Time and chukkas
How long a chukka lasts, what the bell or horn means, how many chukkas are played and how long the breaks are, as each rulebook sets them. Then what happens when the scores are level at the end, and when the clock stops.
11 of 16 rows differ
| Fact | HPA UK | AAP Argentina | USPA USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of a chukka | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 7 minutes, then up to 30 seconds more HPA: A first bell at 7 minutes; a chukka lasts at most 7½ minutes. AAP: A second bell rings 30 seconds after the first. USPA: One horn or bell at 7 minutes; two end the period, or the clock at 7:30 if they are not heard. | ||
| After the 7-minute signal, the chukka ends Differs | At the next break in play, or at the second bell If the ball is already out of play when the first bell rings, the umpire whistles the chukka over. | When the ball leaves the field, a foul is whistled, or the second bell rings | When the ball goes out, a goal is scored, or the umpire whistles Or at the closing signal. On a boarded field, a ball that hits the boards and stays in does not end the period. |
| A foul after the 7-minute signal | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA The penalty is taken at the start of the next chukka | ||
| End of the last chukka Differs | At the 7-minute bell, unless the scores are level | At the first stroke of the final bell, even with the ball in play Not at the umpire's whistle. A tie in a knockout match is the exception. | Play goes on after the 7-minute signal until a goal or the closing signal A goal that only levels the score does not end it. |
| Last chukka with the scores level Differs | Goes on until a goal is scored or awarded, or the second bell | Goes on until the ball goes out of play or 30 seconds after the bell | Goes on to the closing signal or the next goal |
| A tie after the last chukka Differs | Extra chukkas until a goal (golden goal), if a result is needed After a 5-minute interval, starting where the previous chukka ended. | Chukkas of the usual length until a goal After a 5-minute interval, restarting from where the ball went out of play. | Overtime periods until a goal |
| Widened goals in extra time Differs | Yes: extra time may be played with widened goals When and by how much is set in Annex D of the HPA rules. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.10fchecked | Not specified USPA 2026 r.14cchecked |
| Chukkas in a game Differs | Normally 4 to 6 Not counting extra time; the Tournament Committee may vary it to suit the level. | Up to 8 in open tournaments, 6 in the rest The organisers set the actual number. | Up to 6 regular periods Plus any number of overtime periods. |
| Interval between chukkas | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 3 minutes USPA: In games below 8 goals the umpires may allow longer intervals. | ||
| Half time Differs | 5 minutes In a 5-chukka game it comes after the 3rd chukka; for other games the rule does not say when. | 5 minutes after the 4th chukka, only when more than 6 are played Otherwise every interval is 3 minutes. | 5 minutes, in games of 4 or more periods With an odd number of periods, half time comes after the middle one. |
| Interval before extra time | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA 5 minutes USPA: A further 5-minute interval follows each run of overtime periods as long as the run before the first 5-minute interval. | ||
| Warning before play starts Differs | A bell 5 minutes before the advertised start A bell also rings at the end of each interval to tell the umpires to restart. | Not specified AAP 2026 r.11checked | A horn 2 minutes before each period; two horns to start it |
| When the clock stops | Same in HPA, AAP, and USPA Only on the umpire's whistle, not for a goal or a ball going out HPA 2026 r.10dHPA 2026 r.6b(ii)AAP 2026 r.6.2USPA 2026 r.15a | ||
| A penalty at the very end Differs | 5 seconds allowed to take it For a whistle in the last 5 seconds of the last chukka. If no foul is agreed, play goes on only for the time that was left. | 5 seconds of play from when it is taken For a penalty in the last 5 seconds; the same again if another foul is whistled in those 5 seconds. | At least 5 seconds allowed to take it For any stoppage after the 7-minute signal in the last period, and in overtime; also for a free hit or throw-in. |
| Break to change ponies Differs | No: play is continuous | One minute mid-chukka, in category B tournaments up to 14 goals The referee calls it at a neutral moment. Otherwise no time is allowed for changing ponies. | Not specified USPA 2026 r.15achecked |
| A game that cannot be finished Differs | Resumed later from the same score, chukka and ball position Only the umpire or the host Tournament Committee may stop it, after consulting the captains and officials, for an unavoidable cause. | Resumed later from the same score, chukka and ball position The umpire stops it for an unavoidable cause such as darkness or bad weather. | Resumed later from the same score, period and ball position The committee may abandon it if it could not affect the outcome of the event. |
≈ marks a figure we converted; the rulebook gives only the other unit.