PENALTIES (page 13)

10. Players Warned Excluded

The umpire will carry yellow and red cards. In case of deliberate  and/or dangerous foul or conduct of a player prejudicial to the game the Umpire will show yellow card (Warning Card) and will note his name, number of number of chukkar.

On repeating same or other serious offence he will be shown red card (Exclusion card), which will automatically exclude the player from the game.

The side to which excluded player belonged shall continue with three player to play or it may forfeit the match. However when the chukkar is over, the umpires may allow the same player to play or will allow the 5th player to substitute him for the rest of the match, or at his discretion will make the team to play with three players for the rest of the match or as long as Umpires desires .

Player punished under Penalty No. 10 cannot be substituted without permission of Umpires. 

Note: The circumstances which caused this penalty (red card only) to be inflicted will be reported by the umpire in writing to the committee conducting the tournament to enable them to judge whether the case should be reported to higher authorities.

This should be borne in mind that the Penalty No. 10 is in addition to any other penalty given by the umpire for the offence committed.

pgs 13

PENALTIES (page 12)

4. 45 Meters Hit (Opposite Goal)

A free hit at the ball from a spot 45 meters from the goal line of the fouling side opposite the middle of the goal; none of the fouling side player will remain within 15 meters of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose.  

5(a). Free Hit From the Spot

A free hit at the ball from where it was at the time of the foul but not nearer than 4 meters from the side lines; none of the fouling side player will remain within 15 meters  of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose.  

5(b). Free Hit from the centre

A free hit at the ball from the centre of the ground. None of the player from the fouling side to be within 15 meters of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose. 

6. 45 Meters Hit (Opposite where the Ball Crossed)

A free hit at the ball from a spot 45 Meters distant opposite from the back line where the ball crossed it, but not nearer than 4 meters from the side lines. None of the players from the fouling side will remain within 15 meters of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose. 

7. Another Hit (Penalty 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6)

If the fouling side fails to carry out Penalty 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 correctly the side fouled shall be allowed another free hit at the ball unless a goal has been scored or awarded. If both sides fail to carry out Penalty  2 or 3 correctly another free hit will be allowed by the side fouled, irrespective of the result of the previous free hit.  

8. Player to retire

The captain of the side fouled will designate one such player on the fouling side whose handicap is nearest above to the disabled player, who retires from the game. If the handicap of the disabled player is higher than that of any of his opponents, the player whose handicap is nearest below of the disabled player will be designated. If there are two or more such players, the captain of the side fouled will designate one to retire. The game shall remain continued with three players on each side and if the fouling side refuses to continue the game, it shall thereby forfeit the match. This penalty does not apply to international matches.

9. Bicycle Ordered Off

In case of infringement of Field Rule 3, a bicycle will be ordered off the ground by the Umpire and will remain disqualified from playing again till the offence has been removed.

PENALTIES (page 11)

PENALTIES

1. Penalty Goal

(a) If, in the opinion of the Umpire, a player in order to avoid a goal, commits a dangerous or deliberate foul in the vicinity of goal, the side fouled shall be given a goal.  (b) The game shall re-start at spot 10 yards away from the middle of the fouling team's goal in the manner prescribed in Field Rule 25. Ends shall not be changed.  

2. 15 Meters Hit

(a) A free hit at the ball from a spot 15 meters from the goal line of fouling side opposite the middle of the goal, or if preferred, from where the foul occurred ( the choice to rest with the captain of the side fouled). All the players of the fouling side to remain behind their back line until the ball is hit, or hit at, but not between the goal posts. Nor any of the side will ride out from between the goal posts when the ball is brought into play.

None of the players of the fouled side will be nearer the goal line or back line than the ball at the moment it is hit or hit at. In case the captain chooses to take the penalty from the spot where the foul occurred, none of the defending side players will remain within 15 meters of the ball nor come out from between the goal posts.

(b) In carrying out Penalty 2 if the free hit would, in the opinion of the Umpire, have resulted in a goal but is stopped by one of the fouling side player coming from between the goal posts or crossing the back line before the ball was struck, such shot will count as a goal to the side fouled. If the player who stopped the ball did not infringe these rules, but another player of the side did, Penalty 7 shall be exacted.  

3. 25 Meters Hit

(a) A  free hit at the ball from a spot 25 meters from the goal line of fouling side opposite the middle of the goal; all the fouling side players to remain behind their back line until the ball is hit, or hit at, but not between the goal posts. Nor any of the side will ride out from between the goal posts when the ball is brought into play. None of the players of the fouled side will be nearer the goal line or back line than the ball at the moment it is hit or hit at. 

(b) 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 fouling side player coming from between the goal posts or crossing the back line before the ball was struck, such shot will count as a goal to the side fouled. If the player who stopped the ball did not infringe these rules, but another player of his side did, Penalty 7 shall be exacted.

4. 45 Meters Hit (Opposite Goal)

A free hit at the ball from a spot 45 meters from the goal line of the fouling side opposite the middle of the goal; none of the fouling side player will remain within 15 meters of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose.  

5(a). Free Hit From the Spot

A free hit at the ball from where it was at the time of the foul but not nearer than 4 meters from the side lines; none of the fouling side player will remain within 15 meters  of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose.  

5(b). Free Hit from the centre

A free hit at the ball from the centre of the ground. None of the player from the fouling side to be within 15 meters of the ball, while the players of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose. 

pgs 11

Field Rules (page 10)

27. Blocking of way

No player will block the other players by riding along with him, thereby not permitting him to go towards the ball or enter in the game, whether the player has Right of Way or otherwise.  

28. Discretion of Umpires

(a) Should any incident or question not provided for in the rules of Cycle Polo arise in a match such incident or question shall be decided by the Umpire or Umpires. If the Umpires disagree, the Referee's decision shall be final. 

(b) There are degrees of dangerous play and unfair play which give an advantage to the side fouling. The Penalty to be inflicted is left to the discretion of the Umpire or Umpires and shall only be referred to the Referee in the event of the Umpires disagreeing on the penalty.

Field Rules (page 9)

20. Dismounted Player

No dismounted player or a player with one or both feet touching the ground shall interfere with the game. He may however, continue with the game as soon as he has removed the above disqualification. This rule applies to the area within the safety zone. 

 

21. Accident or Injury

(a) If a player falls off his bicycle the Umpire shall not stop the game, unless he is of the opinion that the player is injured. What constitutes a fall will be left to the decision of the Umpire. 

(b) When the game has been stopped in accordance with clause (a) above the Umpire shall restart the game in the manner laid down in Field Rule 25, as soon as the player concerned is ready to resume play. The Umpire shall not wait for any other player who may not be present.  

22. Unable to Play Due to injury

If a player be injured, a period not exceeding 10 minutes shall be allowed for his recovery. If the injured player is unable to play after 10 minutes, the game shall restart with a substitute in place of the injured player provided Penalty 8 has not been exacted. If, however, the injured player subsequently recovers he may replace the player who substituted but the handicap of the higher handicapped player will be counted in accordance with General Rule 4 (c).

23. Disablement

If a player be disabled by a foul so that he is unable to continue, Penalty 8 will be exacted or the side which has been fouled shall have the option of providing a substitute. Penalty 1, 2 or 3 as the case may be, shall be exacted in any case. The umpire may award Penalty No. 10. 

 

24. When 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 infliction of the Penalty would be disadvantageous to the fouled side. 

25. Re-starting when Ball was not out

If for any reason the game is stopped without the ball going out of play it shall restart 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 ground, but not less than 20 meters near the side lines. Both teams shall take up their positions each being on its own side of an imaginary line, parallel to the goal lines and extending through the Umpire to the sides of the ground. No player will stand within 5 meters of the Umpire. The Umpire shall bowl the ball, underhand and hard between the opposition ranks of players towards the nearer side of the ground, the players remaining stationary until the ball has left his hand.  until the umpire says PLAY or indicates the players to come towards him.

26. Consecutive Three Time Touch

No player shall touch the ball with his stick or right hand up to the elbow more than 3 times consecutively. He can touch again for three times only after the ball touches another player's stick or bicycle.  NOTE: A player by virtue of his having touched the ball three times consecutively will lose his Right of Way. He has to give way to other players coming from any direction to tackle the ball or establish the Right of Way (Provided sufficient time has been given to him to pull-up or pull away). He may, however, hook the stick of the opponent if he happens to be on the same side of the ball immediately after the third touch. But he will not follow the line of the ball to hook the stick of the opponent, thereby blocking or in any way coming in the way of other players to take the ball.

pgs 9

Field Rules (page 8)

15. Crossing the Right of Way

The Line of the Ball:
(b) (iii) When a dead ball will be put into play through being hit at and missed, the line of he ball is considered to be the direction in which the player was riding when he hit at it. 

(b) (iv) If the ball becomes stationary while remaining in play the line of the ball will be that line upon which it was travelling before stopping. 

Player Riding in Direction the Ball is Travelling

(c) (i) A player following the ball on its exact line and taking it on his off side, will be entitled to the Right of Way over all other players, subject to clause (c)(iii). 

(c) (ii) Where no player will be riding on the exact line of the ball the Right of Way will belong to the player following it on the smallest angle, provided he does not contravene Clause (f). 

(c) (iii) Two players when following the exact line of the ball will share the Right of Way over all other players. 

(c) (iv) A player riding in the direction the ball will be travelling at an angle to its line, will have the Right of Way over a player riding to meet the ball at an angle to its line, irrespective of the width of the angle provided he does not contravene Clause (f). 

(c) (v) No player shall be deemed to have the Right of Way by reason of his being the last striker of the ball if he shall deviate from pursuing the exact line of the ball. 

Equal Angles

(d) In the rare case of two players riding in the general direction of the ball at exactly equal angles to it on opposite sides of its line, each player must remain on his respective side of the Line. The same rule will apply to players meeting the ball at exactly equal angles from opposite sides of the line. 

Player Meeting the Ball

(e) (i) A player who rides to meet the ball on its exact line shall have the Right of Way over all players riding at an angle from any direction. 
(e) (ii) Among the players riding to meet the ball, the player whose course will be at the least angle to the line of the ball will have the Right of Way. 

Player to Take Ball on Off-side

(f) (i) The Right of Way will entitle a player to take the ball on the off side of his Cycle. If he places himself to hit on the near side and thereby in any way endangers another player who would otherwise have been clear, he will lose the Right of Way and will give way to the other player. 

(f) (ii) When two players are riding from exactly opposite directions to hit the ball, each shall take it on the off side of his Cycle. 

pgs 8

Field Rules (page 7)

15. Crossing the Right of Way

The Line of the Ball:

(b) (iii) When a dead ball will be put into play through being hit at and missed, the line of he ball is considered to be the direction in which the player was riding when he hit at it. 

(b) (iv) If the ball becomes stationary while remaining in play the line of the ball will be that line upon which it was travelling before stopping. 

Player Riding in Direction the Ball is Travelling

(c) (i) A player following the ball on its exact line and taking it on his off side, will be entitled to the Right of Way over all other players, subject to clause (c)(iii). 

(c) (ii) Where no player will be riding on the exact line of the ball the Right of Way will belong to the player following it on the smallest angle, provided he does not contravene Clause (f). 

(c) (iii) Two players when following the exact line of the ball will share the Right of Way over all other players. 

(c) (iv) A player riding in the direction the ball will be travelling at an angle to its line, will have the Right of Way over a player riding to meet the ball at an angle to its line, irrespective of the width of the angle provided he does not contravene Clause (f). 

(c) (v) No player shall be deemed to have the Right of Way by reason of his being the last striker of the ball if he shall deviate from pursuing the exact line of the ball. 

Equal Angles

(d) In the rare case of two players riding in the general direction of the ball at exactly equal angles to it on opposite sides of its line, each player must remain on his respective side of the Line. The same rule will apply to players meeting the ball at exactly equal angles from opposite sides of the line. 

Player Meeting the Ball

(e) (i) A player who rides to meet the ball on its exact line shall have the Right of Way over all players riding at an angle from any direction. 

(e) (ii) Among the players riding to meet the ball, the player whose course will be at the least angle to the line of the ball will have the Right of Way. 

Player to Take Ball on Off-side

(f) (i) The Right of Way will entitle a player to take the ball on the off side of his Cycle. If he places himself to hit on the near side and thereby in any way endangers another player who would otherwise have been clear, he will lose the Right of Way and will give way to the other player. 

(f) (ii) When two players are riding from exactly opposite directions to hit the ball, each shall take it on the off side of his Cycle. 

pgs 7

Field Rules (page 6)

9. Unnecessary  Delay

The defenders shall give the attacking side reasonable time to get into position, but there shall be no delay in hitting in. In the event of unnecessary delay the Umpire call on the defending side to hit at once. If the Umpire's request is not complied with, he shall bowl the ball in underhand and hard at the spot where the ball crossed the back line and at right angles to it.  

10. Defenders Hit Behind

If the ball be hit behind the back line by any of the defending side's players either directly or after glancing off his own bicycle or stick penalty 6 shall be exacted. If the ball strikes any other player or his bicycle before going behind, it shall be hit in in accordance with Field Rule 8. 

 

11. Ball Hit Out: (Side Line)

(a) The ball will go over and clear the side lines to be out. 

(b) When the ball will be hit or is deflected by bicycle, stick or body of a player, over the side lines, a free hit only to be taken by backhand, from the spot from where it went out, will be awarded to the opposite team. No player other than the hitter shall be within 10 meters of the ball when it is hit or hit at. 

 

12. Restarting After Interval
On the play being resumed after an interval, the ball shall be put in normal manner which would have been followed, had there been no interval, i.e. in accordance with Field Rules 7, 8, 11 or 25 as the case may be. The Umpire will not wait for the players who remain late.  

13. Damaged Ball
If the ball be damaged the Umpire shall, at his discretion stop the game and re-start it with a new ball, in the manner   prescribed in Field Rule 25. 

14. Carrying the Ball

A Player will not catch, kick or hit the ball with anything but with his stick or right hand up to the elbow. He may block it with any part of his body but not with an open hand. He will not carry the ball intentionally. If the ball becomes lodged against a player, his bicycle, or its spokes in such a way that it cannot be dropped immediately, the Umpire shall blow his whistle and restart the game in accordance with Field Rule 25 at the point where it was first carried. 

Field Rules (page 5)

FIELD RULES

1. Definition of Foul

Any infringement of the field rules will constitute a foul, and the Umpire may stop the game. 

 

2. Dead Ball

The Umpire shall carry a whistle, which he shall blow when he wishes to stop the game. When he does so the ball is dead until he says "PLAY", and the time it is dead is not counted in the playing time of the period, except as legislated for in General Rule 12. 

Note: If a whistle is blown for a foul approximately at the same time when a goal is scored:
i) The goal will be disallowed if the foul will be against the attacking side and is confirmed. 

ii) The goal will be allowed if the foul will be against the attacking side and the foul is overruled, or if the foul will be against the defending side whether or not the foul is confirmed. 

 

3. Disqualified Cycle

A bicycle disqualified as mentioned in the General Rule 1 shall not be allowed in the game. 

 

4. Safety Zone

(a) No person will be allowed to enter the ground during play for any purpose whatsoever, except the players and the umpires. A player requiring a stick, bicycle, or other assistance from an outside person will ride to the side or back lines to procure it. No person will come on the ground to assist a player. 

(b) No person will be allowed within the Safety Zone during play except players, umpires, referees, linemen, goal judges, manager or committee members.  Note: The Safety Zone is the area consisting of the field of play, 15 meters beyond the goal line and 5 to 8 meters parallel to side lines.

 

5. Starting of the Game

At the beginning of the game, the two teams shall line up in the middle of the ground, each team being on its own side of the halfway line. the Umpire shall bowl the ball underhand and hard between the opposing ranks of players, from a distance of not less then five meters, the players remaining stationary until the ball has left his hand.  

 

6. How Goal is Scored

A goal is scored when a ball will pass between the goal posts and clears the goal line. If a ball is hit above the top of the goal posts, and in the opinion of the Umpire is between these posts, it shall also count as a goal.

7. Changing of Ends

Ends shall be changed after every goal except where a goal is awarded under Penalty 1. Ends shall also be changed if no goals have been hit by half-time and the play shall re-start in position corresponding to the change of ends. After a goal has been hit, the game shall be re-started from the middle of the ground as prescribed in Field Rule 5. The players shall be allowed a reasonable time to reach the middle of the ground at a slow speed and take up their positions. 

 

8. Attackers hit Behind

(a) The ball will go over and clear of the back line to be out. 

(b) When the ball is hit behind the back line by the attacking side, it shall be hit in by the defenders from the spot where it crossed the line, but at least four meters away from the goal posts, when the Umpire says "PLAY". None of the attacking side shall be within 15 meters of the back line until the ball is hit or hit at, the defenders being free to place themselves where they choose. 

pg5

General Rules (page 4)

15. Widened Goals

Any extra-time chukkar necessitated by a tie at the end of the final period of a match will be with widened goals. 

 

16. Rules for Widened Goals

(a) Width of goals to be doubled to 8 meters by moving goal posts 2 meters each outwards. 
(b) After the interval of five minutes, ends will be changed and the ball thrown-in from the centre in the first of the extra chukkars. 

 

17. Prolongation in Case of Penalty

In the event of a penalty being awarded to a team which is behind in score within 20 seconds of the end of the match, the Timekeeper shall allow 20 seconds play from the time the ball is hit or hit at, in carrying out the penalty, before he rings the final bell. If a goal is scored after the ball has been put into play, and the original regular time has expired, the final bell shall be rung. The match shall terminate as usual on the first stroke of the final bell.  

 

18. Unfinished Match

Once a match has started it shall be played to a finish unless stopped by the Umpire for some unavoidable cause, such as darkness or weather condition which prevents a finish the same day. In such case it shall be resumed at the point at which it was 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. 

 

19. How Game is won

The side that scores more goals wins the game.

 

20. Confusing Colours

If in the opinion of the Tournament Committee or Umpires the colours of the two competing teams are so alike as to lead to confusion, the team lower in the draw shall be instructed to play in some other colour.

General Rules (page 3)

8. Handicap Calculation
In all matches played under handicap conditions, the higher handicap team (Sum total of handicaps of four players) shall concede to lower handicap team, as many goals as the difference is, in the four chukkar match. But in the event the tournament committee or the technical committee decides to play the match more than 4 chukkars for each additional chukkar the goals to be conceded will be calculated as follows. 

(a) The difference of goals between the two teams will be divided by 4 and the result thereby will be added in the difference of goals for playing additional chukkar. 

(b) If there is any fraction, less than half will be counted as half, and fraction more than half will be counted as one.  Example 1- If the difference of goals between two teams for 4 chukkar is 7 goals, it will be divided by 4, result will be 1.75 therefore 2 more goal will be added in the difference for one extra chukkar.  Example 2- If the difference is 5 goals in the 4 chukkar between two teams, on dividing by 4 the result will be 1.25. This means only one and a half goal should be added in the original difference of goal for one extra chukkar. Similarly in the event of the tournament committee or the technical committee decided to play 3 chukkars match, the result arrived in the above examples will be reduced from the original difference in goals between two teams. 

 

9. Play Continuous

With the exception of the above said intervals the play shall remain continuous and no time shall be taken off for changing bicycles and sticks during a period, except as legislated for in the Field Rule 22.  

 

10. Termination of Period (Chukkar)

Each period of play except the last shall terminate after the expiration of the prescribed time (designated by the ringing of a bell or other signal) as soon as the ball goes out of play, or on ringing the second bell on the expiry of 30 seconds and the game will terminate wherever the ball is. 
NOTE: In all cases (except the last period when the score is not tied) players shall continue to play until the ringing of the second bell.

11. Penalty exacted next period (Chukkar)

If a foul is given at the first stroke of the bell after the Umpire's whistle terminates the period, the penalty shall be exacted at the beginning of the next period, except in the event of a tie in the last period when the penalty shall be exacted at once and the period continued until ringing of the second bell on expiry of 30 seconds and the game will terminate wherever the ball is.

12. Game Stopped

The game shall be stopped in two different ways:
(a) The game shall be stopped whenever the ball is out of play or dead, i.e. when the ball goes through the goal, side or back lines, or when a foul occurs. 

(b) The umpire shall blow two sharp blasts, which will tell the timekeeper NOT to deduct/stop time. This TIME PENALTY will be totally at the discretion of the umpires. 

13. Last Period

The last period shall terminate, although the ball is still in play, at the first stroke of the final bell, wherever the ball may be, except in the case of a tie.  

14. Tie

In the case of a tie the last period shall be prolonged till the ringing of the second bell and if still a tie, after an interval of five minutes the game will be started with widened goals and be continued in periods of the usual duration, with the usual intervals, until one side obtains a goal which shall determine the match.    

General Rules (page 2)

5. Umpires, Referees, Linemen and Goal Judges:

(a) The rules shall be administered in a match by two Umpires who shall be mounted to enable them to keep close to play, along with a Referee who shall remain off the field of play in a central position. The decision of the Umpires shall be final, except when they disagree, in which case the decision of the Referee shall be final. They will be appointed by the Technical Committee or Tournament Committee.  

(b) In all matches Goal judges and linesmen shall be appointed, each of whom shall give testimony to the Umpires at the latter's request in respect to goals or other points of the game near the goal, but the Umpires shall take all decisions. The goal judges are there to assist the Umpires, but the final decision is that of Umpires.
 
(c) The Umpires or panel of umpires shall be nominated by the Technical Committee for all matches. However, in the national and international matches opposing side coach/Manager shall have the right to nominate one name each whom they wish to umpire their match from available panel of umpires. This intimation they shall be conveyed in writing to the concerned committee 24 hours before the start of the match. If the intimation is not received in time, the committee's decision of appointing umpires will be final. 

(d) Captains shall have the sole right to appeal to the Umpire or Umpires questions arising during the game. No player including Captain shall appeal IN ANY MANNER to the Umpires or Umpire for fouls. In all matters, decision of the Umpire shall be final. 

(e) The authority of the above officials shall extend from the time the match is due to start until the close of the game. All questions, arising at other times may be referred by the Coach/Manager to the committee conducting the tournament or match, and its decision shall be final. Any objection in respect to a match must be made by the Coach/Manager to the Technical Committee in writing within 15 minutes of the close of the match along with prescribed fee. The Tournament of Technical Committee's decision, which will be given then and there, shall be final. In the event of a final match, objection should be raised during interval following the Chukkar in which foul occurred so that decision could be given before start of the next Chukkar. However, if Captain leads his team out of play in protest during a match due to any reason whatsoever or team discontinues the game or fail to resume the game in spite of warning given by Umpires, the teams shall not only forfeit the match but right to appeal also.

Timekeeper and Scorer:

An official Timekeeper and Scorer shall be appointed in all games and matches.

 

7. Game:

(a) The match duration of play is 30 minutes, divided into 4 periods of 7.5 minutes each. The number of minutes played in a match or periods played in a match may be reduced or increased by the committee conducting the tournament or match. In all matches there shall be a half-time interval of 5 minutes. All other intervals between periods shall be of three minutes duration. 

(b) After tossing up for sides; the teams shall line up in the middle of the ground on either side of the half line, and the Umpire shall bowl the ball underhand, between the opposing teams, from the center of a side line. No player shall be within five meters of the Umpire before the ball leaves his hand. 

(c) No player may touch the ball with his stick or right hand up to the elbow more than three times consecutively. He can touch again for three times only after the ball touches another player, stick, or bicycle. 

(d) No dismounted player or a player with one or both feet touching the ground shall interfere with the game. He may, however, continue with the game as soon as he has removed the above disqualification.  Players are allowed to touch their mallets on the ground, and to rest on their mallets, as long as they are not violating another player's right of way while doing so.