Penalty 1
Last updated: August 2026
In the Rulebook
Where “Penalty 1” appears in the official rules of the sport, quoted verbatim.
HPA — Hurlingham Polo Association
“Penalty 1. If the umpires award a Penalty 1 or a goal as a result of a foul by a defender, they will instruct the goal judge to wave his flag as if a goal had been scored. 32. Positioning for Free Hits at Goal. Looking onto the field of play, the goal judge should be positioned so that he can see whether the ball passes inside the inner edge of the left-hand goal post. He should be well back so as not interfere with players.”
“Ends shall be changed after every goal; play is restarted with a throw-in on the centre line unless a Penalty 1 has been awarded in which case the restart shall be with a Penalty 5b. The players shall be allowed 25 seconds before the ball shall be thrown in or dropped for a penalty 5b. b. Ends shall also be changed (i) If no goal has been scored by half time.”
“PENALTY 1. If, in the opinion of the umpires, a player commits a dangerous or deliberate foul in the vicinity of goal in order to save a goal, the team fouled shall be awarded one goal. The game shall be resumed with a Penalty 5b in favour of the team fouled, ends having been changed. 40. PENALTY 2 - SPOT OR 30 YARD HIT.”
USPA — United States Polo Association
“The Umpire(s) shall be charged with determining whether or not a Penalty 1 is called for in each instance. Should they elect to do so, the field goal will not count; however, all normal procedures for carrying out the Penalty 1 will be followed. Should they elect not to call a Penalty 1, then they shall count the field goal and resume play at center field with a throw-in. (2) The goal shall not be counted, and the appropriate penalty awarded, if a foul is confirmed against the attacking team. d.”
“SELECTION OF PENALTIES e.1)...INTERPRETATIONS: Penalty 1 is for fouls which prevent the scoring of a goal. The player fouled must have a high probability of scoring. Once such a foul is called, Penalty 1 shall be exacted. The penalty is to award the goal which likely would have been scored. Penalty 1 may be exacted whether or not the goal was actually scored (See Rule 22.c.(1).”
“(1) Penalty 1 shall be exacted for a foul in the vicinity of the goal to prevent the scoring of a goal. (2) At the discretion of the Umpire, either a Penalty 2 or a Penalty 3 shall be exacted for a foul by the defending team that occurs inside the 25-yard line closest to the goal it is defending but which does not qualify for a Penalty 1. (3) If the fouling team is issued a yellow card for a foul committed resulting in a Penalty 2 or during the execution of a Penalty 2, a Penalty 1 shall be awarded to the fouled team. (4) Penalties 5.a and 5.b are to be awarded for fouls that are: (a) Without danger; (b) Inadvertent, not deliberate; (c) Minor advantage or disadvantage to either team.”
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.
Chukka
A period of play in polo, typically lasting 7 minutes. A standard match consists of 4-8 chukkas depending on the level of play.
Knock-in
A restart from the back line after the defending team puts the ball over their own back line. Played by the defenders.
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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