Fouls: riding off, the stick, rough play
What each rulebook allows and forbids in contact between players: riding off, hooking sticks, dangerous riding, hard hits at close range and blocking. It also compares how the umpires deal with appeals, advantage and unsportsmanlike conduct.
12 of 19 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| When a ride-off is legal Differs | Same speed, shoulder to shoulder, at a safe angle Any other contact between ponies is not allowed. | Fair and shoulder to shoulder | On even terms, without undue force A pony knocked off balance always means a dangerous ride-off, whether or not it falls. |
| Angle of a ride-off Differs | No figure: the angle must be safe An angle that endangers a player or pony, or unbalances the pony, may be rough play. | No figure: an angle dangerous to player or pony is a foul | No figure: an angle safe at low speed can be very dangerous at high speed |
| Where the ponies may meet Differs | Not in front of or behind the saddle | Shoulder to shoulder; not behind the saddle | Dangerous if either pony is more than a foot or two ahead or behind |
| Arms and elbows Differs | Elbow close to the side; no pushing with head, hand, arm or elbow Grabbing a player, pony or equipment is unsportsmanlike conduct (rule 35a). | May push with the arm above the elbow, elbow against the body No grabbing, and no striking or pushing with head, hand, forearm or elbow. | May push with the arm above the elbow, elbow against the body No grabbing, and no striking or pushing with head, hand, arm or elbow. |
| Two players riding off one opponent | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Not allowed (sandwiching) USPA: A teammate may still hook the mallet of the opponent being ridden off. | ||
| Riding into an opponent's stroke Differs | Dangerous play when riding in from behind | A ride-off on the hitting side at the moment of the hit is allowed Penalised only if the ride-off itself is a foul. | Dangerous riding when deliberate A dribble is not a stroke. Events of 8 goals and up may opt for a rule that allows the ride-off. |
| Zig-zagging in front of a player | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Dangerous: not allowed HPA: When it forces the other player to check or risk a fall. AAP: In front of a player at the gallop, forcing them to check or risk a fall. USPA: In front of a player riding at a gallop. | ||
| Pulling across another pony | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Dangerous: not allowed when it puts a pony at risk | ||
| Riding an opponent across another player's line | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Dangerous: not allowed | ||
| Riding at an opponent to intimidate | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Dangerous even when no foul or cross occurs | ||
| Where a hook may come from | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Ball's side of the opponent's pony, or directly behind; never over or under the pony | ||
| When a stick may be hooked Differs | While the opponent is hitting, with all of the stick below the shoulder Never with excessive force. | Only in the act of hitting, once the stick has come down below the shoulder line A hook while the opponent is getting ready to hit is a foul. The stick is hooked, not struck. | On the upswing or downswing, with the mallet head below the shoulder The mallet may be bumped or pushed off course, not slashed. |
| Hooking a backhand Differs | Offside: during the wind-up, below the shoulder. Nearside: not behind the player | Offside: as the swing begins, below the shoulder. Nearside: only on the downswing | Offside: during the wind-up, below the shoulder. Nearside: not in the wind-up |
| Hitting the ball into a player close by Differs | Dangerous play: a full-power hit that could injure a player close by A player may not jump in close to block a shot the hitter is already committed to. | Foul when a standing player hits it violently into an opponent two lengths away or less If the opponent was blocking the shot from that close, the foul is theirs. A yellow card if anyone is hurt. | Reckless when a slowed player hits it into a defender marking within two horse lengths A defender standing in the hitter's right of way who does not clear it can be penalised instead. |
| Blocking the marker at a restart Differs | No impeding the primary, who must raise their stick | Nobody may block the marker, not even the hitter A free hit from the spot; a Penalty 4 when it happens at a knock-in. | No pick on the defender marking the player with the ball At knock-ins, Penalties 5a and 5b and side-line hits; no contact is needed. |
| Blocking when the ball carrier slows | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Teammates may not block a defender within two horse lengths HPA: Inside the 60-yard line, a Penalty 4. | ||
| Appealing for a foul Differs | Only the captain talks to the umpires; persistent or excessive appealing is unsportsmanlike | No player may claim a foul; captains may raise other matters | No appeal in any way; the captain may still discuss matters Raising the mallet to catch the umpire's eye is an appeal, and is penalised as a foul. |
| Advantage Differs | Umpires may not blow, or may wait, if stopping play would harm the fouled team | Any foul: the umpire must stop play and apply the penalty | Umpire may let play go on, or briefly delay the whistle Usually decided straight after the next play. Fouls that endanger a player or horse are called at once. |
| Sanction for unsportsmanlike conduct Differs | Technical penalty, yellow or red flag, on top of any penalty | Warning or sanction: technical foul, yellow or red card | A yellow card at once Dangerous riding and mallet fouls count as unsportsmanlike, unless the umpires judge them neither deliberate nor unduly dangerous. |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.