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    Featured Term

    Chukka

    Last updated: August 2026

    Full Definition

    Un período de juego de polo, que normalmente dura 7 minutos. Un partido estándar consta de 4-8 chukkas dependiendo del nivel de juego.

    Related Terms

    In the Rulebook

    Where “Chukka” appears in the official rules of the sport, quoted verbatim.

    HPA — Hurlingham Polo Association

    “DURATION OF CHUKKAS. a. Normal Chukka. Except for the final chukka or extra time, each chukka shall be a maximum of 7 1/2 minutes. After 7 minutes, the first bell will be rung to indicate that up to 30 seconds remain. If the ball is out of play when the bell is rung, the umpire will blow his whistle to end the chukka. Otherwise, after the first bell is sounded, the chukka will end when there is a break in play or when the second bell is rung.”
    HPA Rules of Polo (Blue Book)View source (PDF)
    “18. RESTART AFTER INTERVAL BETWEEN CHUKKAS. On play being resumed after an interval, the ball shall be put into play in the same manner and position in which it would have been had there been no interval unless ends have been changed in which case play is re-started at a position corresponding to where the previous chukka ended (Rule 14).”
    HPA Rules of Polo (Blue Book)View source (PDF)
    “Between Chukkas. Between chukkas he must remain alert to players coming onto the ground to stick and ball and the umpires coming to replenish their ball bags. He should tread-in in front of his own goal, especially at half time, and collect up any stray balls. 28. Umpires Whistle. The goal judge must also be on the alert for an umpire's whistle which will render the ball dead.”
    HPA Rules of Polo (Blue Book)View source (PDF)

    USPA — United States Polo Association

    “The horn shall be sounded two minutes before each period (also referred to as a "chukker") as a warning of its commencement, and two horns shall sound at the time each period is to commence. b. In each period of the game, at the end of 7 minutes of elapsed time, a single horn or bell will sound to indicate that up to 30 seconds of overtime remain in the period.”
    2024 USPA Outdoor RulesView source (PDF)
    “When using this option, the use of one Umpire and either the four chukker format with a stoppage in the middle of the chukker or the six 5-minute chukker format is recommended. When play is begun with a free hit by the team against which a goal was scored: (1) After a goal is scored, the ball is put into play promptly within 5 seconds after the Umpire calls "PLAY." (2) No defender may be within 5 yards of the ball when it is hit or hit at. (3) Should the defending team not position itself properly, a Penalty 5.”
    2024-2025 USPA Arena RulesView source (PDF)
    “The player arrives two minutes into the second chukker. The player may enter the game at the end of the period and complete the game. Three minutes into the first chukker a player requests a time out when the ball is out of play. The player advises the Umpire that he is unable to continue. The Umpire must assume the player is injured or ill and permit up to 15 minutes for an alternate to enter the game. If the player quits without notifying the Umpire, play will resume and no time out allowed.”
    2024-2025 USPA Arena RulesView source (PDF)

    Excerpts quoted from the official rulebooks of the Hurlingham Polo Association, the United States Polo Association and the Federation of International Polo. Rules change between seasons — always check the linked source for the current wording.

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