much time as needed to hit the ball

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

What happens if a team fails to play the ball within 5 seconds during a ‘Fair Play Dropped Ball’?

• The opposing team is awarded a free hit
• A Penalty 5a is awarded to the opposing team ✓
• The game continues with no penalty
• The team is given a second chance to play the ball

If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.

Where will the umpires drop the ball during a ‘Fair Play Dropped Ball’?

• Where it was when the whistle was blown
• At the centre of the field, in line with where the ball was when the whistle was blown but not outside the T
• On the 60-yard line
• Where it was when the whistle was blown. If the ball was within the 60, it shall be dropped on the 60-yard line in line with where the ball was when the whistle was blown but not outside the T ✓

Below is a list of the terms or rules commonly used along with their meaning: a. Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules. b. States of Play. (i) Ball in Play.

Test yourself

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