Officials and signals
Who runs a polo game, how many umpires ride, what the referee and goal judges do and how they signal, as each rulebook sets it. Then the timekeeper and scorer, and what players may and may not say to the umpires.
17 of 18 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mounted umpires Differs | Normally 2 | 1 or 2 | 2 with a referee, or 3 |
| Referee (third man) Differs | Yes Sits somewhere raised and apart at the centre of the ground; must not chat or use a mobile phone. | Yes, when there are 2 umpires Stays off the field. | Yes, unless 3 mounted umpires serve One or more extra referees may be added. |
| When the umpires disagree Differs | The referee decides, and that is final | The referee decides, and that is final | The referee picks which umpire prevails, or calls offsetting penalties With 3 mounted umpires and no two in agreement, no foul is called. |
| A referee who cannot judge the play Differs | Rules 'No Foul' Rule 6f(c) instead restarts with a throw-in when the third man is undecided after a foul is whistled while a player had a clear advantage. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.4.2.2achecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.8dchecked |
| Referee may point out a missed incident Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.4bchecked | Yes The umpires then take whatever action they think fit. | Not specified Extra referees give evidence when the umpires ask for it. USPA 2026 r.8echecked |
| When the officials' authority runs Differs | During the game and just before and after it | From the scheduled start to 30 minutes after the end | From 15 minutes before the start to about 15 minutes after the final whistle |
| Something the rules do not cover Differs | The umpires decide; the referee if they disagree | The umpires decide; the referee if they disagree | The umpires decide, and may consult the host committee first |
| Who may officiate Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.4achecked | Official referees on the AAP register, and occasional umpires Officials are named by the organising committee and cannot be challenged. | USPA members |
| What umpires wear Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.4cchecked | Official referees: AAP clothing and regulation helmet Marked as registered referees; those under 18 also wear AAP goggles. | Proper uniform and the same helmet as players |
| Umpire's equipment Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.4cchecked | Not specified AAP 2026 r.4.2.2achecked | Mount, whistle, pick-up stick, ball bag and uniform The referee has a current copy of the rules. |
| Goal judges Differs | One at each goal, sometimes two | At each goal in important matches; elsewhere where possible | In every USPA Event |
| What goal judges decide | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA They report when asked; the umpires decide | ||
| Goal judge's flag signals Differs | Waves the flag for a goal No signal is set for a ball over the back line. | Overhead for a goal; side to side at knee height for a ball over the back line | Overhead for a goal; at the feet for a ball over the end line The flag stays down and furled otherwise. |
| Goal judge puts down a new ball Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.4dchecked | Not specified AAP 2026 r.4.3checked | Yes, for the knock-in Within a foot of where the ball crossed, but no closer than 5 yards to a post or the boards. |
| Timekeeper and scorer Differs | A timekeeper, a scorer and an assistant scorer The timekeeper may also act as scorer and assistant scorer. | Official timekeeper and scorer | Official timekeeper and scorer Both answer to the umpire. |
| Timekeeper's signal Differs | Bell | Bell An umpire who did not hear the bell may check with the timekeeper when it rang. | Horn, bell or both |
| What the scorer records Differs | Each goal, and if possible who scored, when and which way The scorer's record is always the one that counts. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.4.4checked | The score, each team's fouls and the official score sheet |
| Players appealing to the umpires Differs | Only the captain may speak to the umpires Appealing too much when not involved in the play is unsportsmanlike conduct. | No player may claim a foul or ask for explanations Captains may still raise other matters of the game. | No appeal for a foul in any way An appeal by word or gesture is itself penalised; the captain may still discuss a matter with the umpire. |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.