Rules of Polo
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Rule 9 · USPA Rulebook 2026

Goal judges

The flag signals for a goal and for a ball over the end line, and where the goal judge puts the ball for the knock-in.

  1. 9a

    Duties

    In all USPA Events, Goal Judges shall be appointed, each of whom shall give testimony to the Umpire(s) on request concerning goals scored or other points of the game near the goal, but the Umpire(s) shall make all final decisions. When the ball goes over and across the goal line or end line, the Goal Judge shall signal with a flag whether or not a goal has been scored and, if not, shall place a ball on the field at the appropriate spot for a knock-in, unless the Umpire blows the whistle to indicate a Safety as provided in Rule 21.a.

    The officials: two mounted umpires and a referee (or three mounted umpires), a goal judge at each goal, and the timekeeper. The rules set no place for the referee or the timekeeper.
    1. Two mounted umpires, or three without a referee
    2. A goal judge at each goal, with a flag
    3. Referee: place not set by the rules
    4. Timekeeper: place not set by the rules

  2. 9b

    Placing the ball

    When the ball is hit across the end line, a Goal Judge should quickly place a new ball on level ground on the field within one foot of the spot where it crossed the line except that it must not be nearer than five yards to the goal posts or side boards. The position of Goal Judge is potentially dangerous and these Officials should be instructed to remain alert and wave their flags vigorously to avoid being trampled. A Goal Judge should wave the flag overhead to signal a goal scored until acknowledged by the Scorer, and at the feet to signal the ball going over and across the end line. The flag should be kept down and furled until a goal is scored or the ball crosses the end line. An Umpire may order a Goal Judge to signal a goal for a penalty without the ball having actually passed through the goal.

  3. 9 example

    Blue #2 turns for a back shot along the boards from Red #4. As the ball is backed, Blue #2 gets on the new line. He dribbles the ball parallel to the end line 30 yards out from goal, pursued by Red #3. Blue #2 takes a neck shot hitting the ball high in the air. The flagman is unable to maneuver in time and is not sure whether the ball might be over the goal post. Blue claims the shot is a goal and Red argues the ball is wide and no goal is scored. The Umpires, nor the Referee, were in position to make the call. The Umpires shall award a knock-in to the Red Team, as the benefit of the doubt shall go to the defending team.