Get trained
This page explains the principles. It is not a substitute for lessons from a qualified polo instructor or club, and it does not replace the rules of your governing body, club or tournament.
What counts as a foul
The HPA's 2026 rules (Rule 6a) define a foul simply as any infringement of the rules. The rules on the line of the ball, riding off and hooking are covered on their own page. Both rulebooks also name specific dangerous and unsporting acts.
Dangerous and rough play
The HPA's 2026 rules give examples of each:
- Rough play (Rule 33): riding off at a dangerous angle, or in front of or behind the saddle; riding an opponent off over the back line toward a goal judge; and "sandwiching", where two teammates ride off one opponent.
- Dangerous play (Rule 34): a full-power swing at close quarters; riding into an opponent's stroke from behind; zigzagging; pulling across another player; swinging the stick wildly (the rulebook's "windmill or helicopter"); intimidating riding; and riding into the umpire.
The USPA's 2024 Outdoor Rules cover the same ground in Rule 26 (dangerous riding, including zigzagging in front of a galloping player and pulling across a mount's legs) and Rule 27, which bars seizing, striking or pushing with the head, hand, arm or elbow. Deliberately striking another player can lead to ejection under the USPA's Penalty 10.
Unsportsmanlike conduct
- HPA 2026 (Rule 35): includes abusive language, excessive appealing, seizing another player or pony, striking with stick or whip, deliberate delay, feigning injury, hitting the ball recklessly beyond the safety zone, and abuse of a pony.
- USPA 2024 (Rule 33): includes appealing to the umpires, abusive language, arguing, delay, windmill or helicopter swinging of the mallet, dangerous riding, rough play, excessive whipping, hitting after the whistle, and reckless hitting outside the safety zone.
Advantage and timing
Under the HPA's 2026 rules (Rule 36), umpires may play advantage, by not blowing or by delaying the whistle, when stopping play would hurt the team that was fouled. If the umpires agree there was no foul, or the referee rules "No Foul", play restarts with a throw-in toward the nearest boards or sideline. Once the umpire drops the ball for a penalty, the player has 30 seconds to reposition and play it (Rule 37).
The USPA's 2024 rules (Rule 35) tell umpires choosing between possible penalties to weigh the degree of danger or unfair advantage, where on the field the foul happened, the players' positions and how often similar fouls have occurred. Simultaneous fouls by both teams lead to a throw-in, and Rule 34 calls for escalating penalties for repeated fouls.
The HPA 2026 penalty list
Penalties under the HPA's 2026 rules, Rules 38 to 49.
| HPA 2026 penalty | What happens |
|---|---|
| Penalty 1 (Rule 38) | For a dangerous or deliberate foul near goal that saves a goal. The fouled team is awarded a goal, ends are changed and play restarts with a Penalty 5b. |
| Penalty 2 (Rule 39) | For a foul inside the 30-yard line. The fouled captain chooses an undefended free hit from the spot or from 30 yards opposite the goal centre. Defenders wait behind their back line, not between or behind the posts. |
| Penalty 3 (Rule 40) | Free hit from 40 yards opposite the goal centre, defenders behind their back line. A mishit may be followed up only with a half shot until a defender plays the ball. |
| Penalty 4 (Rule 41) | Free hit from the centre of the 60-yard line. Defenders must be 40 yards from the Penalty 4 line until the ball is hit. |
| Penalty 5a (Rule 42) | Free hit from the spot of the foul, at least 4 yards from the boards. Defenders 30 yards back. |
| Penalty 5b (Rule 43) | Free hit from the centre of the field. Defenders 30 yards back. |
| Penalty 6, Corner 60 (Rule 44) | Free hit from the 60-yard line opposite where the ball crossed the back line, no more than 40 yards from centre. Defenders behind the 30-yard line and 40 yards from the ball. |
| Penalty 7a (Rule 45) | Infringement by the defending side during a penalty: the penalty is retaken. A Penalty 5 moves up 30 yards, and a goal is awarded if an illegal defender stopped a scoring hit. |
| Penalty 7b (Rule 46) | Infringement by the hitting side: the defenders get a Penalty 5a. |
| Penalty 8 (Rule 47) | A throw-in toward the nearest boards. |
| Penalty 9a and 9b (Rules 48 and 49) | A pony or player is sent off for illegal equipment until it is put right. |
HPA 2026 flags
Under Rule 50, the umpires may add a yellow or red flag to any penalty (if they disagree, the referee decides). Two yellows (or one yellow when the player is already on a yellow) send the player to the sin bin for two minutes of playing time. A red flag sends the player off for the rest of the match, counts as two yellows, and the player may be replaced after 2 minutes of play. A red flag also brings a suspension for the player's next two matches in the tournament, subject to the Disciplinary Review Panel. Flags may be given in addition to penalties for rough play.
The USPA 2024 penalty list
Penalties under the USPA's 2024 Outdoor Rules, Rule 37. The USPA revises its rules each year, so check the current rulebook before relying on these.
| USPA 2024 penalty | What happens |
|---|---|
| Penalty 1 | For a dangerous or deliberate foul near goal to prevent a goal. The fouled team is awarded a goal and play resumes with a Penalty 5b to them, ends changed. |
| Penalty 2 | A hit from the centre of the 30-yard line or, if the fouled team prefers, from the spot. For a 30-yard hit the defenders wait behind their back line outside the goal; for a spot hit none may be within 30 yards. |
| Penalty 3 | A hit from the centre of the 40-yard line, defenders behind the back line. Undefended by default, but the Host Tournament Committee may make it defended in events of 8 goals and above when two certified professional umpires officiate. |
| Penalty 4 | A free hit from the centre of the 60-yard line. Defenders behind the 30-yard line until play is called and the ball is hit. |
| Penalty 5a | A hit from the spot, at least 5 yards from the boards or sideline. Defenders at least 30 yards away and goal-side of the ball. |
| Penalty 5b | A hit from the centre of the field. Defenders at least 30 yards away and goal-side of the ball. |
| Penalty 6, Safety | A hit from 60 yards out opposite where the ball crossed the end line, no more than 40 yards from centre. Defenders behind the 30-yard line. |
| Penalty 7 | If a foul disables a player who must retire, the fouled captain may have a player of the fouling team removed (the one whose handicap is nearest above the injured player's), leaving three a side, or instead bring on a qualified substitute. |
| Penalty 8 | The mount is ordered off and may not play again in the game. It may return after an equipment violation is cured. |
| Penalty 9 | Forfeiture of the game. |
| Penalty 10 | The umpire may exclude a player for a deliberate dangerous foul or conduct prejudicial to the game. |
USPA 2024 cards
Under Rule 33, a first yellow card brings a penalty. A second yellow means two minutes off the field with no substitute. A third yellow repeats that or may be a red, and a fourth offence is always a red. A red card means suspension for the rest of the game, no substitute for the next four minutes of play, and suspension for the player's next game of equal or higher handicap.
Where the two lists differ
- The numbers mean different things. Penalties 1 to 6 broadly match. After that, HPA 2026 uses 7a and 7b for infringements during a penalty hit, 8 for a throw-in and 9a and 9b for equipment send-offs, and handles exclusions through flags. USPA 2024 uses 7 for removing a player after an injury foul, 8 for a mount sent off, 9 for forfeiture and 10 for excluding a player.
- Penalty 4 defenders. HPA 2026: 40 yards from the Penalty 4 line. USPA 2024: behind the 30-yard line.
- Penalty 5a distance from the boards. HPA 2026: at least 4 yards. USPA 2024: at least 5 yards.
- Red card substitution. HPA 2026 allows a substitute after 2 minutes of playing time; USPA 2024 after 4 minutes.
- Penalty 3 defence. HPA 2026 (Rule 40): defenders wait behind their back line until the ball is hit or hit at, and once it is in play none of them may enter the field through the goal posts. USPA 2024: undefended by default, meaning no defender may enter the field from behind the back line, with the option of a defended Penalty 3 at 8 goals and above.
In Argentina, La Nacion's guide to the Campo Argentino de Polo (2001, updated 2020) describes penalty hits taken from 30, 40 or 60 yards, from midfield or from the spot, and corners from 60 yards opposite where the ball went out. The AAP's general rulebook was not available for this site.