Winning the throw-in
The throw-in is the only truly neutral ball in polo, and most teams waste it. The 1s block, the 3s fight for it, and someone must be behind to collect.
The key points
- Line up in number order, shoulder to shoulder, 20 yards off the boards.
- The 1s hold each other up rather than swinging at it.
- Your 3 tries to tap it backwards, not forwards — a backhand out of the line is the safest win.
- The Back stays deep to collect anything that squirts loose.
In the app this play is animated, and you can spin the pitch and read the rule behind it.
See it move
See this play animated on the pitch, and test yourself on the rules behind it.
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.