London Bike Polo Court discussions

If we can get one of these built then I'm sure others will follow a lot easier (after it is proved to be successful).

Massive props to the people who are working on this and talking to the councils.

I know this isn't a place for a rules discussion but whilst we're on the subject of D's, I personally think we should be going behind the goal when returning after a goal rather than through the D. It was hard to make sure people were doing it properly at the Euros, behind the goal is more definite.

This would be amazing if it happened. Reminds me of trying to get a skatepark for Congleton back in the day. Anything we can do to help just shout.

I know this isn't a place for a rules discussion but whilst we're on the subject of D's, I personally think we should be going behind the goal when returning after a goal rather than through the D. It was hard to make sure people were doing it properly at the Euros, behind the goal is more definite.

Behind the goal means the goal is potentially left wide open.

The reason a lot of non-UK players didn't naturally return to their goal is because we're the only one's that I know of who goes all the way back to the goal instead of just cross half court. (maybe Paris because of Yorgo) This is why I mentioned a quarter-court line a few posts above to sort of meet in the middle of what we've always done and what the rest of the world does.

I think the smaller corner radius is better, after playing Rouen, the ball ended up going around the court time after time.

The base board (the one the ball rolls against) needs to be made of hardwood, so the ball actually rebounds off it, rather than softwood that tends to accept the ball and hold it.

I think the markings are good, 2 D is good, they should be different colours so it's clear, and also we may change the rules, so it would be good to have different colours so it's easier to clarify rules.

It would be amazing if we get a court!!!

hardwood is a good point, passes off the wall at downham are awesome.

dope! my 2pence

i agree about less rounded corners

i would strongly push for no immovable goals (way too dangerous if you ask me, and you could argue the court could then be used by other sports too)

as rik said keep it simple, one D works now, so if it ain't broke...

i do quite like the 1/4 line marking to return to, more and more in pick up i've noticed people just go back to the top of the d

maybe try and get something immovable and metal to hit when you tap out ( i really enjoyed this at cambridge)

I'm thinking along the same lines as everyone else. Less rounded corners. D rule for through the back goal (it's a superior rule in this case, I assume most Americans don't use it because their courts don't have Ds). Two Ds or not I'm not that bothered one way or the other... Hardwood for the base of the boards would be ace.

What about having some sort of hole/fitting in the floor (flush when not in use) for the goals so the goal posts don't need to have bases and the goals are still removable?

Running into solid goals may be an issue though? Spring loaded bases to allow (hard) impact movement?

yeh like corner flags in football. but wider post diameter for clearer goal decisions.

Posts with bendy bases to allow crash movement but not ball movement wod be great.

Had a bit of a think about some of the issues raised above - did you guys ever see deformable bollards [like at race tracks, or on the motorway] There are many differing types, but here is one english version I found after a small amount of searching:

http://www.rediweld.co.uk/traffic/crash_friendly-jislon_highways.asp

One drawback may be getting smacked after it pops back up, although my intuition veers towards it being managable.

There are many types of deformable posts/bollards/markers varying in height and construction, but it would be sensible to find the most readily available type for use.

It may be possible to obtain samples for trials, I have not looked into it yet.

good find Venn, they look good

Is it just me who's snickering childishly at the name "Jislon"?

;1005090']

http://www.rediweld.co.uk/traffic/crash_friendly-jislon_highways.asp

It may be possible to obtain samples for trials, I have not looked into it yet.

I've asked a rep from Jizz-Loins to bring some samples, which we can borrow and take a look at; she's coming on the 27th.

If you have any specific questions let me know.

Ok, feedback time, this thread is getting bumped as potentially we're going to end up with a "pop-up" court off the back of the London Cycle Show (funding permitting).

View the attached PDF please. Here's the synopsis:

• 39m x 18m court (made up of 3m lengths).
  
• 180cm goals (we already have these).
  
• 4m rounded corners.
  
  
  

Proposed markings (may as well do these):

• 3m between the back of the court and the goal line.
  
• Extended goal line for safety (player awareness of position on court).
  
• 6m D (not necessary if we change the ruleset for a ball turnover on shuffled goals).
  
• D-line for splitting the court into three areas: two regular halfs and a dashes mid court area (they all overlap each other), also used for player positioning and court awareness.
  
  
  

The markings I just had a stab at, it'd be good to have more input. The court size, corners and goal positioning have been gleamed from Karlsruhe, Geneva and Berlin.

1 Attachment

• polo_court.pdf

Looks good, how does the size compare to the uk champs court?

exciting.

Pique, the good court at the Worlds was 42x20 aprox
Jono, how deep are the goals? maybe a tiny bit more room behing the goals?

ok cool, so this is pretty similar.

I would say angled corners are better than curved ones for keeping the ball in play.

Curved corners would mean you can do awesome ice hockey passes cross court round the back of the goal though.

I'd prefer either smaller corner radius (1 or 2 meters max) or just good old angled corners. The big curved corners just suck the ball into the wall.

And, like Rik, would prefer a bit more room behind goals.

ps. if you need help creating to scale drawing, give me a shout

Tricky one, curved corners means the ball keeps rolling, angled means it bounces back into the court? Our mallets are not particularly good at getting the ball off the side, so Emmet may have a point.

Amended the PDF to have 4 more even quarters and goals further in.

1 Attachment

• polo_court_v2.pdf

angled over curved anytime

but what we really need is poll