Polo Rules

I'm the only person that has said they're considering changing the way they play so I wouldn't worry too much.

This is the rules thread, so people will use real world examples to discuss them, this doesn't mean they're going to be doing said examples... just that they now see it as "legal" (or whatever).

But yeah, London is pretty good from a looking after each other perspective... as you were.

This is the rules thread, so people will use real world examples to discuss them, this doesn't mean they're going to be doing said examples... just that they now see it as "legal" (or whatever).

They'll understand it better when someone does it to them, and the ref calls no foul.

Please excuse me cross posting what I wrote on LOBP:

*I think Will fouled on both occasions.

But the T-Bone ruling is too simplistic, so I can't refer to anything to explain my call.

No one can defend themselves under this ruleset, as a player or a ref you are left with nothing to hold when questioned on your decisions. The rules mean nothing as they are open to such wide interpretation.*

The Euros and Americans don't agree with our interpretation of the vague rules.

I would like to suggest that we need to hold to our interpretation of the rules so that when new ruling begins to be written we can influence.

We are not wrong, it is our interpretation. They are not wrong, it's theirs...

As football is played, and reffed, differently across the world, so will polo. Let's not think we should be able to travel anywhere and play exactly as we do as home.

I am aware that when I travel to America I will need to play harder and put up with certain aspects of the game. I am aware that when I travel to Lausanne, reffing will not exist at all! I'm sure Rory is aware that next summer he will have to tone down certain aspects of his game. We all need to be aware of regional differences in the game, and they are not a bad thing, that's what makes all these different polo locales so interesting!

We don't need to conform until we have a global ruleset, even then we will interpret that differently I'm sure.

Let's not make knee-jerk reactions to a forum argy, that lots of important polo players were not even involved in. If it wasn't for London, there would not be a Euro ruleset to argue about and as Kev said, they wrote the NA off the back of ours.

We hold weight, but we lose it if we give in right now.

Ever sage, Snoops.

We hold weight, but we lose it if we give in right now.

I'm not giving in, but I definitely need a period of reflection & consideration - probably not on the internet - but definitely I want to consult. Part of the difficulty is that we don't have any structures between the LHBPA and the NAH that allow us to negotiate through this. Where is the EHBPA?

I also value the views of my own polo community more than those outside, so I'd like to consult within the structures of the LHBPA. Quite how I haven't figured out. I'd also like Jono's input re: Rouen, and some input from other UK scenes, as well as some from Europe, as long as it's measured, reasonable & doesn't amount to "I'm a cool polo player who has been in magazines, and I have lots of stickers on my bike therefore my opinion counts more than yours", which some of what I have read has amounted to.

Good points Snoops, but London definitely seems to be in the small minority right now, time will tell.

Ryan (after absorbing the LHBPA rules) gave me clarification on the rules (that I had written) and pointed out that they were more likely to be interpreted the way he had read them (for certain things), that was definitely an eye opener... rules are difficult things to put down concisely, finger's crossed the NAH 2012 ruleset clarifies a few things.

Good points Snoops, but London definitely seems to be in the small minority right now, time will tell.

Yes, but as long as we all agree within our community that we are doing the best job in the world than let's be happy about that. Others will follow.

Do you think we will have less applicants for the LO2012 or LII2013? No we wont, as they will be some of the best tournaments the coming 12 months. The best teams will fight over the available spots and they will know how they are going to be reffed when they get here, which is more than you can say for most tournaments.

As long we are a solid scene who discusses these things thoroughly, puts them into practice professionally, and then throws the best tournaments with the most fun pub sessions afterwards, others will respect our decisions and possibly follow. The more we waiver right now, the more unsure we appear. Let's be confident in the direction we have taken. I am. But let's also be aware of cultural differences and let them be, eventually things will level out. But London can't convince the whole of North America to give up the direction they have taken within a thread on LOBP.

Yes, but as long as we all agree within our community that we are doing the best job in the world than let's be happy about that. Others will follow.

Do you think we will have less applicants for the LO2012 or LII2013? No we wont, as they will be some of the best tournaments the coming 12 months. The best teams will fight over the available spots and they will know how they are going to be reffed when they get here, which is more than you can say for most tournaments.

As long we are a solid scene who discusses these things thoroughly, puts them into practice professionally, and then throws the best tournaments with the most fun pub sessions afterwards, others will respect our decisions and possibly follow. The more we waiver right now, the more unsure we appear. Let's be confident in the direction we have taken.

Sage words, indeed. Beats getting trolled by Eh Jackal on LOBP.

Small point: waver not waiver?

Amongst other mistakes, yes. I am smashing these out in brief moments on the bog, so I do apologise.

Amongst other mistakes, yes. I am smashing these out in brief moments on the bog, so I do apologise.

Did you mean 'bog' or 'dog'?

Did you just email me whilst doing a poop?

I only ever contact you with a shit hanging out my arse.

Nice one.

In my view, it's totally stupid, and encourages dangerous play. Also, most of the London courts do not have smooth walls. You have to be super careful taking someone into the walls at speed as the fences at Mitch, Downs & Newt will tear the inside rider's hands off the bars. This is covered in the rules.

In fact I had a dramatic eye-opener at Downs last month, as I did just that (closing the door hard, just as Greg had taught me to) on Todd, and he got badly stuck in the fence. I am so used to doing it at Davout (our hockey rink) that I didn't think twice. I apologised then and apologise again now.

However there is one thing that doesn't make much sense to me in this whole discussion: a lot of people seem to be afraid of the game getting more physical. But what I've seen in my years of playing polo and applying stickers on my frame is a game that is getting cleaner every year. No doubt at all. Big crashes with tacoed wheels, blood, broken forks etc.. are getting rarer and rarer. People are a bit faster but have better bike control, better brakes, more experience, so I'm not worried in the slightest.
The only dangerous play I've been subjected to happened at a London tournament, with a British player and a British ref (who didn't call a foul on a move that could have resulted in me being in a wheelchair today...). Evil stem-lifting scoundrels will know what I'm talking about...

Yorgo, you put Todd into the fence twice at Downs!

Stem lifting is not cool, agreed, sorry again that I missed it.

I think another reason for the backlash against London is because we always volunteer (or are asked) to be in positions of authority (refs, rule writing, tournament organising, etc), this then makes us look like asses... no doubt there will be less volunteers moving forward (although we will still strive to be at the forefront of all things bike polo).

I believe the phrase was 'despicable stem lifting scoundrel'

I warned you several times to release my arm from your euro chicken wing before i grabbed your stem. I didnt actually expect you to go all 'martin baker' on me. I truly apologize.

I shall never live it down however many 1/2 bagels i give you. I can never forgive you for calling me british though. I'm a hoser with a limey passport.

However there is one thing that doesn't make much sense to me in this whole discussion: a lot of people seem to be afraid of the game getting more physical. But what I've seen in my years of playing polo and applying stickers on my frame is a game that is getting cleaner every year. No doubt at all. Big crashes with tacoed wheels, blood, broken forks etc.. are getting rarer and rarer. People are a bit faster but have better bike control, better brakes, more experience, so I'm not worried in the slightest.

Were you at Hell's Belles? 3 people in the hospital, numerous big offs, which proves your point perhaps.

I missed both the 2010 Worlds & Euros, and you're right, there was a big improvement in skills from Euro 2009 to 2011. I'm not sure if there were less offs, or if it was less dangerous though, but that may have been because the slick surface and low boards in Barcelona.

Yorgo, you put Todd into the fence twice at Downs!

The only prob with this was the court. Nothing to do with the rules IMO. At the beginning of any tourney, we can see what the courts are like and rules may need to be enforced if there's a possibility of danger. We know how to play so lets keep up the pressure London!

nice words, snoops. (i also post a lot from the bog fyi)

brendan, please use the return key more, i can't read your posts.

the other day at Mitch (when chasing Max down on the outside of his turn), I should have cut across him once I had the front wheel advantage (downing him hard) rather than hold my line, etc.

should have turned across me, i would have done it to you.

and i would still love mitch.

i think whether or not there is a difference in rules between europe and NA there is definitely a difference in the way we play. (NA is more physical etc)

and the game in europe is definitely heading towards the games we saw at the worlds last year. I do like the way NA plays and i think it is more entertaining to watch/participate in but the only thing that would annoy me is the use of elbows. i noticed there is a lot of it (where instead we would use our shoulders).

this video is a good example of the more physical game and it shows how call me daddy (who played awesomely) had to adapt their game in order to win. also check the elbow at 10.10, this is what i am talking about.

http://vimeo.com/30232901

10:05 to 10:15 is ugly polo.

Utter dick moves.

What's the commentator on about '...all nice and clean though...'!

i wouldnt say it was a real dick move, because of the situation (worlds, semi-final, hot weather everyone tired induces sloppy play etc) and they were both giving it to each other, i probably wouldnt mind if that happened to me in a semi final. but in a throw in it would be completely unnecessary.

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