Rule 19 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Buried or damaged ball
A buried ball means a whistle and a throw-in; a damaged ball is replaced, and a goal still counts if the larger part went through before the whistle.
BURIED OR DAMAGED BALL. If the ball is buried or trodden in so that the players are unable to move the ball, the umpire shall blow the whistle and restart the game with a throw-in. If the ball is damaged, the umpire shall stop the game and replace the ball, restarting the game with a fair play dropped ball or throw in as appropriate. A goal will be awarded if a player has managed to hit the larger part of the ball through the goal before the whistle was blown.