CROSSING. No player shall cross another player who has precedence except at such a distance that not the slightest risk of collision or danger to any player is involved.
Line of the ball
Right of way (width not set by this rulebook — drawn schematically)
Ball
Foul
What happens
Blue 1 hits the ball.
White 3 crosses the line of the ball in front of Blue 1.
Whistle.
HPA · UK · Blue Book 2026
Foul
Blue 1 is following the line of the ball with the ball on his offside, so he has the right of way. He has it because of where he rides, not because he hit the ball: hitting it last gives no right of way to a player who then leaves the line. White 3 rides across that line about a length in front of him, close enough to risk a collision. Crossing a player who has the right of way is a foul unless there is no risk at all. The HPA guidelines picture the right of way as a lane about five feet wide, from the ball to the player's nearside leg.
Rule 26 · 27b · 27f · Annex G 12c — Hurlingham Polo Association
Line of the ball
Right of way (width not set by this rulebook — drawn schematically)
Ball
Foul
What happens
Blue 1 hits the ball.
White 3 crosses the line of the ball well ahead of Blue 1.
HPA · UK · Blue Book 2026
No foul
No foul. Blue 1 has the right of way: he follows the line of the ball with the ball on his offside. White 3 crosses that line far enough ahead that there is not the slightest risk of collision, which is what the rule asks. How far is far enough is the umpire's judgement: the rulebook gives no distance.