Brighton Home Rules Discussion

OK, shall we have a chat about the rules? I'm really tired of polo being aggy because of differences in understanding of rules or a lack of care to play them. If we have a discussion then we can arrive at a consensus and I may finally shut up about it.

I just want everyone to say their part about how and what rules are played. Any grumbles, annoyances, suggestions or experiences should go here.

If everyone is happy and it's just me then fine, this thread will be empty.

http://www.lhbpa.org/resources/LHBPA_Bike_Polo_Rules.pdf

the link for the rules is great paul, been wanting to find something lkethis for a while.
My main concern is the condition of everyones mallets, there are some pretty shonky ones about with screws in them etc, certainly dont want one catching some skin or face…

11.2.1 and 11.2.6 is what I was saying about the other day. If someones elbow is already in that position (in a turn, pursuit of the ball etc) and it makes contact with another player through body pressure, as I see it that is not 'chicken-winging'.

Cockpit stuff, mallets under wheels, skidding into players, hacking - could be looked at more, collisions in general seem not to bad, but maybe 'cutting up' could be looked at, don't see many T-bones as the courts length doesn't allow greatly for them.

Mallets are varying conditions, but whilst there are long axles, wires, bar-ends etc whizzing round the court, I'd say it's permissible.

Good idea, Dice. I think the main problem we have here is that people are wanting to play at different levels.
The first being how we used to play when I first started last year, which was pretty relaxed, informal and fun.
The other means we all conform to particular safety standards before even thinking about stepping onto the court, which is ruled by each and every letter of the LHBPA rulebook and any misdemeanours will be dealt with swiftly and firmly by 'The Authority'.
I think what we need to do as a collective is decide how we want to play. Informally or competitively?
In the past 6 months Brighton Polo has definitely upped it's game, and as a result things just are going to get more serious. This isn't a bad thing, far from it. But to reference the old team pep talk cliche, what we're in danger of losing sight of here is the reason we all got ourselves into this sport in the first place.
I agree with the mallet comments though.

I never intend to get so heavy on the rules that it's no fun, but equally I find that some of the "rule breaking" that goes on really hampers my fun. I dislike being characterised as a moaner because I call people up on certain behaviours on the court. I never take the fouls personally but I do take it personally when I'm ignored and made out to be a spoilsport. I know I should work on my explanatory style but in the heat of the moment when someone has pulled me back with their elbow then I'll just speak out. Some of the rules are there for safety, as safe as polo can be, but the majority of the rules are there to keep play competitive, to stop unfair advantage being taken or to stop unsportsmanlike behaviour. The things that I've complained most about recently fall into the latter category as I see it.

The way you've put it above, Chris, is that there's either "play by the rules and have no fun" or "go back to the fun we had in the past". I dislike this impression of how things are, as surely we can all play by the rules that we decide are fair and still have fun?

If everyone is happy to just carry on as is then fine, I really will stop mentioning it.

Paul. I agree with you. I was just pointing out the situation as I see it.
Recently play has had a more serious slant to it, and this is obviously due to the more competitive style we've all adopted, pre and post tournament.
I'm not against this in any way. I enjoy the rough and tumble as much as the next player. I understand that the rule book has been created to help make these tussles more fair and safer. But for me working out every players different 'cheats' and then trying to overcome them is a huge part of what any competitive sport is all about.
Rules is rules is rules, and we now have the definitive LHBPA rule book which we should all know inside out if we're going to continue to compete in the National Series and pull our weight with the reffing etc. But throw in's with us lot - surely there should be a bit of leeway to ensure our weekly sessions continue to be a good laugh, slightly drunken...oh, and competitive?x

Back to the mallets, how do people feel about adopting a 'no shonky mallets on the court' rule? To my eyes, the high mallet looks like the most dangerous problem during play at the moment. I know we've got a first aid kit now, but I'd rather not have to use it trying to save an eye or hold a cheek together because somebody couldn't be arsed to counter sink a bolt or cap the end of their shaft! (Matron!)

We may as well stick to the rules as I see it, as when we play in touney's they'll call us up on infringements anyway. As for the fun aspect I don't think it'll affect my fun or indeed anyone else's and, it may well help us to improve.....i'm pretty laid back about rules, as you guys probably know, so I'm not likely to be calling people up on stuff but, I'm happy to abide by them :)

I'd sign up to the Kaos mallet clinic. whats the going rate?

It's a weird situation for you guys, if you want any amends to the LHBPA ruleset considered, then just holler (or just want some background to things).

We went through the stages of finding what "worked" whilst also trying to incorporate changes to the game that the Americans were bringing... hence the current LHBPA ruleset.

At the end of the day, you should be playing the game that you all agree upon and enjoy... the current ruleset has come about through a few years of blacklisting plays (such as ball jointing to goal, or playing people off their bikes with an abrupt t-bone), but is by no stretch of the imagination "extensive" (the "sport" of roller derby has a 49 page rule book for example).

Time will tell how the game will evolve and I urge you all to get as involved with it as you can.

The "we don't want any rules" is the only argument that is likely to fall on deaf ears, been there, done that, still got the scars to show for it, etc.

No shonky mallets on court, or unplugged handlebars as a rule! I've got too many scars as it is from that shit and i don't want anymore!
"Chicken winging" is possibly the most shitty thing you can do whilst playing polo, in my opinion. It's difficult to ref as most of the time you can't see exactly what's happening when two players are in close contact. The use of the elbow, shoulder or arm to gain leverage over the other player or push them off their bike/ball is just not on. It's dangerous and unsportswomanly. it's a desperate move akin to hacking mallets that makes you look like a douche. The LHBPA rules use the words "static elbow" and "like to like" when talking about physical contact. I think we need to start penalising any move that can be seen to be more than like to like/static elbow contact and whilst on the subject any move that involves reaching over/into a players cockpit.
T-boning is another one that gets people raging and rightly so, but it often happens accidentally. We have to bear in mind that we play on fairly small courts and there are 6 people whizzing about on bikes, mostly looking down at a little ball, we're going to end up running into each other! I think that to stop things getting heated, only referees can call t-bones, not players, and the offending players will then have to tap out at the half way line.
You can't play and referee the game!

There is too much ambiguity in the game we play now. I have done certain things that I thought were inside the rules to find that they were not. That's my bad and I'm cool with learning from it and playing better next time. However, I think we should start playing to a standard ruleset (maybe with some tweaks as Jono suggested which will match our style of play and the conditions).

There is also a massive ambiguity on contact rules, as Danny said chicken winging is just plain dangerous and anything that is seen as putting someone at risk of crashing etc is definitely a no. However, where do the rules stand on contact around blocking, chasing down balls etc. I think its in this area that we need to pay more attention as this is where most of disagreements are when we are on court and 'dont be a dick' just doesnt over it any more.

I think the theme of this conversation is heading towards safety. We are all playing faster, better and more competitively and as such we are becoming increasingly concious of the inherent dangers of the game. So the mallet and bike safety rules are a must as well as an agreement on the levels and nature of contact within the game.

I dont agree on any level that being more concious of the rules takes the fun away, if we play within the rules we play better and fairer and hone the skills we need to play in this way and as a result become more competitive for tourneys etc. Otherwise we are just a bunch of lunatics on bikes with sticks.

I also think that we should be reffing the games, not in a strict NS kinda way but someone out of the game to give final say on any issues that arise. With that comes the need for all players to accept reffing decisions as well and respect that we are all just trying to play better and not get agro on court.

Well said Rich.

Hey - are there any meetings in Brighton I can attend? I am new here see

TODAY! Preston Park BB courts. I will be there from 5.30 I think but there will be peeps from 4 I am sure. Come down

I'm so glad people are having their say! I thought that I may have been going out on a limb (wing?) with this but from what other people have written it seems that we are already closer to agreement. I'm most impressed that "chicken-winging" is pretty much unilaterally frowned upon as I'm sure I was shouted down for complaining about it before. This isn't about personal validation/vindication for me - I really want everyone to be happy and confident with the way we play to stop the arguments and ill feeling during matches.

I've said it before but I seriously do enjoy polo with all of you, I think you are great people and really want to continue. We are Brighton polo and so we should act fairly and responsibly to ensure that we can expand the sport here for everyone. We're on the cusp of an expansion to give us the ability to form a league, the strength and success of this is dependent on our ability to agree and act as a group.

Love you too, Dicey baby. Big mwahs!!xx

11.4.1 – Mallet–to–mallet contact is allowed (however it is poor etiquite to interact with another players mallet if he is not playing the ball or in front of the goal).

this is the only thing i question.hooking a mallet when the other player is in the process of going for the ball is therefore allowed.if the player doesn't actually have the ball but looks like he will be you are able to hook. i.e if hes in close contact with the ball?

You can hook whoever/whenever you want, but it's likely to annoy people (especially in throw-ins). If it results in a reckless situation then you'd possibly get called on it.

Hooking players (and screening/blocking players) off the ball is essentially admitting that you're more useful "taking out" a player on the other team than being in space/active in the game yourself. So if it bothers you in throw-ins, just remember that they're essentially suggesting that you're a better player then them, win.

Hooking/hacking is a problem area. Taking a wind-up and smacking someone's mallet away is extremely frustrating to the player on the receiving end but I think a well-placed hook or pin (not a hit) on a mallet should be OK. In a 50/50 situation or in direct competition for a loose ball then I think it's fine but holding a player back when you've got no chance to get to the ball is awful, as Jono says it's basically admitting that you've lost the ball and are trying to compensate for that.

Hooking players when you can't get to the ball is surely the point? if someone's going for a shot and you hook their mallet stopping them shooting, that's well played you? Randomly hooking players off the ball (other than goalie) is pretty lame, I guess when theres multiple goal blockers you could count them all as goalies and try and hook them out.

I think the distinction is using the hook when the player has already gone. If, for instance, someone has fairly beaten or dispossessed you by dribbling or a bb shot, then hooking them as they pass you seems to me to be pretty unsportsmanlike. If you are directly competing for the ball or are in a position to block a player with a shot on, then I think a hook can make sense. I have obvious reservations about reaching over someone's mount to effect the hook or block.

I still think that this discussion is slightly moot and would be resolved by better definition of the types of play at our sessions.

When I am playing competitively, I expect people to push the rules and am willing to accept more plays which are contentious and unless a ref would actively call the player out, I won't bat an eyelid. When I'm playing for warm-up, I would consider unsportsmanlike behaviour unecessary and will personally call someone out for being a dick.

in short:
Serious play - Ref needed to call players out
Casual play - Don't be a dick

If we define how we are playing, maybe with the definition of reffed and non-reffed games, then we won't have the same issues.

I think Tim's is a salient point, as found out in the tournament, when playing competitively, I really don't like to lose, and will try to manufacture any advantage I can. I've always been taught to play sport that way, and I'm not going to treat polo any different. I can handle performing a 'dick move' if it means not conceding a goal in a competitive match.

So it raises the point of defining the two days: Wednesday and Sunday as Serious/friendly. Or define individual games on each day serious/friendly.

I'm happy to ref games when I'm there, as I feel more confident with my knowledge of the rules, and calling things against people I play with (not like that!)...

Arrgh Tim! Just when I had everyone conversing and agreeing on things you come in and call it all moot! It's not moot to me, it really affects how much I enjoy polo.

Strangely Joe, I feel the opposite - I would be less likely to try a questionable or risky manoeuvre when I was playing in a tourney. Having said that, I don't feel that I make many fouls in our throw-ins, I'm usually the one calling out "dick moves". I understand that I am not infallible and as such, won't take offence to someone calling me out on my bad behaviour - after all this discussion is to establish just what constitutes a foul or dick move in Brighton polo.

Lol, I ruinz everyfing.