Rules of Polo
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Rule 40 · HPA Blue Book 2026

Penalty 3: 40-yard hit

A free hit at goal from 40 yards, with the defenders starting behind their back line.

  1. 40

    PENALTY 3 - 40 YARD HIT. One free hit 40 yards from the goal line of the team that has fouled opposite the centre of the goal.

    Penalty 3 from above: where the ball is placed and where both teams stand until it is hit (riders drawn larger than scale)
    1. Penalty 3: 40 yd from the goal line, opposite the centre of the goal
    2. The hitting team behind the 40-yard line
    3. The hitter, Blue 1, on the approach
    4. The defending team behind its back line, not between the posts nor behind the goal
    5. The other penalties' spots: P and the penalty's number
    Penalty 3 seen from behind the hitter: the ball on its spot, the hitting team in blue, the defending team in white

  2. 40a

    All of the team taking the hit to be behind the 40 yard line. The free hit shall be taken in one stroke with the intent to score. If the player taking the hit mishits, misdirects or misses the ball, they or any member of their team may only hit or hit at the ball with a half shot, that is with the head of the stick starting the downward swing below the shoulder of the hitter, until the ball has been hit or hit at by a player of the team facing the hit.

  3. 40b

    All of the team facing the hit to be positioned behind their back line and not between the goal posts nor behind the goal until the ball is hit or hit at. Once the hitter is on their final approach to the ball they must not be distracted by the defending team, including unintentionally.

  4. 40c

    Once the ball is in play, no player of the team facing the hit may enter the field through the goal posts during that phase of play.