This in-vitro study finds which hip joint soft tissues act as primary and secondary passive internal and external rotation restraints so that informed decisions can be made about which soft tissues should be preserved or repaired during hip surgery. The capsular ligaments provide primary hip rotation restraint through a complete hip range of motion protecting the labrum from impingement. The labrum and ligamentum teres only provided secondary stability in a limited number of positions. Within the capsule, the iliofemoral lateral arm and ischiofemoral ligaments were primary restraints in two-thirds of the positions tested and so preservation/repair of these tissues should be a priority to prevent excessive hip rotation and subsequent impingement/instability for both the native hip and after hip arthroplasty.