Line of the ball and right of way
Who has the right to the ball as each rulebook defines it: the line of the ball, the order of priority between players, how close a player may cross, and what happens when the ball changes direction. It also covers stopping on the ball, turning it and carrying it with the body.
16 of 20 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| What the line of the ball is | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA The ball's path, extended beyond it HPA: It still holds when the ball has bounced off a pony or anything else on the field. USPA: Extended forwards or backwards, at any moment. | ||
| Line after a missed free hit Differs | The direction the hitter was riding | Not specified AAP 2026 r.26checked | The direction the hitter was riding |
| Line when the ball stops in play Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.27checked | Not specified AAP 2026 r.26checked | The line it was travelling on before it stopped |
| Does hitting the ball last give the right? | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA No, once the player has moved off the exact line USPA: Right of way depends on each player's position against the line, not on who hit last. | ||
| Top priority: two players marking each other on the line Differs | Two opponents on the exact line playing each other, following or meeting the ball | Two players following the ball, riding each other off or side by side Only when going the ball's way on its exact line; at an angle or meeting the ball, the privilege goes. | Two players on the line, same direction, following or meeting, playing each other They must be exactly on the line; being two is not enough on its own. |
| Following the ball against meeting it Differs | The follower wins, unless the meeting player is on the exact line A player on the exact line with the ball on their offside has precedence, following or meeting. | Of two players at an angle, the one riding the ball's way wins A player on the line with the ball on their right has precedence over the others. | The follower wins at any angle, unless the meeting player is on the exact line with it on the offside |
| Two players both following, or both meeting | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Smaller angle to the line wins; at equal angles, the player with the line on their offside USPA: Umpires cannot measure angles: unless the player with the line on the left is clearly at the smaller angle, the one with it on the right has it. | ||
| Safe distance to cross or enter the line | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA No figure: not the slightest risk of collision or danger AAP: The umpires' directions add that the safe distance depends on speed, and doubt favours the player crossed. USPA: If the player with the right of way has to check or change course, it is a foul. Blocking, shading or squeezing the right of way is too. HPA 2026 r.26HPA 2026 r.27cAAP 2026 r.26AAP 2026 r.27cAAP 2026 Directivas 9USPA 2026 r.24c | ||
| Once a player has safely taken the line Differs | An opponent may not ride into them from behind | No ride-off from behind; the player behind must play the ball on the nearside | The original player may have to adjust speed or course |
| Right of way at a throw-in Differs | None until the ball leaves the line-out Until then the ball may be played from any direction, without creating danger. | Not specified | None until the ball leaves the line-up Until then the ball may be played from any direction, without creating danger. |
| Playing the ball on the nearside Differs | Not if it endangers a player who could otherwise make a legitimate play | Not if switching to the nearside endangers another player Players meeting each other must both hit on the offside; the player on the line keeps the ball on the right. | No nearside right of way: not if it endangers an opponent who could hook or hit Allowed after a legal ride-off, with the opponent parallel, or far enough behind. |
| Ball deflected a short way Differs | Players on the old line may still play it if they need not change direction Otherwise they may carry on a short way; not if another player is already established on the new line. | Players on the old line keep right of way, but may not play the ball once someone takes the new line A short, unexpected deflection does not change the line of the ball (rule 26). | The line changes; an opponent in the new right of way gets time to clear it |
| Line changed suddenly towards an opponent Differs | The opponent must clear the new line and may not make a play The player in possession must let them clear; riding into them to win a foul is a foul. | The opponent has right of way and may play the ball on the new line | The opponent gets time to clear, and may make no play while clearing |
| Ball moved to the left in front of a trailing opponent Differs | Allowed at any angle; the trailing opponent then has only a nearside play | Not specified AAP 2026 r.28bAAP 2026 r.28cchecked | Allowed at any angle; the trailing opponent then has only a nearside play |
| Ball hit past an opponent riding level Differs | The opponent may play it on the offside, if they do not cross The player following must not ride into them from behind. | The opponent may take an offside backhand, if they do not cross The hitter can win the ball back only by coming in on the nearside. | The opponent may play it on the offside, forehand or backhand Without impeding or endangering the hitter, who may then play it only on the nearside. |
| Slowing or stopping on the line Differs | Not specified HPA 2026 r.27cHPA 2026 r.28dchecked | Not allowed in front of anyone coming on the line From the umpires' directions: a player who misses and pulls up with another coming behind fouls. | Allowed once the ball is ahead of your stirrup and those behind can go round; never on its path ahead |
| Marked player who slows down on the ball Differs | One tap, then 5 seconds to hit away or run with it Marked: an opponent within two ponies' lengths, with the player neither blocked nor ridden off. | Warned to play the ball, then 5 seconds to get rid of it Otherwise the other team gets a free hit from the spot. | One tap, then 5 seconds to hit away or run with it Marked: within about two horse lengths. A breach gives a penalty against the team with the ball. |
| Turning the ball in front of a follower Differs | Not in front of a player on the line, unless that player checks Then either way, keeping speed. On the boards, a player who has turned must keep that direction. | Not specified | At the boards: not until the trailing player clears or checks Umpires apply four tests before calling a turning foul anywhere on the field. |
| Blocking or carrying the ball with the body Differs | One block or deflection per play; no catching, no deliberate carrying | May carry or strike it once per play; a second time gives a free hit from the spot | One block or deflection per possession; no catching, no deliberate carrying |
| Ball stuck on a player or pony Differs | Throw-in where it was first carried | Throw-in where it was first carried | Throw-in where it was first carried, or a fair-play possession Fair-play possession if that team had clear, uncontested possession when the ball lodged. |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.