Rule 50 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Awarding of flags
When umpires show yellow and red flags, what a sin bin and a sending-off mean, and how flags add up across matches.
AWARDING OF FLAGS. A flag may be awarded in addition to any penalty awarded for the breach of any rule but will usually be awarded for dangerous play, unsportsmanlike conduct or persistent breach of the rules. Where a flag is awarded for unsportsmanlike conduct after foul, the penalty shall be moved up the field. The umpires must agree that a player should be awarded a flag and, if not in agreement, consult with the referee whose decision shall be final. The umpires must obtain the acknowledgement of the player(s) awarded the flag and their team captain(s). Once a yellow flag has been awarded it is possible for the player(s) to be awarded a technical foul, should the officials agree that a second yellow flag in that instance is not an appropriate punishment.
Red Flag.
A player may be awarded a red flag at any stage, including for either a first offence or an offence after the final chukka has ended. A red flag shall be awarded if a player leaves a game before the final bell without the permission of the umpire. A red flag shall count as two yellow flags for accumulation purposes.
A player awarded a red flag shall be sent off for the rest of the match. After 2 minutes of playing time, the sent off player may be substituted. If the player has been awarded a red flag for leaving the game before the final bell without the permission of the umpires, they may not be substituted.
A report with details of the incident shall be completed by the umpires and referee and a statement by the player shall be obtained by the club and submitted to the HPA within 12 hours.
A player awarded a red flag may be suspended for up to 3 matches or referred to a Disciplinary hearing but shall be suspended for their next 2 matches in the tournament subject to confirmation by the DRP which may decrease or increase the suspension and/or direct that the player will start future matches on a yellow flag. This may be specified by number, tournament or time frame. In the case of suspension, the rules for a team change shall apply. If awarded during or after the last match in the tournament, and no matches are available in the equivalent level the suspension shall apply to another match or matches of nearly equivalent standing as decided by the HPA. A player receiving a red flag with no matches left to play at VL level will be reviewed by the DRP and will be fined a minimum of £2000.
Yellow Flag and Sin Bin.
A player may be awarded one yellow flag for an offence or, if the umpires consider the offence deserving of sin-binning, two yellow flags may be awarded for a single offence.
A player shall be sin-binned if they are awarded a second yellow flag as above or if they have either already been awarded one or started on a yellow in that game. A player may be sin-binned several times within a chukka and/or game.
The player who is sin binned under these provisions shall go to a location as designated by the host club (the sin bin) or return to the pony lines if permitted by the umpires, where they shall remain for two minutes of playing time and must not interfere with the game in any way.
The referee or timekeeper will fly a flag during this period and as soon as it is lowered the player may re-join the game once they are in an on-side position. This may run across two chukkas or, in a VL tournament only, may run into the next match of that tournament.
The umpires and the referee must agree that a player should be awarded a single yellow flag, or two yellow flags.
If a player has time left in the sin bin following the end of the tournament and it is their first offence of this nature, then a £150 fine is awarded. For their second offence, a £500 fine is awarded and for any offences beyond that they shall be referred to the DRP.
If a double yellow flag is awarded after the final whistle (for a period of up to 30 mins after the game) then the player shall start the next game in that tournament on a yellow flag. If it is the last game that player plays in the tournament, and it is their first offence of this nature, then a £150 fine is awarded. For their second offence a £500 fine is awarded, and for any offences beyond that they shall be referred to the DRP.
Reporting and Accumulation of Yellow Flags. All reports of yellow flags are to be entered into Lineup by the HPA Pro 3rd man in the first instance or an umpire.
If a player accumulates four such yellow flags (22 goal VL exceptions apply see below) the player will start the next four VL matches on a yellow flag or matches as decided by the HPA if those matches are not due to be played. Thus, any yellow flag incurred during those games shall result in a sin bin as a minimum. The player concerned shall continue to start on a yellow until they have provided to the HPA the form available from the HPA with details of the games played (date and tournament) and any further flags incurred, signed off by the host club. For 22 goal Victor Ludorum tournaments, the following rules for the accumulation of yellow flags will apply: • Players will start each high-goal tournament without any yellow flag that a player may have incurred in other VL tournaments. If a player incurs 3 yellow flags in one high-goal tournament, that player will start all further matches in that tournament on a yellow flag. • Any yellow flag incurred by a player in any 22 VL goal tournament will be counted towards the player’s total of yellow flags incurred to date in all 22-goal and/or VL tournaments. • If a player incurs a red flag in any high-goal tournament, Rule 50a will apply.
If a player accumulates 6 such yellow flags in all VL matches or 4 yellow flags in a single 22 VL goal tournament the DRP shall review the conduct of the player and may direct that they shall: • Start all remaining VL games in the season on a yellow and/or; • Be suspended for the next 2 VL games and/or; • Be fined £2000 and £200 per yellow flag thereafter.
Disciplinary Review Panel.
The Disciplinary Review Panel (DRP) will consist of a panel of five persons appointed by the Chief Executive of the HPA from time to time and will normally be chaired by the Disciplinary Officer. The function of the DRP is to review a player’s conduct in any of the 22 goal or VL tournaments of 4 goals and above as and when it thinks fit.
Appeals. A player may only appeal a decision of the Disciplinary Review Panel if the suspension has been increased or is as a result of an accumulation of yellow flags as set out at paragraphs 50a and 50c above. Such appeal shall be to an HPA Board as provided for in paragraph 5 of Part 3 of The HPA Rules and Regulations for Polo as if the decision of the Disciplinary Review Panel had been a decision of a Club Board. The HPA Board shall have the powers provided for in paragraph 5b and its decision shall be subject to appeal to an Appeal Board as provided for in paragraph 8 of Part 3. The provisions of paragraph 9 of Part 3 shall also apply in relation to costs and fines.