Rule 16 · HPA Blue Book 2026

Ball out over the boards or sideline

When the ball goes out over the side, play restarts without the whistle with a hit against the team that touched it last.

1. 16

   BALL GOES OUT OF PLAY OVER THE BOARDS OR SIDELINE. If the ball goes out of play over the boards or sideline, the umpire without blowing their whistle (the clock is not stopped) will restart play with a hit against the team that last touched the ball whether it was off their stick, pony or player.

2. 16a

   If the umpires are unclear as to which team touched the ball last or the ball went out off an umpire’s pony, then there will be a throw in by the umpire who will stand with their back to the boards where the ball went out of play.

3. 16b

   If the ball was last touched by a defending team member or their pony within their 60 yard line, the umpire will place the ball on the 60 yard line and 10 yards in from the boards or side line; the striker may hit the ball only once and must either pass the ball to a teammate who must be at least 30 yards away or shoot for goal.

4. 16c

   In all other cases the umpire shall place the ball at least 5 yards inside the playing area opposite the point where it went out of play.

5. 16d

   In either case: • The umpires will place the ball within 8 seconds and after 8 seconds will call ‘play’. • The player taking the hit must hit the ball within 5 seconds without replacing the ball; their team members may be in a position of their choosing. If the team fails to play the ball within the 5 seconds a Penalty 5a should be awarded. • The players of the team facing the hit shall not be within 30 yards of the ball nor behind the ball. Should one be within 30 yards of the ball when the hit is taken then they have no play until the hitter has passed the ball to or been challenged by another player. If they do make a play a penalty hit should be awarded closer to their goal.