RULES OF BICYCLE POLO

(INTERNATIONAL 5 PLAYER VERSION)

May 2008

Bicycle polo is a team game which consists of hitting a ball in the other team's goal according to the following rules:

Rules of the game

Article 1 - Dimensions of the field

1.1.              The field shall be rectangular. The dimensions may vary as follows:
Length:  Between 80 and 110 metres (87.489 yards and 120.297 yards).
Width:  Between 40 and 70 metres (43.744 yards and 76.553 yards).
However, it is recommended that the field’s optimum measurements shall be 100 metres (109.361 yards) in length and 60 metres (65.617 yards) in width.

1.2.              The field shall be divided in two equal parts by a centre line parallel to the end lines.  At the centre of this line (and of the field) a circle shall be marked with a radius of 10 metres (10.936 yards).

1.3.              A line shall be marked, parallel to the side lines, passing through the centre of the circle described in Article 1.2, starting and ending 20 metres (21.872 yards) either side of the centre line.  This line shall be known as the “sprinter line”.

1.4.              A goal shall be placed at the centre of each end line, measuring 4 metres (4.374 yards) in width.

1.5.              At each end, a penalty area shall be marked as follows:
A line 5.5 metres (6.015 yards) from each goal post shall be marked to a point 7 metres (7.655 yards) from the end line parallel to the sidelines, and a line shall be marked joining the two points (15 metres (16.404 yards) in length).

1.6.              A penalty spot shall be marked 10 metres (10.936 yards) into the field from the centre of each goal.

1.7.              A line shall be marked in each half of the field, parallel to the end lines, 25 metres from the centre line.

1.8.              All lines on the field must only be marked with chalk or paint.

1.9.                           The field shall be free of obstacles. No obstacle may be situated within 2 metres (2.187            yards) from the sidelines or within 5 metres (5.468 yards) from the end lines.

Article 2 - The goals

2.1.              The goalposts shall be 4 metres (4.374 yards) apart (inside measurement) and the crossbar shall be 2.75 metres (3.007 yards) (inside measurement) above the ground.

2.2.              The supports for the crossbar may not exceed 10 centimetres (3.937 inches) in diameter. The crossbar and the goal posts must be rounded.

2.3.              Where possible, nets should be in place to stop the ball when it enters the goal. Nets must be anchored to the field and be strong enough to retain the ball.

Article 3 - The ball

3.1.              The arena polo ball shall be used. The ball shall be round and may not be less than

                   32 cm (12.6 inches) or greater than 38 cm (15.0 inches) in circumference when inflated.  It shall not be less than 170 grams or more than 182 grams in weight. The ball must be sufficiently inflated.

3.2.              Each team shall bring a ball in good condition. Prior to the game, the referee shall toss a coin.  The team losing the toss shall supply the ball for the first half of the game.  The team winning the toss shall supply the ball for the second half.

3.3.              The referee’s decision shall be final as to whether a ball is suitable and the referee shall have authority to overturn Article 3.2 above.

3.4.              In the event that the ball bursts or becomes unplayable during a free hit, the free hit shall be re-taken with a new ball chosen by the referee.  If the ball is burst or becomes unplayable during open play the referee shall stop the game. With a new ball chosen by the referee, play will resume with a face-off (see Article 23.4.) at the point where the game was stopped. If play is stopped within 10 metres (10.936 yards) of a goal, the face-off shall take place a minimum of 10 metres (10.936 yards) from the goal at a suitable point chosen by the referee.

Article 4 - The mallet

4.1.              The head shall not measure more than the following maximum dimensions:

                   Length: 25 cm (9.8 inches),

                   Circumference: 20 cm (7.9 inches).

4.2.              The cane or shaft may be rigid or flexible.  The total length (including the head) may not exceed 1 meter (39.4 inches).

4.3.              The mallet shaft and head may not contain any metal.

Article 5 - The bicycle

5.1.              The development of the bicycle may not exceed 3.50 metres (3.828 yards).

5.2.              The total length of the bicycle may not exceed 1.80 metres (1.968 yards).

5.3                Any object intended to prevent the ball from passing through or under the frame is        forbidden.

5.4                The handlebar must have rubber bar ends fitted.

5.5                Wheels must have a minimum of 32 spokes.

5.6                All equipment which could be considered dangerous (and/or unnecessary) shall be      removed from the bicycle. (For example, kickstand, bottle-carrier, toe clips, bell, lights,   pedals made of sharp metal).

5.7               The decision as to whether equipment is dangerous and must be removed or replaced shall lie with the referee.

Article 6 - Appearance of players

6.1.              All players of the same team must wear the same colour shirt, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who must wear a shirt colour distinguishable from all other players on the field.  It is recommended that players’ shirts are numbered.

6.2.              In the case of both teams wishing to play in the same or similar colour, players of the visiting team must change into shirts of a different colour.  If the match is taking place on a neutral ground the team required to change shirt colour will be decided by lot.

6.3.              All players must wear a cycle helmet.

Article 7 - Composition of the team

7.1               A team shall be composed of up to 8 players, being 1 goalkeeper, 4 outfield players and up to 3 substitutes.  A team must have no more than 5 players on the field at any time.

Article 8 - Captain of team

8.1.              Before each match one player from each team must be identified as the team’s captain.  The captain alone has the right to speak to the referee.

8.2.              In the event that the captain leaves the field due to injury, expulsion or substitution, the captain shall identify a new captain and shall inform the referee of such change.

Article 9 – Substitutions

9.1.              Substitutions shall be unlimited in number and shall only be made when the ball is out of play.

9.2.              Substitutions shall be made at the request of the captain.  Upon agreement of the referee, the player to be substituted will leave the field at the nearest boundary.  The substitute shall enter the field within 10 metres (10.936 yards) of the centre line.

9.3.              A substitute shall only enter the field once the referee has granted permission and only after the substituted player has left the field.  At no time shall a team have more than 5 players on the field.

9.4.              A substituted player may re-enter the game as a substitute by following the process described in Article 9.2. 

9.5.              Any player registered on a team's team sheet may be admitted to play, even if the player is not present at the beginning of the game.

9.6.              Any time elapsed for substitutions shall be added to the regular time by the referee.

Article 10 - Duration of the match

10.1.            Each match shall consist of 4 chukkas of 15 minutes each (60 minutes in total).  A break of 5 minutes between chukkas shall be allowed.

Article 11 - Choice of ends

11.1.            The referee shall determine the choice of ends by tossing a coin in the presence of the two captains.

11.2.            The winner of the toss shall choose which end their team shall defend in the first chukka.

11.3.            Teams shall change ends at the end of each chukka.

Article 12 - Position of play

12.1.            In order for a player to touch the ball or attack an opponent, the player must be holding the mallet in their right hand, the handlebar in their left hand, and must not be touching the ground with any part of their body.

12.2.            In order to attack an opponent who is playing the ball on their right side, a player shall attack the opponent on the right side of the opponent with the ball in the middle of both players.

12.3.            In order to attack an opponent who is playing the ball on their left side, a player shall attack the opponent on the left side of the opponent with the ball in the middle of both players.

12.4.            In order to juggle the ball, a player may only do this on the right hand side of their bicycle. A player may not switch sides whilst juggling the ball.

12.5.            The goalkeeper shall benefit from specific authorizations as described in Article 20.

Article 13 - Start of the game/chukka – sprint start

13.1.            At the beginning of each match and each chukka, a sprint start shall take place as follows:

13.1.1          The ball shall be placed at the centre of the field.

13.1.2          Each team shall indicate one sprinter to the referee.

13.1.3          Each sprinter shall line up with the base of their front wheel on the end line to the left of their goalmouth, and they shall have one foot on the ground.

13.1.4          Players may position themselves anywhere in their own half of the field provided they do not interfere with or obstruct the sprinters in any way.

13.1.5          At the referee’s whistle the sprinters shall sprint for the ball and must not cross the sprinter line of the field. The remaining players may now enter their opponents half of the field provided they do not interfere with or obstruct the sprinters in any way.

13.1.6          Once the ball has been hit, any other player on the field may then tackle the sprinter or hit the ball provided they do not impede or endanger the sprinters.

13.1.7          A goal scored directly from a sprint start shall be allowed.

Article 14 – Restart after a goal

14.1.            The team conceding a goal shall be awarded a restart hit.

14.1.1.         The ball shall be placed at the centre of the field.

14.1.2.         All players shall start in their own half of the field.  Only players from the team taking the restart hit shall be allowed in the centre circle. Opposing players may enter the centre circle only once the ball has been hit.

14.1.3.         The player taking the restart hit may cross the centre line to hit the ball.

14.1.4.         The player taking the restart hit may only hit the ball once and the ball must be played forward. The player taking the restart hit is not permitted to hit the ball again until another player or player’s bicycle has hit the ball.

14.1.5.                  A goal scored directly from a restart hit shall be allowed.

Article 15 - Ball out of bounds

15.1.            A ball must have completely cleared an end line or side line to be deemed out of bounds.

15.2.            In the event that the ball crosses a sideline, the opposing team of the last player, bicycle or mallet to touch the ball shall be awarded a free hit from the point the ball crossed the line. The ball shall be hit into play using a single backward hit.  Opposing players must be a minimum of 10 metres (10.936 yards) from the ball.

15.3.            In the event that the ball crosses an end line and was last touched by a player, bicycle or mallet of the attacking team, the defending team shall be awarded a free hit as described in Article 15.4. If the ball was last touched by a player, bicycle or mallet of the defending team, the attacking team shall be awarded a corner hit, as described in Article 15.5. The player taking the hit shall be allowed only one hit.  Opposing players must be a minimum of 10 metres (10.936 yards) from the ball.

15.4.            For a free hit after the attacking team hits the ball over the end line, the ball shall be placed at the intersection of the end line and the lateral limit of the penalty area, on the side of the goal where the ball crossed the end line.

15.5.            For a corner hit, the ball shall be placed at the intersection of the end line and the side line, on the side of the goal where the ball crossed the end line.

15.6.            In the event that the ball leaves the field by passing over the goal, the free hit shall be taken on the same side of the goal as the ball crossed the end line.

15.7.            Goals scored directly from free hits or corner hits shall be allowed.

Article 16 - How the game is stopped

16.1.            Play shall be stopped only when the referee blows the whistle.

16.2.            Time elapsed while play is stopped shall be added by the referee to the regular time of the chukka during which the stoppage occurs.

16.3.            If play is stopped and cannot be restarted in a maximum period of 30 minutes (due to injury to the referee or unplayable field, for example), the referee shall stop the game and address a report to the organizer of the event for further action.

16.4.            The time elapsed between goals and the subsequent restart or while the ball is out of bounds shall not be added to the end of the chukka by the referee.

Article 17 - Scoring goals

17.1.            A goal shall only be allowed when the whole ball crosses the end line between the two goalposts and below the crossbar.

17.2.            If a player diverts or sends the ball into their own goal, a goal shall be awarded to the opposing team.

17.3.            The team with the greater number of goals at the final whistle shall be declared the winner.

Article 18 – Overtime

18.1.            In the event of a tie at the end of regular time, in a game in which a winner must be determined, the teams shall play two overtime chukkas of 10 minutes each. There shall be no rest between chukkas, but the teams shall change ends. The choice of ends to begin the first overtime chukka shall be determined as described in Article 11.

18.2.            In the event of a tie at the end of overtime, a series of penalty hits shall be taken by four players from each team. The captain of each team shall nominate a goalkeeper and four penalty takers from those listed on the team sheet and advise the referee in which order they shall take their hits.

18.3.            The procedure for penalties to be taken shall be as follows:

18.3.1          Only one goal, chosen by the referee, shall be used.

18.3.2          A coin shall be tossed by the referee in the presence of the two captains. The winner of the coin toss shall choose whether to take the first or second penalty hit.

18.3.3          Each team's goalkeeper shall play alternately against a player of the opposing team. The goalkeeper of the team taking the hit shall stand behind the end line and beyond the limit of the penalty area.

18.3.4          The remaining players of each team shall wait their turn to take their penalty hit a minimum distance of 10 metres (10.936 yards) behind the penalty spot. Once a player has taken their penalty they shall return to their place a minimum of 10 metres (10.936 yards) behind the penalty spot.

18.3.5          At the end of the series of penalties, the team having scored the most goals shall be declared the winner.

18.3.6          In the event of a tie after a series of four penalty hits by each team, a further series of penalty hits shall be taken by the same players and in the same order until a winner is determined.

18.3.7          The penalty taker may only hit the ball once.  To count as a goal, the ball must enter the goal directly or from a deflection by the goalkeeper and/or the goalposts and/or the crossbar.

18.3.8          The penalty taker and the goal keeper shall be bound by the procedures described in Article 25 - Penalty.

Article 19 – Authorizations

19.1             Subject to Article 12, a player may:

19.1.1.         Prevent an opponent from hitting the ball by placing their mallet across the path of the opponent's mallet whilst they are striking at the ball. A player may not, however, lift an opponent's mallet and must withdraw their mallet immediately after blocking an opponent's shot.

19.1.2.         Take a full swing if no opponent is nearby.

19.1.3.         Juggle the ball by bouncing it on their mallet on the right hand side of their bicycle.

19.1.4.         Play the ball or score a goal with the wheels of their bicycle.

19.1.5.         Ride outside the side or end lines to make a play for a ball which is on the field.

19.1.6.         Hit the ball with their head or any part of their body (except as stated in Article 23.2.).

19.1.7.         Hook an opponent’s mallet whilst the opponent is in the action of striking the ball provided the player does so with a straight arm. However, the hook must be released as soon as the opponent has been prevented from playing the ball.

19.1.8.