Rule 28 · HPA Blue Book 2026
The player with the ball may carry on down the line of the ball to hit it on their offside, and the rule sets out what happens when the ball or the line changes.
RIGHT OF WAY. A player with possession is entitled to continue down the LOB to hit the ball on their offside unless they are subjected to a legitimate play.
HPA · UK · Blue Book 2026
Foul
Foul on White 3. A player in possession may continue down the line of the ball and hit it on his offside. The HPA guidelines picture his right of way as a lane about five feet wide, from the ball to his nearside leg, and say that narrowing it, at any speed, is shading and is blown at once. White 3 pulls into that lane ahead of Blue 1 and makes him check.
Rule 28 · Annex G 12c — Hurlingham Polo Association
Ball Deflected. If one or more players are riding on the LOB with possession and for any reason the ball is unexpectedly deflected for a short distance, those players retain the right to play the ball if they are still able to do so without changing direction, and if not, to continue for a short distance on the original LOB. They may not make a play on the ball if another player is established on the new LOB.
Changing the LOB.
If a player suddenly changes the LOB towards, into or under an opposing player, that player must clear the new LOB and may not make a play; but the player in possession must allow the opposing player to do so. The player in possession will foul if they ride into them to claim a foul for themself.
A player in possession with the ball on their offside may move the ball at any angle to their left and a trailing opponent only has a nearside play.
Hitting Past a Player. If a player in possession hits the ball past an opposing player riding on the same line and at the same speed, that opposing player has the right to play the ball on their offside provided they do not cross the player following. The player following must not ride into them from behind.
Delay of Play. A player in possession of the ball when marked by an opposing player must keep moving the ball. Should they stop or reduce to a walk or walking speed they may tap the ball only once and thereafter they or any member of their team must within 5 seconds either hit the ball away or run with it. The umpire may call ‘5 seconds’ or ‘use it’ if in position to do so. A player is considered to be marked when an opposing player is within two ponies’ lengths of their own and the player in possession is neither being blocked nor ridden off and therefore has the freedom to continue down the LOB.
Turning and Play on the Boards. The first player to the ball may not turn in front of a player on the LOB but if the player following checks or reduces speed the first player may then turn the ball in either direction providing that they maintain speed and continue the play. If the play is on the boards, the player once they have turned must keep going in their chosen direction.