The field and the ball
How big the field is, how far the safety zone runs, what the goals and boards must be, and the size and weight of the ball, as each rulebook sets them. Each value is in the rulebook's own units; a figure marked converted is ours.
12 of 15 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length Differs | 250–300 yd (230–275 m) | 230–275 m ≈ 252–301 yd converted | 300 yd ≈ 274 m converted A full-size field; no minimum is given. |
| Width without boards Differs | 175–200 yd ≈ 160–183 m converted The HPA rounds its own metres for the 200 yards differently: 180 m in rule 1a, 183 m in Annex A. Ours is the exact conversion. | 160–180 m ≈ 175–197 yd converted | 160–200 yd ≈ 146–183 m converted |
| Width with boards Differs | 145–160 yd ≈ 133–146 m converted The HPA rounds its own metres for the 160 yards differently: 146 m in rule 1a, 145 m in Annex A. Ours is the exact conversion. | 130–146 m ≈ 142–160 yd converted | 160 yd ≈ 146 m converted A full-size field; no minimum is given. |
| Safety zone beyond the sides Differs | 10 yd (recommended) ≈ 9.14 m converted | about 10 m ≈ 10.9 yd converted | at least 10 yd (recommended) ≈ 9.14 m converted Set by the host tournament committee. |
| Safety zone beyond the back lines Differs | at least 30 yd (recommended) ≈ 27.4 m converted | about 30 m ≈ 32.8 yd converted | Not specified There is a run-off area beyond the end lines, with no size given. USPA 2026 r.12echecked |
| Goal width | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 8 yd (7.3 m) HPA: Measured between the inner faces of the posts. | ||
| Goal post height | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA at least 10 ft (3 m) | ||
| Goal posts give way if hit | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Yes: light enough to give way. USPA: Also round, of the same thickness all the way up, and upright. | ||
| Board height Differs | at most 11 in (28 cm) | at most 0.27 m ≈ 10.6 in converted | at most 11 in ≈ 27.9 cm converted |
| Board thickness Differs | at least 1 in ≈ 2.54 cm converted | Not specified AAP 2026 r.1.1dchecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.12hchecked |
| Boards at the ends of the field Differs | May curve round at the ends. Annex A: from the 30-yard line to 15 yards into the back line. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.1.1dchecked | Never: the ends are unboarded. |
| Rail at the foot of the boards Differs | Allowed: a triangular arris rail, 4 × 2 in, to send the ball back into play. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.1.1dchecked | Allowed: a triangular strip at most 3 in wide and 3 in high, to deflect the ball. |
| Lines marked on the field Differs | 30- and 60-yard lines (may run right across), tees across the centre line, and a goal judges' line about 20 yards from each back line. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.1.1achecked | The centre, every boundary without boards, and the edges and centre of the 30-, 40- and 60-yard lines. |
| Ball diameter Differs | 3–3.5 in (76–89 mm) | 78–80 mm ≈ 3.07–3.15 in converted | 3–3.5 in ≈ 76.2–88.9 mm converted |
| Ball weight Differs | 4.25–4.75 oz (120–135 g) | 120–135 g ≈ 4.23–4.76 oz converted | 3.5–4.5 oz ≈ 99.2–128 g converted |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.