Rule 6 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Common terms and rules
The vocabulary the rest of the rules rely on: foul, the states of play, the throw-in, offside, behind the ball and the fair play dropped ball.
Foul. A foul is defined as any infringement of the rules.
States of Play.
Ball in Play. For a throw in, the ball is considered ‘in play’ the moment it has left the umpires hand, and for a free hit the moment the player taking a free hit has either hit or hit at the ball if missed.
Ball Out of Play. The ball is ‘out of play’ if a goal has been scored or if it has gone over the back or side-line or boards. A ball on the line is still in play. The whistle is not blown nor the clock stopped.
Dead Ball. The ball is ‘dead’ when the umpire blows their whistle or on the sound of the bell to end the chukka. The clock is stopped.
Break in Play. There is a ‘break in play’ when the ball is ‘dead’ or ‘out of play’.
Neutral. Play is considered to be ‘neutral’ when neither side has an advantage or is favoured.
Throw-In. Each team shall take up its position opposite the umpire on its own side of an imaginary line not less than 2 feet (60 cms) apart. No player shall be within 5 yards of the umpire who shall stand at the spot on the field of play as set out in the Rules and bowl the ball in underarm, low and hard between the opposing ranks of players. The players should remain stationary and have no contact with an opposing player until the ball has left the umpire’s hand.
Offside. A player can only be offside if they are returning to the field of play after a break in play, when the opposing team has been awarded a hit or there is a throw in. When the opposition team is taking a penalty, an offside player returning to the field behind the opposing team must do so down the safety zone, not inside the boards, but close to the boards and no faster than a steady canter. Once the ball is in play the player may enter the field.
Teammate Onside. The defender should enter the field of play from behind their own team and in any case without interfering with play. If they enter in front of their own team, they are not onside until they have passed behind a player of their own team who was onside at the restart of play or is now recognised as being onside.
No Teammate Onside. The first player must either enter the field of play or pass the point on the field of play where they would have been deemed onside at the time of the restart and then pass the first opposing player. After this they will be recognised as being onside and any subsequent teammate must follow rule 6 d. (i).
Behind the Ball. If a line is drawn through where the ball has been placed parallel to the back line, behind the ball is taken as that part of the field of play which is on that side of the team taking the hit.
Fair Play Dropped Ball. • Unless within the 60 yard line and in favour of the attacking team; the umpire will drop the ball where it was when the whistle was blown and when teams are ready will call ‘play’ after a further 5 seconds. The player taking the hit must hit the ball within 5 seconds without replacing the ball. If the team fails to play the ball within the 5 seconds a Penalty 5a WILL be awarded against them. • Within the 60 yard line in favour of the attacking team; the umpires may award the appropriate restart and the player may reposition the ball. The rules for Penalty 2,3, 4, and 6 will apply. Play may be restarted with a fair play dropped ball if:
Fair Play. No foul has been called and the umpires have stopped the game before play is neutral with one team in possession of the ball or with clear advantage, and unchallenged by any opposing player.
Change of Play. An umpire or their pony cause a significant ‘Change of Play’ and the umpires consider one team to have a clear advantage when the ‘Change of Play’ occurred, in which case they may award a ‘Change of Play Dropped Ball’ to the team that had clear advantage at the time. If the Change of Play disadvantages a team the game will be stopped and restarted with a throw in.
No Foul Advantage. A foul is blown when a player has a clear advantage and subsequently NO FOUL is given if umpires themselves agree after consultation that there was no foul or by a majority decision. If third man is undecided, then a throw in shall be used to restart the game.