Federation of International Polo Polo Rules (contd.)

F.8 BALL HIT OUT

1. The ball shall go over and clear of the side lines or boards to be out of play.
2. When the ball is hit over the boards or side line, it must be bowled in underhand and hard, by the umpire into the field of play from a point just inside the boards or lines where it went out, on an imaginary line parallel to the two goals, and between the opposing ranks of players, each team being on its own side of the imaginary line. No player may stand within 5 yards of the umpire. Players must remain stationary until the ball has left the umpire's hand. A reasonable time must be allowed for players to line up. (See F.5 (b)).

F.9 RE-STARTING WHEN THE BALL WAS NOT OUT
If for any reason the game has to be stopped without the ball going out of play, it shall be re-started in the following manner. The umpire shall stand at the spot where the ball was when the incident occurred, facing the nearer side of the field of play, but not nearer the boards or side line than 20 yards. Both teams shall take up their positions, each team being on its own side of an imaginary line, parallel to the goal lines and extending through the umpire to the sides of the grounds. No player may stand within 5 yard s of the umpire. The umpire shall bowl the ball underhand and hard, between the opposing ranks of players, towards the nearer side of the ground, the players remaining stationary until the ball has left his hand. (See F.5 (b)).

F.10 RE-STARTING AFTER INTERVAL
On play being resumed after an interval, the ball shall be put in play in the normal manner which would have been allowed had there been no interval, i.e. in accordance with Rules F.4, 6, 7 and 9, as the case may be. The umpires must not wait for players who are late.

F.11 DAMAGED BALL 
If the ball is damaged or trodden into the ground, the umpire shall stop the game and re-start it with a new ball, in the manner described in Rule F.9. The game shall be stopped and the ball changed when the damaged ball is in such a position that neither team is favoured thereby. Until the game is stopped, the larger part of a broken ball is the one considered to be in play; if the ball breaks when a penalty is being taken and it effects the free hit, the penalty shall be taken again with the new ball.

F.12 CARRYING THE BALL
A player may not catch, kick or hit the ball with anything but his stick. He may block with any part of his body but not with an open hand. He may not carry the ball. If the ball becomes lodged against a player, his pony or its equipment, in such a way that it cannot be dropped immediately, the umpire shall blow his whistle and re-start the game in accordance with Rule F.9 at the point where it was first carried.

F.13 WHEN THE GAME IS NOT STOPPED
It shall be within the discretion of the umpire not to stop the game for the purpose of inflicting a penalty, if the stopping of the game and the inflicting of the penalty would be a disadvantage to the fouled team.

F.14 UNFINISHED GAME
Once a game has started it shall be played to a finish unless stopped by the umpire for some unavoidable cause which prevents a finish the same day, such as darkness or weather, in which case it shall be resumed at the point at which it has stopped, as to score, period and position of the ball, at the earliest convenient time, to be decided upon by the committee conducting the tournament.

G. LINE OF BALL

G.1 The line of the ball is the line of its course or that line produced at any moment.

G.2 When the Line of the Ball changes and, as a result the Right of Way changes, a player must be granted the necessary time to clear the new Right of Way.

G.3 A player clearing the Right of Way may make no offensive or defensive play in so doing and must take the most effective way to clear that Right of Way.

G.4 If in the process of clearing the line a pony kicks the ball, this is not considered making a play.

H. RIGHT OF WAY

H.1 At each moment of the game there shall exist as between any 2 or more players in the proximity of the ball a Right of Way, which shall be considered to extend ahead of the player entitled to it, and in the direction in which that player is riding.

H.2 The Right of Way entitles a player to take the ball on the offside, but see H.9 (a). No player may have the ball directly in front of or on the near-side if by so doing an opponent is endangered who could have safely attempted to hook that player's stick or to hit the ball had the original player been placed with the ball on the offside. This subsection takes precedence over the subsections 7 and 8 below.

H.3 The Right of Way is not identical to and must not be confused with the Line of the Ball. The Line of the Ball is a frame of reference for the Right of Way. The last striker has no automatic Right of Way to the next play. 

H.4 No player shall enter or cross this Right of Way except at such a distance that not the slightest risk of collision or danger to any player is involved.

H.5 Two players when riding in the same direction on the Line of the Ball, either following or meeting the ball, and simultaneously making a play against each other, have the Right of Way over a single player coming from any direction.

H.6 The player following the ball and nearest to it on its exact line and taking it on his off-side, is entitled to the Right of Way over all other players, except against 2 players as defined in H.5 above. 

H.7 A player may have the ball on the near-side if any of the following conditions are met:-

1. A legal ride off has been executed.
2. The opponent is travelling parallel and level, or nearly parallel and level to the player. Players are considered level when the mounts are overlapped on one another. If an opponent moves ahead so that the player nearer the Line of the Ball is no longer level, that player must switch to the offside giving the opponent a near-side play; this does not permit the opponent to endanger the player.
3. If the opponent is far enough behind for the player to safely complete the play.

H.8 As between 2 players, when one is following the ball and the other meeting the ball:-

1. Regardless of their respective angles, a player following the ball has the Right of Way over an opponent meeting the ball, other than an opponent meeting the ball with the line of the ball on the offside, who is on the exact line of the ball who has not crossed and does not subsequently cross the Line of the Ball at an unsafe distance in front of the player following the ball. An opponent meeting the ball in this fashion has the Right of Way over a player following the ball at an angle.
2. Once safely placed with the ball on the offside, a player following the Line of the Ball has the Right of Way over an opponent meeting the ball. The opponent meeting the ball may do so only if he keeps the Line of the Ball on his offside throughout the play and does not infringe the player's Right of Way.

H.9 As between 2 players, when both are following or both are meeting the ball:-

1. The player riding parallel to or at the lesser angle to the line of the ball has the Right of Way over the opponent riding at the greater angle to the Line of the Ball.
2. If the line of the ball is on the near side of both players and they are not riding level, the player nearer the line of the ball must play it on his off-side and allow his opponent a near-side play.
3. In the rare case of 2 players on opposite sides of the Line of the Ball riding at exactly equal angles to it, both players have the Right of Way up to the line until the angle of one to the line becomes less than the angle of the other.

I. CHECKING

I.1 No player may check or pull up either on or across the Right of Way if by so doing he runs the slightest risk of collision with any other player entitled to it.

I.2 A player may check and play the ball at a reduced speed provided any other players following on that Right of Way have time to adjust and there is no risk of a collision.

I.3 If a player enters safely on the Right of Way and does not check, an opponent must not ride into him from behind, but must take the ball on the near side of his pony.

I.4 (a) A player in possession of the ball on the Right of Way with an opponent in a position to attempt a defensive play must not walk or stop. Should the player walk or stop, the umpire must blow the whistle and throw the ball in towards the nearer sideboards or sidelines.

I.4 (b) If the offensive player stops as a result of a Right of Way foul, that foul shall be called against the opponent and play resumed with the appropriate penalty.

J. DANGEROUS RIDING
A player may not ride in a manner which creates danger to another pony, player or official or which places the welfare of his own pony at undue risk. A player must be travelling at a similar speed to the opponent and all ride-offs must be shoulder to shoulder. In particular a player may not:

1. Ride off at too great an angle. 
2. Ride off at a speed that is not compatible with the speed of the opponent.
3. Ride into an opponent behind the saddle.
4. Ride an opponent across or into th e Right of Way of another player at an unsafe distance.
5. Ride off an opponent who is already being ridden off by another member of the team (Sandwiching). However, it is not a foul for a player to hook or strike an opponent's stick whilst the opponent is being ridden-off by a team mate of the player hooking or striking.
6. Continue to ride off another player over the goal line, thereby endangering a goal judge.
7. Ride his mount up into the backhand stroke of another player from behind.
8. Ride his mount up the line of the ball from behind and into the stroke of an opponent making a full forehand shot.
9. Use his pony to spoil a shot by riding over the ball and into an opposing player who has already started the downward swing of a full shot.
10. Zigzag in front of another player in such a way as to impede his progress within his Right of Way or cause the latter either to have to check his pace or risk a fall.
11. Pull across or over a pony's legs either in front or behind in such a manner as to risk tripping either pony. 
12. A player who rides at an opponent in such a manner as to intimidate and cause him to pull out or miss his stroke, although no foul or cross actually occurs, shall be penalized as if it had. 

K. USE OF THE WHIP/SPURS

K.1 (a) Whips and/or spurs may not be used unnecessarily or excessively.

K.1 (b) Polo clubs and umpires must ensure that, save for exceptional circumstances, whips are not used to strike ponies on the field of play except when the ball is in play.

K.1 (c) Umpires should at least start the game with a Penalty 5 (b) if a player strikes a pony on the field of play after the umpires have ridden on to the field of play and before the ball is in play.

K.1 (d) A player must not strike another player or his pony with his whip.

L. ROUGH OR ABUSIVE PLAY

L.1 No player may seize with the hand, strike or push with the head, hand, arm, or elbow, but a player may push with the arm above the elbow, provided the elbow is kept close to the side.

L.2 No player may physically abuse another player or the player's own or another player's pony.

L.3 A player deliberately striking another player or another player's pony with hand, whip or stick shall be ejected from the remainder of the game with no substitution in accordance with Penalty 10 and the incident shall be reported by the umpire to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee.

M. MISUSE OF THE STICK

M.1 No player may hook an opponent's stick, unless he is on the same side of the opponent's pony as the ball, or in a direct line behind, and his stick is neither over or under the body or across the legs of an opponent's pony, nor may any player hook or strike at an opponent's stick unless all of the opponent's stick is below the opponent's shoulder level. The stick may not be hooked or struck unless the opponent is in the act of striking the ball.

M.2 No player may reach immediately over and across or under and across any part of an opponent's pony to strike at the ball, nor may he hit into or amongst the legs of an opponent's pony.

M.3 No player may intentionally strike another player or his pony or another player's pony with his polo stick.

M.4 No player may use his stick dangerously, or hold it in such a way as to interfere with another player or his pony such as:-

1. Taking a full swing at the ball from the throw -in or in a melee in such a way as to endanger other players or ponies.
2. Striking at the ball in the air in such a way as to endanger other players or ponies.
3. Taking a full swing under a pony's neck in such a way as to endanger another player or pony riding alongside.
4. Striking an opponent's stick in such a way as he may cause injury to that player or his pony.
5. Striking the ball after the whistle. 
6. "Windmilling" or "helicoptering".

N. LOSS OR BREAKAGE OF EQUIPMENT

N.1 If a player loses his headgear the umpire shall stop the game as soon as an opportunity occurs that favours neither team.

N.2 In the event of broken tack or equipment:- 

1. The game shall be stopped immediately if the breakage presents a risk to player or pony such as:-
   1. Broken girth.
   2. Broken martingale.
   3. Broken rein, if single.
   4. Broken or loose bit.
   5. Loose bandages or boots.
2. The game should not be stopped immediately, but as soon as an opportunity occurs that favours neither team for breakage of a non-dangerous nature such as:-
   1. Lost or broken stirrup leather or iron.
   2. Lost or broken curb chain.
   3. Lost bandages or boots.
3. When time is given for lost or broken equipment, the player may return on another pony.

O. ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO PLAYER OR PONY

O.1 If a pony falls, goes lame or may be injured, the umpire shall stop the game immediately.

O.2 If a pony throws a shoe, the player may be given time out to change the pony when the game is next stopped.

O.3 If a player falls off his pony the umpire shall not stop the game until the ball is in a neutral position, unless he is of the opinion that the player is injured or is liable to be injured. What constitutes a fall is left to the decision of the umpire.

O.4 A dismounted player may not interfere with the game in any way. 

O.5 When the game has been stopped in accordance with Rules N or O above, the umpire shall re -start the game in the manner laid down in Rule F.9, directly the player concerned is ready to resume play. The umpire shall not wait for any other player who may not be present.

O.6 If a player be injured, a period not exceeding 15 minutes shall be allowed for his recovery. If the injured player is unfit to play after 15 minutes, the game shall be re -started with a substitute in place of the injured player. If, however, the injured player subsequently recovers he may replace the player who was substituted in his place, but the handicap of the higher handicapped player will be counted in accordance with Rule A 2.

O.7 If a player be disabled by a foul, and an eligible substitute cannot be found, the umpire may decide to remove a player from the fouling team. The player removed shall be the one whose handicap is nearest above the disabled player. However, if the disabled player is equal to or higher than that of any of his opponents, the Captain of the team fouled will designate the one to retire. The game shall continue and no change in handicap shall be made: if the team fouling refuses to continue the game, it shall forfeit the game. (See Penalty 10). 

P. SELECTION OF PENALTIES

P.1 There are degrees of dangerous play and unfair play which give the advantage to the team fouling. The penalty to be inflicted is left to the discretion of the umpires and shall only be referred to the referee in the event of the umpires disagreeing on the penalty.

P.2 Personal fouls involving unsportsmanlike conduct such as, but not limited to:-

• Disrespect towards the officials.
• Arguing with the umpires or other officials.
• Foul or abusive language to anybody on the field.
• Appealing for fouls verbally or with a stick.

Must, at a minimum, be penalised progressively as follows:-

• Penalty for first offence.
• A more severe penalty if a penalty has been previously awarded
• Penalty 10(a) will be awarded with a player being excluded from the remainder of the chukker.
• Penalty 10(b) will be awarded with a player being suspended excluded from the remainder of the game.

This does not preclude the umpires imposing awarding Penalty 10(a) or 10(b) at the first offence.

P.3 If in the opinion of the umpire, a player commits a dangerous or deliberate foul in the vicinity of goal in order to save a goal Penalty 1 (goal) will be awarded.

Q. TAKING OF PENALTIES

1. When taking penalties 3, 4, 6 or 5(a) within the 60 yard line, the hitter and his team members, after the initial hit at the ball may not hit or hit at the ball with more than a half stroke, nor may they hit the ball in such a way that the Umpire considers to be dangerous, until the ball has been hit or hit at by an opponent or the whistle blows.
2. Teeing up. Building a tee is not allowed; only one player at a time may position the ball and once the umpires have called 'play', the ball may not be repositioned.
3. In all free hits, the ball shall be considered in play the moment it has been either hit or hit at and missed. The player shall hit the ball, or hit at it, in the first attempt; the striker is not allowed to go over the ball, or circle during the final approach, or do an excessively long preparation run.
4. "Behind the ball" should be interpreted as being behind the line parallel to the back line and running through the point from which the penalty is being taken. Any attempt by a defender to approach the striker from behind that line shall be penalised.
5. The only variation to Q. (a) will be that when taking Penalties 2 or 3, the Penalty may be defended or undefended, according to the rules of the country where the game is being played.

R. SPECIFIC PENALTIES

Penalty 1 - Penalty Goal

1. The team fouled shall be allowed one goal.
2. The game shall be restarted at a spot ten yards from the middle of the fouler's goal in the manner prescribed in Rule F.9. Ends shall not be changed.

Penalty 2 - 30 Yard Hit

1. A free hit at the ball from a spot 30 yards from the goal line of the team fouling, opposite the middle of the goal or, if preferred, from where the foul occurred (the choice to rest with the Captain of the team fouled). The fouling team must be behind the back line, but not between the goal posts, and they may not defend the penalty conversion attempt. None of the team fouled to be nearer the goal line or back line than the ball is at the moment it is hit or hit at. The team fouled may hit or hit at the ball only once. If the ball fails to clear the backline, the defending team will be awarded a free hit from the spot where the ball stopped, (R.5 (a)). Should the spot be within 4 yards of a goal post, the ball shall be placed 4 yards either side of the nearest goal post for a free hit by a defending player.
   In the event of the Captain of the team fouled electing to take the penalty from the spot where the foul occurred, none of the defending team to be within 30 yards of the ball, nor come out from between the goal posts.
2. When a technical foul is given as well as Penalty 2, if the goal is scored the game should be started with a 5 (b); if the original shot fails, another Penalty 2 should be awarded for the technical foul. 

Penalty 3 - 40 Yard Hit

1. A free hit at the ball from a spot 40 yards from the goal line of the team fouling opposite the middle of the goal. All the team fouling must be behind their back line until the ball is hit or  it at, but not between the goal posts, nor when the ball is brought into play may any of the team ride out from between the goal posts; none of the team fouled must be nearer the goal line or back line than the ball is, at the moment it is hit or hit at.
2. In carrying out Penalty 3, if the free hit would, in the opinion of the umpire have resulted in a goal, but is stopped by one of the team fouling coming out from between the goal posts, or crossing the back line before the ball was struck, such shot is to count as a goal to the team fouled. If the player who stopped the ball did not infringe these rules, but another member of his team did, Penalty 7 (a) shall be exacted.

Penalty 4 - 60 Yard Hit
A free hit at the ball from a spot 60 yards from the goal line of the team fouling opposite the middle of the goal; the team fouling shall be behind the 30 yard line, the team fouled being free to place themselves where they choose.

Penalty 5(a) - Free Hit from the Spot
A free hit at the ball from where it was when the foul took place, but not nearer the boards or side lines than four yards. None of the team fouling to be within 30 yards of the ball, nor behind the ball, the team fouled being free to place themselves where they choose. (Rule Q. (d)). 

Penalty 5(b) - Free Hit from the Centre
A free hit at the ball from the centre of the ground, none of the team fouling to be within 30 yards of the ball, nor behind the ball, the team fouled being free to place themselves where they choose. (Rule Q. (d)). 

Penalty 6 - 60 Yard Hit Opposite where Ball Crossed Back Line (Defenders hit the ball behind)
A free hit at the ball from a spot 60 yards distant from the back line, opposite where the ball crossed it, but not nearer the boards or side lines than four yards. None of the team fouling to be within 30 yards of the ball, nor behind the ball the team fouled being free to place themselves where they choose. (Rule Q. (d)).

Violation of Penalties
Penalty 7(a) - Another Free Hit
If the team fouling fail to carry out Penalty 2, 3, 4, or 6 correctly the team fouled shall be allowed another free hit at the ball, unless a goal has been scored or awarded. If the team fouling fail to carry out Penalty 5 correctly, the umpire shall advance the ball by 30 yards for the re -hit. If both sides fail to carry out Penalty 2 or 3 correctly, another Free Hit must be taken by the team fouled, irrespective of the result of the previous Free Hit.

Penalty 7(b) - Hit in by Defenders from Middle of Own Goal
If the team fouled fail to carry out Penalty 2 or 3 correctly, the defenders shall be allowed a hit in from the middle of their own goal. None of the attacking team shall be within 30 yards of the back line until the ball is hit, or hit at, the defenders being free to place themselves where they choose. (Rule Q.(d)).

Penalty 7(c) - Hit in from 30 Yard Line
If the attacking team fail to carry out Rule F.6 or Penalty 7 (b) correctly, the defenders shall be allowed to hit in from the 30 yard line, from the spot opposite where the first hit was made or would have been made. None of the team penalised shall be within 30 yards of the ball until it is hit or hit at; the team taking the penalty being free to place themselves where they choose. Any further infringement of Rule F.6 or Penalty 7 (b) or (c) by the attacking team, the defenders must be allowed a Penalty 5(b).

Penalty 7(d) - Unnecessary Delay
In the event of unnecessary delay by the team fouled when called on by the umpire to take a penalty hit, the umpire shall restart the game from the spot where the hit should have been taken in accordance with Rule F.9 or F.6(d).

Penalty 7(e) - Violation of Rule Q.(a)
If the attacking team fail to carry our Rule Q.(a) correctly, the defending team shall have a free hit at the ball, as per Penalty 5(a). 

Penalty 8(a) - Blind Pony Disqualified
For infringement of Rule B.1(b), the pony blind of an eye must be reported by the umpire in writing to the Committee conducting the tournament who shall take all steps necessary to ensure that it shall not be played again in any tournament.

Penalty 8(b) - Pony Disqualified
For infringement of Rule B.1 (c) and (d): the pony must be ordered off the ground by the umpire and disqualified from being played again during the game or match.

Penalty 8(c) - Pony Ordered Off
For infringement of Rule B.2; the pony must be ordered off the ground by the umpire and disqualified from playing again until the offence has been removed.

Penalty 9) - Player Ordered Off
For infringement of Rule A.3; the player must be ordered off the ground by the umpire and disqualified from playing again until he has removed the offence.

Player Excluded
The umpires may exclude a player as below, in addition to any other penalty, in the case of a deliberate foul, dangerous foul, or conduct prejudicial to the game. In all cases, the umpires must agree or if not in agreement ask the referee to decide. Any player sent off must return immediately to his pony lines, he must not remain in the safety zone. The team to which the excluded player belonged shall continue with three players only or forfeit the game provided the tournament committee of the club running the game agrees.

Penalty 10(a) - Player Excluded for the Rest of the Chukka

Penalty 10(b) - Player Excluded for the Rest of the Match
For a more serious offence, the umpires may exclude a player for the rest of the match.