International 4 player rules of bicycle polo

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Bicycle polo is a team game that consists of hitting a ball in the other team's goal according to the following rules governed by the International Bicycle Polo Federation - I.B.P.F.:

GENERAL RULES

1. The cycles

2. Size of ground

3. Ball

4. Qualification of players

5. Umpires, referees and goal judges

6. Timekeeper and scorer

7. Game

8. Handicap calculation

9. Play continuous

10. Termination of periods

11. Penalty exacted next period

12. Game stopped

13. Last period

14. Tie

15. Widened goals

16. Rules for widened goals

17. Prolongation in case of penalty

18. Unfinished matches

19. How game is won

20. Confusing colours

21. Registration

22. Transfer

23. Qualification of junior

24. Certificate for umpire

FIELD RULES

1. Definition of foul

2. Dead ball

3. Disqualified cycle

4. Safety zone

5. Starting of the Game

6. How goal is scored

7. Changing of ends

8. Attackers hit behind

9. Unnecessary delay

10. Defenders hit behind

11. Ball hit out

12. Restarting after interval

13. Damaged ball

14. Carrying the ball

15. Crossing the right of way

16. Riding off

17. Dangerous riding

18. Rough handling

19. Misuse of stick

20. Dismounted player

21. Accident or injury

22. Unable to play due to injury

23. Disablement

24. When game is not stopped

25. Restarting when ball was not out

26. Consecutive three time touch

27. Blocking of way

28. Discretion of umpires

PENALTIES

1. Penalty goal

2. 15 meters hit

3. 25 meters hit

4. 45 meters hit (opposite goal)

5. Free hit from the spot

6. 45 meters hit (opposite where ball crossed)

7. Another hit (penalty 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6)

8. Player to retire

9. Cycles ordered off

10. Player excluded


GENERAL RULES

1. The cycles

A cycle of any make and size shall be used.
Any attachment such as mud guards, bell, stand, carrier, etc. will not be allowed for use in cycle polo.
The umpires will check the cycles before the start of the game and an objection of any kind will be brought to the notice of the Technical Committee, whose decision will be final.

2. Size of ground

(a) The ground size shall not exceed 150 meters in length by 100 meters in width in national and International Championship. Similarly no ground less than 120 meters in length and 80 meters in width shall be used for Cycle Polo. Sub-Junior and Women Championship may be played on ground 120x80 Mtrs.

(b) Goal Posts shall be 4 meters apart and at equal distance from the corners.

(c) Ideal size of Goal Post shall be at least 2.5 meters in height, 1.5 meters in circumfrance at the bottom and shall be light enough to break or fall if collided with.

3. Ball

For the London Championship, subject to the avaibality and confirmation from the host country, the arena polo ball will be used. Options to find a cycle polo ball will continue by all concerned.

4. Qualification of players

(a) The number of players is limited to four on each side in all games and matches. However, a team may consist of six players including two extras.

(b) No player shall play with his left hand.

(c) A player may be substituted from one of his team player during a match without taking any formal permission but only during the interval between the chukkars. It will, however, be the duty of coach and or manager to inform umpires, Referee, timekeeper/Scorer of this change. In a handicap tournament the higher handicap player will not be allowed to substitute a lower handicap player during a match. However, if a lower handicap player has substituted higher handicap player during a match, the original team handicap shall be continued irrespective of the period in which the substitution takes place.
Unilited substitutions will be allowed during anyone match. However the technicall committee shall have power to allow a substitution to take place during a match in case of a serious injury. The injured player thereafter, can not take part in that match.

(d) In all important matches a team may consist of maximum of six players wearing jersey from n° 1 to n° 6, which must be worn in accordance to the entry form. The coach of manager will have right to field any four players out of six players during a match in any tournament or championship and can substitute in between chukkers from any of the remaining player during a match. Substitution of a player punished under penalty Clause 10 will be governed under the rule of the said Clause.

(e) The two teams shall wear distinctive colours and each player on each side shall have a number (1-6) of minimum 9" to 12" in size on the back of his Jersey in all important matches.

(f) No player can represent a team or substitute other players unless he has completed registration formalitites in all respect with Cycle Polo Federation of India.

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, alongwith 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. In National Tournaments only "A" white certificate holders will be appointed as umpires and Referees. However, due to non-availability or shortage, the Technical Committee may appoint "B" grade umpires.

(b) In all matches Goal judges and two linemen shall be appointed, each of whom shall give testimony to the umpires at the later'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 of 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 convey to the concerned committee 24 hours before the start of the match in writing. 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 alongwith prescribed fee. The Tournament of Technical Committee's decision, which will be given then and there, shall be final. In the event of final match, objection should be raised during interval following the Chukkar in shich 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.

6. Timekeeper and scorer

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

7. Game

a) The match duration of play is 30 minutes, divided into 4 period 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 team shall line up in the middle of the ground on either side of the half line, and the umpire shall bowl the ball under hand, 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 upto elbow more than three times consecutively. He can touch again for three time only after the ball touches another player, stick, or cycle.

d) No dismounted player or a player with one or both feet touching or having touching the ground shall interfere with the game. He may however, continue with the game as soon as he has remove the above disqualification i.e. vide rules 7(c).
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.

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 chukkar for each additional chukkar the goal 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 addtional 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 ia 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 cycles 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 lst period when the score is not tide) 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 umpires 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 fault 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.

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 te ball has been put into play, and the original regular time has expired, the final bell shall be rung. The match shall termineate as usual on the first stroke of the final bell.

18. Unfinished match

Once 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.

21. Registration

(a) For all intents and purposes the year of the registration will be the calendar year i.e. 1st April to 31st March.

(b) (deleted)

(c) Registration and transfer fee will not be refundable and will be payable every year.

22. Transfer

(deleted)

23. Qualification of junior

To qualify for junior, a player who has not reached the age of 18 years on the 31st December of the year preceeding that in which Junior championship is played, further a player or his state Association must submit School certificate in original or in case where school certificate is not available proper affidavit on a stamp paper signed by 1st class magistrate should be submitted as proof for his age.

24. Certificate for umpires

The Technical Committee will be sole judge for the issue of such certificates to the deserving candidates. "A" certificate holder will be entitled to umpire or referee all national or International tournaments. "B" certificate holders only local and provincial tournaments.


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 over-ruled or if the foul will be against the defending side whether or not the foul is confirmed.

3. Disqualified cycle

Cycle 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, cycle, 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 under hand and hard between the opposing ranks of players, from a distance of not less then five meters the players remaning 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 Umpre is between these posts, it shall also count as a goals.

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 as 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 rake 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". Non 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.

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 cycle or stick penalty 6 shall be exacted. If the ball strikes any other player or his cycle before going behind, it shall be hit in-in accordance with Field Rule 8.

11. Ball hit out (side line)

When the ball will hit or is deflected by cycle, stick or body of a player over the side lines, a free hit only to ba taken by backhand, from the spot from where it was out, will be awarded to the opposite team. No players will stand within 10 metters from the penalty spot.

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 cycle, 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.

15. Crossing the right of way

(a) (i) At each moment of the game there shall exist a Right of Way, which shall be considered to extend ahead of the player entitled to it, and in the direction in which he is riding.

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

(a) (ii) The Right of Way which is defined in paras (c) to (e) below, is not to be confused with the line of the ball and does not depend on who last hit.

The line of the ball

(b) (i) The line of the ball will be the line of its course or the line produced at any moment.

(b) (ii) If the line of the ball changes unexpectedly, for example when a ball glances off a cycle and as a result the Right of way changes, the player who had the Right of Way will be given room to continue a short distances on his original Right of Way.

(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.

(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, the Right of way will belong to that player who shall have the line of the ball on his off side. The same rule will apply to players meeting the ball at exactly equal angles from opposite side 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.

Checking

(g) (i) No player will check or pull-up or block either on or across the Right of Way if by so doing he runs the slightest risk of collision with the player entitled to it.

(g) (ii) If a player enters safely on the Right of Way by virtue of a safe distance from the other, the player following the ball shall not ride into him from behind but shall take the ball on the near side or off side of his own cycle as the case may be.

16. Riding off

A player shall not ride-off any other player by cycle or any part of his body.

Note:

(i) If an attacker is taking the ball on the off side, the defender will only tackle or hit the ball or hook-stick from his near side only. Taking ball to off side and hitting the ball back by the defender will constitute ride off, though actual body or cycles have not touched.

(ii) If however, the attacker is taking the ball near side, the defender will only touch the ball or hook-stick from his off-side.

(iii) Similarly an attacker taking the ball on the off side, seeing the defender coming to tackle, will not suddenly cross the line of the ball and take the ball near side and vice versa thereby riding him off, though actual touch by cycle or body has not taken place, will constitute riding-off.

17. Dangerous riding

A player will not ride dangerously, as for example:

(a) Coming at an angle dangerous to a player or his cycle.

(b) Zigzagging in front of another player riding at speed, in such a way as to cause the latter to check his pace or risk a fall.

(c) Pulling across or over a cycle front wheel in such a manner as to risk tripping the cycle.

(d) Riding an opponent across the Right of Way.

(e) Riding an opponent in such a manner as to intimidate and cause him to pull out or miss his strike, although no foul or cross actually occurs.

(f) "Sandwiching" i.e. two players of the same team sandwiching an opponent by coming in from opposite side at the same time.

18. Rough handling

No player shall seize with the hand, strike or push with the head, hand, forearm, elbow or leg another player or cycle.

19. Misuse of stick

(a) No player will hook an opponent's stick unless he is in the same side of the opponent's cycle or the ball or in a direct line behind, and his stick is neither over or under the body or across the wheels of an opponent's cycle nor will he hook or strike an opponent's stick above shoulder level. The stick will not be hooked or struck unless the opponent is in the act of striking at the ball.

(b) Any one hitting a jumping ball in the air across or over the height of wheels of the cycles while he is within the vicinity of any other players will be a foul. The umpire at his discretion will judge whether the other person is in the vicinity or not, his judgement will be final.

(c) Every Cycle Polo stick should have a wristband and the band must be put in the wrist of the player while playing the game.

20. Dismounted player

No dismounted player or a player with one foot or both feet touching or having touched the ground shall interfere with the game. He may however continue with the game as soon as he has removed the above disqualification i.e. vide rule 7(c). This Rule applies to the area within the safety zone.

21. Accident or injury

(a) If a player falls off his cycle the umpire shall not stop the game, unless he is of the opinion that the player is injured. What constitutes a fall will leave 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.
In the international matches, the umpire may award penalty n° 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 occured, 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 thought 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 umpire says "Play" or idicates 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 cycle.

Note: A player by virtue of his having touched the ball three times consecutively will loose his Right of way. He has to give way to other players coming from any direction to tackle the ball or extablish 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.

27. Blocking of way

No player will block the other playes 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 deciston 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 the referee in the event of the umpires disagreeing on the penalty.


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 fouler'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 player 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 its 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. Free hit from the spot

(a) 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 meter of the ball, while the palyers of the side fouled will remain free to place themselves wherever they choose.

Free hit from the centre

(b) 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 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. Cycles ordered off

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

10. Players warned excluded

The umpire will carry yellow and red cards. In case of delebrate 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 n° 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 n° 10 is in addition to any other penalty given by the umpire for the offence committed.


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