Starting and restarting play
How each rulebook starts the game and puts the ball back in play: the throw-in, the restart after a goal, the knock-in when attackers hit behind, the corner when defenders do, and the hit when the ball goes out over the side. Distances are in the rulebook's own units; a figure marked converted is ours.
14 of 20 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gap between the teams at a throw-in Differs | at least 2 ft (60 cm) | at least 60 cm ≈ 1.97 ft converted | Not specified Each team lines up on its own side of the centre line; no gap is given. USPA 2026 r.20achecked |
| Players' distance from the umpire at a throw-in Differs | at least 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted | 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted The teams line up 5 yards in front of the umpire; rule 11 has the umpire bowl from at least five metres. | at least 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted |
| Opening throw-in: distance from the boards Differs | at least 20 yd ≈ 18.3 m converted On the centre line, at least 20 yards from the boards or side line. | at least 20 m ≈ 21.9 yd converted Anywhere along the centre line, always more than 20 metres from the boards, to spare the ground. | at least 20 yd ≈ 18.3 m converted Anywhere on the centre line, always more than 20 yards from the boards or side line (interpretation). |
| Restart after a goal | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Ends change; throw-in on the centre line HPA: After a goal awarded by Penalty 1, the restart is a Penalty 5b instead. AAP: After a Penalty 1 for a dangerous or deliberate foul, play restarts with a penalty from the centre. USPA: After a Penalty 1 goal, the fouled team restarts with a Penalty 5b. HPA 2026 r.13aAAP 2026 r.13AAP 2026 r.39aUSPA 2026 r.22e(1)USPA 2026 r.37 Penalty 1 | ||
| Time to line up after a goal Differs | 25 seconds Any unnecessary delay is penalised with a Penalty 5b. | 25 seconds at most Players ride back at a slow canter; the umpire decides when to throw within that time. | 25 seconds If a team is not back in time without a reason the umpire accepts, the umpire throws in anyway. |
| Knock-in: closest to a goal post Differs | at least 4 yd ≈ 3.66 m converted | at least 3.5 m ≈ 3.83 yd converted | at least 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted Also at least 5 yards from a side board, and never between the posts. |
| Knock-in: furthest from the goal Differs | at most 40 yd ≈ 36.6 m converted Measured from the centre of the goal. | at most 36.5 m ≈ 39.9 yd converted Measured from the goal posts. | Not specified The ball is placed within a foot of where it crossed the end line, wherever that is. USPA 2026 r.22achecked |
| Knock-in: attackers kept back Differs | at least 30 yd ≈ 27.4 m converted A player coming back from an offside position is excused if they do not interfere. | at least 27.45 m (30 yd) From the back line, until the ball is hit or a hit is tried. | at least 30 yd ≈ 27.4 m converted From the end line, when the umpire calls play and the ball is hit or hit at. |
| Knock-in: time to take it | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 10 seconds from the call of play | ||
| Knock-in delayed or ridden past Differs | Throw-in at right angles to the back line The team that was to knock in lines up nearest the goal. | Throw-in at right angles to the back line Also if the hitter rides over the ball or circles; the defending team lines up on the goal side. | Penalty 4 to the other team Also for riding past the ball on the first approach, or hitting before play is called. |
| Knock-in: attackers too close Differs | Penalty 5b to the defending team | Penalty 7b: the knock-in is retaken from the 30-yard line | Penalty 5b to the knocking-in team |
| Defender hits over their own back line Differs | Penalty 6 (Corner 60) | Penalty 6 (corner) Also when a defender deliberately carries or drives the ball over. | Penalty 6 (safety) A ball that merely touches the defender's mallet counts as hit by them. |
| Ball off another player before it goes over | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Knock-in, not a corner HPA: Also off the umpire. Off the defender's own pony, a teammate's stick, a post or the boards it stays a Corner 60. AAP: Off the defender's own pony or body, the boards or the posts it stays a corner. USPA: Off another player, an opponent's mallet or another player's horse. Off the hitter's own horse, a post or the side boards it stays a safety. | ||
| Ball out over the side: who restarts Differs | The team that did not touch it last A last touch by stick, pony or player counts. If unclear, or off an umpire's pony, a throw-in. | The team that did not touch it last with the stick The last stick to touch the ball decides. If unclear, or off the referee or their pony, a throw-in. | The team that did not hit it out If it glanced off an opponent or their horse, the team that last hit it keeps it. If off an umpire, or unclear, a throw-in. |
| Side-line hit: distance in from the line Differs | at least 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted | 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted | 5 yd ≈ 4.57 m converted |
| Side-line hit: timing | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Umpire counts 8 seconds, then 5 seconds to play it HPA: Not played within 5 seconds: Penalty 5a. AAP: Not played within 5 seconds: throw-in at that spot. USPA: Delays are dealt with as for a Penalty 5a. | ||
| Side-line hit: opponents kept back | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA at least 30 yd HPA: And not behind the ball. One caught inside 30 yards may not play until the hitter has passed or been challenged. AAP: An opponent who is not 30 yards away must let the ball be played. USPA: Placed as for a Penalty 5a: 30 yards from the ball, between it and the goal they defend. HPA 2026 r.16dAAP 2026 r.16cUSPA 2026 r.22e(2)USPA 2026 r.37 Penalty 5a | ||
| Ball sent out over the side inside the defenders' 60 yards Differs | Hit from the 60-yard line, 10 yards in; one stroke, at goal or a pass of 30+ yards | Hit from the 60-yard line, 10 yards in; one stroke, at goal or a pass of 30+ yards If the hitter dribbles or goes after the ball, the other team gets a free hit from the spot. | Attackers' hit from the 60-yard line, 10 yards in; to goal or to a teammate, no tapping It counts as a pass only if it travels at least 30 yards. |
| Restart after an interval | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA As it would have restarted with no interval HPA: If ends have changed, from the matching position. | ||
| Getting back onside at a restart Differs | Pass behind a teammate who was onside Against a penalty, return down the safety zone at a steady canter. With no teammate onside, pass your onside point and then the first opponent. | Pass the nearest properly placed teammate With no teammate on the field, the first player in is in play from the 60-yard line. | Pass a properly placed teammate, or the ball has gone 30 yards and you have crossed midfield |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.