NEWS

2018 International Rule Changes

9. BALL OUT OF PLAY OF SIDELINES

c.) After the ball is hit across the side boards or side line and no foul is awarded:
i.) If the ball is hit across the side boards or side line either directly or off the hitter’s horse or a teammate or teammate’s horse, or after glancing off the side boards, a free hit will be awarded to the team that did not hit the ball out.
ii.) If the ball is hit across the side boards or side line after glancing off a member of the opposing team or his horse, a free hit will be awarded to the team that last hit the ball.
iii.) If the ball goes out of play between the two 60-yard lines, the free hit will be taken from where the ball went out of play.
iv.) If the ball goes out of play on or inside the 60-yard line and the free hit is awarded to the defending team, the free hit will be taken where the ball went out of play.
v.) If the ball goes out of play on or inside the 60-yard line and the free hit is awarded to the attacking team, the free hit will be taken from the 60-yard line.
iv.) In each of the situations described in (i) through (iv) above, the Umpire shall count 8 seconds and drop a ball 5 yards inside the side boards or side line, and a member of the team awarded possession shall have 5 seconds to play the ball, either by tapping or hitting away. The same is true in the situation described in (v) above, except that a member of the team awarded possession must play the ball by hitting to goal or to a teammate, but not by tapping. In all of the above situations, the same procedures concerning player positioning and delays shall apply as those that apply to a Penalty 5.a.