Rule 25 · USPA Rulebook 2026

Stopping on the ball

When a player who has entered another's right of way may slow down or stop in it, and the rule against stalling with the ball.

1. 25a

   Slowing on the ball's past path

   Subject to Rule 24.h, a player who has safely entered the Right of Way of another player along the established path that the ball has already traveled and who is following the ball may slow down or stop in that Right of Way, provided that players approaching from behind have sufficient time to go around. A player is considered to have entered along the “established path that the ball has already traveled” as opposed to the “projected path that the ball has yet to travel” once the ball is ahead of that player’s stirrup. This is true even if the player enters the projected path first, and the ball subsequently passes that 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 the stirrup.

2. 25b

   No stopping on the ball's future path

   A player who has safely entered the Right of Way of another player along the projected path that the ball has yet to travel, whether meeting or following the ball, may not slow down or stop in that other player’s Right of Way.

   • Line of the ball
   • Right of way (width not set by this rulebook — drawn schematically)
   • Ball
   • Foul

   What happens

   1. 0.3 s Blue 1 hits the ball.
   2. 1.4 s White 2 crosses the line of the ball well ahead of Blue 1.
   3. 3.6 s White 2 stops on the line in front of Blue 1.
   4. 3.9 s Whistle.

   USPA · USA · Rulebook 2026

   Foul

   Foul on White 2. A player who safely enters the right of way ahead of the ball, on the path it has yet to travel, may not slow down or stop in it, and nobody may stop to let the ball pass his stirrup. White 2 stops with the ball still behind him, and Blue 1 has to check.

   Rule 25a · 25b — United States Polo Association

3. 25c

   Delay of game

   Delay of Game: A player in possession of the ball, marked by approximately 2 horse lengths or less by an opposing player, must keep moving if he or she is neither being blocked nor ridden off and therefore has the freedom to continue along the Right of Way. Should the player in possession of the ball either stop or reduce his or her speed to a walk, he or she may tap the ball only once and thereafter he or she (or any member of his or her team) must, within 5 seconds, either hit away or run with the ball. An infraction of this rule will result in a penalty against the team in possession of the ball.

4. 25c interpretation

   The purpose of this rule is to keep the play moving. If the player stops or checks because an opponent has infringed or entered the right of way, a foul should be called against the opponent.