Rule 10 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Duration of chukkas
A chukka lasts 7 minutes plus up to 30 seconds, with special endings for the last chukka and extra time, and the clock stops only on the whistle.
Normal Chukka. Except for the final chukka or extra time, each chukka shall be a maximum of 7 1/2 minutes. After 7 minutes, the first bell will be rung to indicate that up to 30 seconds remain. If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow their whistle to end the chukka. Otherwise, after the first bell is sounded, the chukka will end when there is a break in play or when the second bell is rung. If a foul is awarded, the penalty shall be taken at the beginning of the next chukka.
A four-chukka game: each chukka 7 minutes and up to 30 seconds more; intervals of 3 minutes, and 5 at half time. Final Chukka. In the final chukka, the game will end on the first sound of the 7 minute bell unless the teams are tied. If tied, play will continue until either a goal is scored or awarded or until the first sound of the second bell. If a whistle is blown for a penalty during the last 5 seconds of the last chukka, 5 seconds shall be allowed for the execution of any penalty. If ‘no foul’ is agreed, then play shall continue only for the time remaining when the whistle was blown.
Extra Time. If a result is required and the score is still tied, the game will continue with an extra chukka. It will start where the previous chukka ended and shall be played until a goal is scored to determine the game (sudden death or golden goal) or the second bell is sounded as in Rule 10b above. At the start of the chukka when goals are widened a coin toss shall decide the direction of the teams and the ball shall be thrown in from the T where the game was started. In the second and subsequent chukkas after goals have been widened the play is restarted where the previous chukka ended. See also Part 2, Annex D Widened Goals and Penalty Shoot Outs.
Stopping of the Clock. The clock shall be stopped only if the umpire blows their whistle. If stopped, the clock shall be restarted when the ball is put back into play. Otherwise, play shall be continuous, and the clock shall not be stopped.