Penalties
What each numbered penalty gives, how far out it is hit, whether it is defended and where the fouling team must wait, as each rulebook sets it. Penalties 1 to 6 match closely across the three rulebooks; from 7 up the same number can mean a different penalty, so read each column on its own.
16 of 20 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty 1: goal awarded Differs | One goal to the fouled team; ends change and play restarts with a Penalty 5b to them For a dangerous or deliberate foul near the goal, made to stop a goal. | One goal; play restarts from the centre with a penalty (39a) or with a throw-in (39b) Rule 39a covers a dangerous or deliberate foul to save a goal. Rule 39b also gives a goal for a foul to save a goal without saying it must be dangerous or deliberate, and restarts with a throw-in. | One goal to the fouled team; ends change and play restarts with a Penalty 5b to them A yellow card to the fouling team for the foul behind a Penalty 2, or during it, turns that Penalty 2 into a Penalty 1. |
| Penalty 2: hit from the goal line | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 30 yd HPA: Straight in front of the middle of the goal, or from the spot of the foul if the fouled captain prefers. | ||
| Penalty 2: where the foul must happen Differs | Only for a foul inside the 30-yard line | Not specified AAP 2026 r.40checked | Not specified The umpires choose the penalty, weighing danger, place on the field, player positions and how often it has happened. |
| Penalty 2: where the fouling team waits Differs | Behind its back line, not between the posts or behind the goal, from either spot; it may not play the ball | From 30 yards: behind its back line, outside the goal. From the spot: at least 30 yards from the ball. The goal is left open The 30 yards apply even when the spot is closer than that to the goal. | From 30 yards: behind its back line, outside the goal. From the spot: at least 30 yards from the ball, outside the goal Once the ball is in play, no player of the fouling team may come onto the field. |
| Penalty 2 that does not score Differs | If the ball stops short or bounces back off a post: free hit to the defenders from where it stops, as a Penalty 5a | If it is missed, mishit, dribbled, stops short or stays in after hitting a post: knock-in to the defenders | From the 30-yard line, if the ball stops before the end of the field: Penalty 5a to the defenders from where it stopped The rule says nothing of a Penalty 2 taken from the spot that stops short. |
| Penalty 3: hit from the goal line | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 40 yd HPA: Straight in front of the middle of the goal. | ||
| Penalty 3: defended or not Differs | Defended: once the ball is hit, defenders may ride on from behind the back line, but not through the posts Until then they wait behind the back line, not between the posts or behind the goal. | Partly: once the ball is in play, one defender may cross in front of the goal to stop it; none may come through the posts | Undefended unless the host committee announces otherwise, in events of 8 goals and up with two certified professional umpires When defended, defenders may ride on from behind the back line once the ball is in play, except between the posts. |
| Penalty 4: hit from the goal line | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 60 yd HPA: From the centre of the 60-yard line. | ||
| Penalty 4: where the fouling team stands Differs | 40 yards from the Penalty 4 line until the ball is hit; a dot 20 yards out from the back line guides the umpires | At least 40 yards from the ball, between the ball and the goal it defends | Behind the 30-yard line until play is called and the ball is hit |
| Penalty 5a: least distance from the boards or side line Differs | at least 4 yd ≈ 3.66 m converted Taken from where the ball was at the foul. | at least 4 m ≈ 4.37 yd converted | at least 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted |
| Penalty 5a (spot) and 5b (centre): fouling team's distance from the ball Differs | at least 30 yd ≈ 27.4 m converted Behind an imaginary line parallel to the back line, 30 yards from the ball. | at least 30 yd ≈ 27.4 m converted Never closer than 30 yards, always between the ball and the goal it defends. | at least 30 yd ≈ 27.4 m converted Never closer than 30 yards, and between the ball and the goal it defends. |
| Penalty 6 (corner or safety): hit from the back line | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 60 yd HPA: Called Corner 60. Level with where the ball crossed the back line, no more than 40 yards out from the centre. AAP: Called córner. Opposite where the ball went out, no more than 40 yards from the centre of the goal. USPA: Called Safety. Opposite where the ball crossed the end line, no more than 40 yards from the centre of the 60-yard line. | ||
| Penalty 6: where the fouling team stands Differs | Behind the 30-yard line and at least 40 yards from the ball, until it is hit | At least 40 yards from the ball, between the ball and the goal it defends | Behind the 30-yard line until play is called and the ball is hit |
| Penalty 7a Differs | Defenders broke the procedure: the penalty is retaken, a Penalty 5 moved 30 yards up; a goal if they stopped a scoring hit | Fouling team broke the rules at a Penalty 2, 3, 4 or 6: the hit is taken again from the same place At a Penalty 5a or 5b the hit is moved 30 yards forward instead; if it happens again, a heavier penalty is given according to where it happened. | No Penalty 7a. The USPA's Penalty 7 is for a player disabled by a foul: an opponent is removed or a substitute comes on When the fouling team breaks the procedure, the fouled team gets an increased penalty where possible (rule 36e). |
| Penalty 7b Differs | The team taking the hit broke the procedure: Penalty 5a to the other team from that spot | Attackers broke the knock-in rule: the defenders knock in again from the 30-yard line Same name as the HPA's Penalty 7b, different penalty. | No Penalty 7b A fouled team that takes its penalty wrongly gives the other team a Penalty 5a, or a Penalty 4 when a 5a goes wrong inside its own 60 yards. |
| Penalty 8 Differs | Throw-in towards the nearest boards from where the ball was at the whistle | Throw-in where the penalty was due, when both teams break the rules together at a Penalty 2 or 3 The good side goes to the team that was taking the penalty. | The pony is ordered off and may not play again in the game Sent off under rule 5, 6a or 6b, it may come back once the fault is put right, if the game is not delayed. |
| Penalty 9a Differs | Pony sent off until the equipment breach is put right; play restarts at once | Pony sent off for the match, or until the cause is removed; play restarts at once with a throw-in For a breach of rule 3.1b on ponies. | No Penalty 9a. The USPA's Penalty 9 is forfeit of the game, by both teams if both commit it |
| Penalty 9b Differs | Player sent off until the equipment breach is put right; play restarts at once | Player sent off until their equipment is put right; play restarts at once with a throw-in For a breach of rule 2.3 on players' equipment. | No Penalty 9b; Penalty 9 is a forfeit |
| Penalty 10 Differs | Not specified There is no Penalty 10; discipline is by flags (rule 50). HPA 2026 r.49HPA 2026 r.50checked | Not specified There is no Penalty 10; discipline is by cards (rule 51). AAP 2026 r.50AAP 2026 r.51checked | Player excluded from the game, in line with rule 33 For a deliberate, dangerous foul or conduct harmful to the game; the umpire shows a red card. |
| Time to take a penalty Differs | 30 seconds Counted from when the player touches the ball or the umpire starts the time. | 20 seconds Counted from the call of play; after that the umpire gives a throw-in at the spot. | 20 seconds Counted from the call of play; going over gives the other team a Penalty 5a. |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.