Chukka
Last updated: August 2026
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.”
“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).”
“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.”
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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
More Rules Terms
View allHandicap
A rating system from -2 to 10 goals that indicates a player's skill level. A 10-goal player is at the highest level of the sport.
In the air
A ball that has not yet touched the ground. Different right-of-way and contact rules apply while the ball is airborne.
Line of the Ball
An imaginary line created by the ball's path of travel. Players have right-of-way based on this line, which is fundamental to polo rules.
Knock-in
A restart from the back line after the defending team puts the ball over their own back line. Played by the defenders.
Penalty 1
The most severe penalty: an automatic goal awarded to the fouled team plus a 60-yard hit from where the foul occurred. Issued for deliberate dangerous fouls.
Timekeeper
The official responsible for tracking game time, signaling chukka ends with a horn, and managing clock stoppages.
Red Card
Immediate ejection from the match for serious misconduct. The player cannot be replaced.
Crossing
Cutting in front of a player who has the right of way to the ball. Crossing is a foul because it forces the right-of-way player to abruptly slow or veer.
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