INDIAN POLO ASSOCIATION (IPA)



Welcome to the "Indian Polo Association" Site Welcome to the "Indian Polo Association" Site

IPA On Line

About us

Fixtures

International Fixtures

Classifieds

Current Events

History/Archive Section

Imp. News/Rules etc.

Rules & Regs ---> Arena Polo Rules ---> Penalties

PENALTIES

Taking of Penalties
A violation of these Rules may be penalised by the Umpire in accordance with its severity, its location, and its effect on the game, by awarding to the offended team one of the following penalties :-

Penalty 1
The team fouled shall be awarded a goal. On resumption of play, the Umpire shall throw the ball in towards the sideboards at a point 15 yards in front of the centre of the goal defended by the fouling team. The fouling team’s goal shall be to the Umpire’s right. Penalty 1 may be awarded by an Umpire at any time. It should be awarded if, in the opinion of the Umpire, a defending player commits a foul in the close vicinity of the goal where in the opinion of that Umpire, the attacking side has been deprived of a virtual certain goal-scoring opportunity.

Penalty 2
.A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from a spot 15 yards in front of the mouth of the goal undefended by the fouling team, all players to be behind the point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at except one ‘defender’ to be within the 15 yard line however not between the ball and the goal. No player shall be within 5 yards of the player making a hit; the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit. Play shall continue in the event that a goal is scored or not by the ‘defender’ making the next play. No player to be nearer the ball than 5 yards until the ‘defender’ has hit or hit at the ball.

Penalty 3
A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from a spot 25 yards in front of the mouth of the goal undefended by the fouling team, all players to be behind the point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at except one ‘defender’ to be within the 25 yard line however not between the ball and the goal. No player shall be within 5 yards of the player making a hit; the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit. Play shall continue in the event that a goal is scored or not by the ‘defender’ making the next play. No player to be nearer the ball than 5 yards until the ‘defender’ has hit or hit at the ball.
Penalty 4
A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from a spot 25 yards in front of the mouth of the goal, all players to be behind a point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at, except one of the fouling team, who may be placed inside the 15 yard line. No other player shall be within 5 yards of the player making a hit; the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit. Play shall continue in the event that a goal is scored or not by the ‘defender’ making the next play. No player to be nearer the ball than 5 yards until the ‘defender’ has hit or hit at the ball. Should the ‘defender’ stop the penalty shot with stick, body or pony this play is not considered to be the ‘next play’. If the ball is hit by the ‘defender ’, in the defence of the goal, back across the hald way line normal play will continue. This also applies if the ball ricochets in the same manner.
Penalty 4b
The fouled team has the choice of a Penalty 4 or a free hit from the spot where the foul occurred between the half way line and the defenders 25 yard line. The goal is undefended by the fouling team, all players to be behind the point from where the free hit is made until the ball is hit or hit at except one ‘defender’ to be within the 25 yard line however not between the ball and the goal. No player shall be within 5 yards of the player making a hit; the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit. Play shall continue in the event that a goal is scored or not by the ‘defender’ making the next play. No player to be nearer the ball than 5 yards until the ‘defender’ has hit or hit at the ball.
Penalty 5.
A free hit at the ball by the team fouled from the centre of the arena, no player shall be within 5 yards of the player making a hit; the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit.
Penalty 6.

A free hit at the ball by the team fouled, from the centre of the 25 yard line nearest the defenders’ goal, no player shall be within 5 yards of the player making a hit; the ball must travel 5 yards forward when hit.

Penalty 7
The Umpire may remove a player from all or any part of the remainder of the game in addition to any other penalty in cases of a deliberate or dangerous foul, or conduct prejudicial to the game.
Penalty 8.
The match shall be forfeited
Penalty 9. The player or mount shall be disqualified. If the disqualification is for illegal equipment, the player or mount may return when the offending equipment is removed.
Incorrect Taking of Penalties
1. In the event of a failure to correctly carry out the above Penalties 2, 3 or 4 by the fouling team, another free hit shall be granted to the hitter called for in the penalty awarded, if a goal has not been scored. However, if, in the opinion of the Umpire, the original free hit would have resulted in a goal, but was missed or blocked because of failur of the fouling team to correctly carry out the penalty, Penalty 1 shall be awarded to the team making the free hit.
2. (a)The team fouled may only hit the ball once and may not hit or hit at the ball again until the ball is hit or hit at by the ‘defender’.
3. If, on Penalties 5 and 6, the penalty taker hits the ball further than 5 yards, but not against a wall or other player/pony, he still retains the Right of Way and may ‘ride off’ an opponent in order to prevent the ball being hit or hit at but may not hook an opponent’s mallet. The hitter may only hit or hit at the ball once, thereafter any player may hit or hit at the ball. In the event the hitter misses the ball completely it remains in play and the line of the ball is as defined in Rule 11.b.
4. On penalties 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 play shall begin and the clock started when the Umpire calls “PLAY” and the ball is hit or hit at. The hitter must hit or hit at the ball promptly after the call of “PLAY” and if he does not, the whistle should be blown and the game restarted in accordance with Para 2), first sentence. For the benefit of the game, it is important that the ball be put in play promptly. Players should position themselves when the foul is announced. The Umpire should drop the ball at the designated spot and, unless the ball has positioned itself so as to present an unfair situation for the hitter, call “PLAY”. If the ball rolls into a position, such as in a hole or behind a clod, the hitter may be permitted to reposition it before “PLAY” is called.
5. On Penalties 2, 3 or 4 there shall be no contact between any player and opponent until the ball is hit or hit at. This does not apply to Penalty 5 or 6.