Rule 12 · USPA 2026 Arena Rules
Who has the right of way in the arena, how a change of line is cleared, and the special cases along the walls and for two players riding together.
At each moment of the game there shall exist as between any two or more players in the proximity of the ball a Right of Way, which gives to the player entitled to it the right to proceed in the direction in which the player is riding.
No player may enter, cross or obstruct the Right of Way of the player entitled to it unless at such a distance that no risk of collision or danger to either player is involved.
When the Line of the Ball changes, and, as a result, the Right of Way changes, a player must be granted the necessary time to clear the new Right of Way. A player clearing the Right of Way may make no offensive or defensive play in doing so.
Subject to Rule 12.g, no player may have the ball other than on the offside or the offside of the player’s course, if in so doing an opponent is endangered who could have safely attempted a play had the original player kept the ball on the offside, or the offside of that player’s course. This subsection takes precedence over 12.e and 12.f below.
Subject to Rule 12.g, each of two players, when one is following and the other meeting the ball, must ride with the Line of the Ball on the offside until they have passed.
USPA Arena · USA · Arena Rules 2026
No foul
No foul: White 1 gives way. When one player follows the ball and another meets it, each must ride with the line of the ball on the offside until they have passed. Blue 2 already has it on his offside. White 1 could only put it on his own offside by crossing in front of Blue 2, which would be dangerous, so the rule gives him no play at all. He pulls out and lets Blue 2 through.
Rule 12e · 12e note — United States Polo Association
(Note: A player who cannot be placed with the Line on the offside, or maintain the Line on the offside until the opponent has safely passed, without dangerously crossing the oncoming opponent who already has the Line of the Ball on the offside has no play at all.)
As between two players when both are following or both are meeting the ball:
The player riding parallel to or at the lesser angle to the Line of the Ball has the Right of Way over the player riding at the greater angle to the Line of the Ball.
In the case of two players on opposite sides of the Line of the Ball at equal angles to the Line of the Ball, both players have a Right of Way up to the Line of the Ball or until the angle of one becomes less than the angle of the other.
A player waiting on the projected line for the ball must yield the Right of Way to a player following the course the ball has already traveled.
A player riding at safe speed and distance ahead of the player carrying the ball shall assume the Right of Way if the ball is hit up and passes the lead player’s stirrup. However, the player may not slow down or stop in another player’s Right of Way in order to allow the ball to pass his stirrup.
Subject to Rule 12.i, when playing the ball along the side or end wall, if the distance of the ball from the wall does not permit an offside play, a player who is both at the least angle to the Line of the Ball and following the direction of the Ball shall have the Right of Way even though playing the ball on the near side.
Subject to Rule 12.i, the player with the Right of Way may play the ball at any speed and any player approaching from the rear must go around.
A player may not check suddenly so as to cause a following player to collide.
A player carrying the ball along the boards has a further obligation to maintain pace.
Two opponents riding together on, or at an angle to, the Line have the Right of Way over a single player riding at an equal or greater angle to the Line regardless of whether the opponents are meeting or following the direction of travel of the ball.
USPA Arena · USA · Arena Rules 2026
No foul
No foul: Blue 2 and White 3 give way. Two opponents riding together have the right of way over a single player only when they are at an equal or lesser angle to the line of the ball than he is. White 1 rides on the line itself and the pair come in at a greater angle, so the single player keeps the right of way. This is the third example the rulebook gives under rule 12i; its Red players are White here.
Rule 12i · 12i interpretation · 12f(1) — United States Polo Association
When the line and Right of Way change, for whatever reason, a player obstructing the new Right of Way must be given a chance to move off that Right of Way. An opponent who picks up the new Right of Way before it can be cleared and creates a dangerous situation has committed a foul. The obstructing player may not play the ball or the opponent and must select the route which most effectively clears the Right of Way. The obstructing player must simply get out of the way. The opponent must permit safe passage. A player who changes the Line of the Ball in front of an opponent may not assume the Right of Way except at such distance as does not create a risk of collision or danger to either player or opponent.
Blue executes a flip shot to the right creating a new line, checks, turns and prepares to follow the new line. Red, following, is unable to check and turn so follows the old line until clear of the play. Blue must hold up to let Red clear. Red must ride through to avoid fouling. Red fouls if he makes a play on the ball. Blue hits the ball forward. The ball lands on a divot and bounces to the side. Red, previously out of the play, may now meet the ball fairly and assume the Right of Way. Blue can check and turn to remain safely out of Red’s new path, but elects to ride through so as to be better positioned to defend Red’s run down the arena. Foul on Blue for not taking the most immediate exit from the old Right of Way. Blue flips the ball to the side under Red’s mount. Red, trapped on the new Right of Way spurs his mount to clear the way. As he rides clear, his mount kicks the ball spoiling the follow up play for Blue. No foul. The kicked ball is a bad break for Blue, but is treated as just another line change. Red was not “making a play” when the ball was kicked. A new line catches Red on the Right of Way. Red moves properly to clear the Right of Way and in moving off, his mount kicks the ball creating another line change and placing Red safely on a new Right of Way. Red may play the ball. The new line creates a new Right of Way and a new situation. A quick line change traps Blue on the Right of Way. Blue checks and pulls off to the right clearing the way for Red who has held up to avoid a collision. As Red moves on the new, and now clear Right of Way, Blue executes a nearside hook and then plays the ball. Foul on Blue. Blue was given time to clear and may not take advantage of that privilege. Blue holds up to permit Red to clear a new line. Red clears properly, but Red’s teammate uses the opportunity to ride up and hook Blue. No foul, just the breaks of the game. Blue holds up so Red #2 can clear a new line. Red clears slowly to give his teammate time to ride up and hook. Foul Red #2. This is “making a play.”
The player with the Right of Way may not create risk by checking suddenly. Along the wall, this obligation is greater, due to the close quarters.
Two opponents are considered to be “riding together” when their concentration is on each other and not on another player riding from another direction. The two MUST be at an equal or lesser angle to the Line of the Ball to have the Right of Way.
Blue #2 carries the ball and Red #3 rides with her attempting a nearside hook. Blue #1 meets the play with the Line of the Ball on her right. Foul Blue #1. Even though Red #3 was on the nearside, she was engaged with Blue #2 and the two players on the Line of the Ball have the Right of Way. Blue #1 dribbles the ball. Red #3 waits on the nearside for Blue to reach him and the two ride together on the Line of the Ball. Blue #2 sees that his teammate is in trouble and rides to meet intending to force Red #3 out of the play. Foul Blue #2. Red #3 and Blue #1 had engaged, were making a play against each other, and were concentrating on each other prior to Blue #2 entering the play. As Red #1 follows the Line of the Ball down the arena, Blue #2 and Red #3 ride at an angle from Red #1’s right. Red #1 has the Right of Way as he is at a lesser angle to the Line of the Ball than the two opponents.