Rule 35 · HPA Blue Book 2026
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Behaviour by players, teams or their staff that is inappropriate or brings polo into disrepute, with examples.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT. No player, team or member of a team’s organisation may behave in a way which is inappropriate or risks bringing the game into disrepute. The following are examples of what may be considered to be unsportsmanlike conduct. Any of the below may lead to the umpires awarding a technical penalty, a yellow flag or a red flag in addition to any penalty already awarded:
Showing disrespect or using vulgar or abusive language or gestures to any official, player, coach, or spectator. This includes continuing to appeal or argue with the umpires or officials, verbally, by gesture or with a stick.
Excessive appealing by a player when not directly involved in the play.
Seizing with the hand any part of another player or another players pony or their equipment, or using an arm to prevent an opponent from being able to play a shot or control their pony, or holding a stick in such a way as to interfere with another player or their pony.
Striking another player or another player’s pony with their stick, whip, hand or fist.
Unnecessarily causing delay that is unwarranted or advantageous to the player’s own team before or during a game whether or not the ball is out of play or dead.
Feigning injury to a pony or as a player in order to get play stopped.
Refusing to continue to play or leaving the field of play during the course of a chukka without the permission of the umpires except to change a pony or a stick or for a legitimate run off.
Hitting the ball intentionally and/or recklessly beyond the safety zone or when it is out of play or dead, in such a way that it could cause injury to a spectator or official, or damage to property.
Abuse of a pony; this includes using a whip when the ball is out of play, using a whip or spurs unnecessarily or in excess at any time (see Part 2 Rule 3c), hauling or jabbing a pony in the mouth, putting the welfare of a pony at risk by playing or continuing to play it, or putting a pony and/or others at risk in any way.