Official NA Hardcourt Bike Polo Rules

I don't like any rule that requires the ref to decide intent.

+1.

In my view, a goal should only ever be called when the ball crosses the line. Personally, I think that the offending player should be expelled from the remainder of the game.

+1.. Its not a goal unless it crosses the line.

What if they didnt mean to be in the way though? Or if someone is blocking their way out, as often happens when everyone is in the D (and even more so when theres a net and no way out the back..)

You cant automatically expel a player in that situation, or else Im going to make sure Im in front of the keeper every time he dabs so he cant get out the way. So you'd have to make that "intentionally" being in the way after a dab, which is the usage of "intent" we're both against.

and with that any 19540 shooting of the ball in the left hand side???

and any back shooting?

You cant automatically expel a player in that situation, or else Im going to make sure Im in front of the keeper every time he dabs so he cant get out the way. So you'd have to make that "intentionally" being in the way after a dab, which is the usage of "intent" we're both against.

Well, that's easily solved - clearly blocking a player from tapping is not on. And in any case, if you're dabbed, it's easy to get out of the way, no matter what the opposition is trying to do. I am trying to imagine a situation where an attacking player could block a dabbed player such as to keep him/her in the way of goal, and not be in the way of goal him/herself, but...

and with that any 19540 shooting of the ball in the left hand side???

and any back shooting?

You can hit the ball in both those situations without raising your mallet above chest height.

Well, that's easily solved - clearly blocking a player from tapping is not on. And in any case, if you're dabbed, it's easy to get out of the way, no matter what the opposition is trying to do. I am trying to imagine a situation where an attacking player could block a dabbed player such as to keep him/her in the way of goal, and not be in the way of goal him/herself, but...

"clearly" blocking is wrong. But thats intent. If theres 4-5 players in the D, all attempting to play the ball, and the keeper dabs, you think we're going to get out the way? What if I cant move away because theres someone blocking me? Again, think about the restrictions nets and crossbars pose in terms of ways out for a keeper with 4 players surrounding him.

Or another example. We've all seen the "shoot slowly and hook the keepers mallet" approach. Automatic exclusion means that if that shot is blocked by the hooked keepers foot/bike after their foot hits the ground, you'd have to send the keeper off. What about a 2 on 1 play where I take out the keeper and the 2nd player shoots for his bike, then appeals to the ref? As long as that shot is heading for goal, thats disqualification.

Jon, stop talking about rules, and start getting ready for playing. You coming to d'ham today?

hell yeah

Nice.

The blue/yellow piping we're mostly using is 62mm OD, which is within the US rules (but not your suggestion of 2 3/8", or 60.2mm). Its also coincidentally 50mm ID, which makes it pretty cool as far as I can see.

i had just thought that pipe was 2 3/8". the pipe you're describing is fine for fair play, it's just the stuff with an ID >2" that changes the game quite a lot

bill what about a dabbed player who blocked a goal just having to go off until their team is scored on rather than the rest of the match, that seems to be a fairer ruling imo

bill what about a dabbed player who blocked a goal just having to go off until their team is scored on rather than the rest of the match, that seems to be a fairer ruling imo

I dunno. Of all of the illegal moves, this (dabbed player blocks shot on goal) this is one of those that has the potential to alter the outcome of a game. One has to make the penalty such that the enforcement negates the advantage gained. Perhaps what you suggest does that.

I have to say I agree with the comments about banning high sticking, it's unnecessary and dangerous.
Ejecting the goalie for blocking a goal os pretty dumb, as suggested maybe a lesser penalty should be imposed.
I'm not entirely sold on the whole yellow/red card thing either, however I think that timed penalties for players would be a great addition to tournament play, (power plays FTW!)
and no bike on bike?!? This I a contact sport that we play on bikes!!!

8.2 - "Ball dragging" is allowed, however the ball must be passed before a goal can be scored.

Bummer... I am one of the guilty one prior to this being made illegal... Finding it hard to readjust... Damned...

I don't get this rule, isn't ball dragging just like a dribble in football? A beautiful solo crafted goal?

Just a beginner here, any comments to the above would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Regards,
Benjamin

I don't get this rule, isn't ball dragging just like a dribble in football? A beautiful solo crafted goal?

If you want to compare it to football it would be more like flicking the ball up under your jersey then running all the way up the pitch and into goal.

Brilliant!
Love that Dave.

I don't get this rule, isn't ball dragging just like a dribble in football? A beautiful solo crafted goal?

If you want to compare it to football it would be more like more like flicking the ball up under your jersey then running all the way up the pitch and into goal.

I'm with Dave. Ball-jointing. Is. Not. Polo.

Flicking it up and catching it under your shirt requires skill though. Somebody that's never played polo before can ball joint and take the ball the length of the court.

not that much skill

We play along the rule that dragging is the same as a shuffle. Otherwise 'Coventry Eagle' would have scored hundreds of goals by now

the rules for the Worlds are up

Chucker and JBrown, start thinking in a buy a brake....

2.2 - The bike must have at least one handbrake.

from Ben Chicago

"And on that note, our rules mandate that all equipment on the court must be dialed. We're taking issue with all equipment issues that may pose risk to participants - shitty mallets, janky bikes, etc. These issues have no place at a high level tourney. So, don't take it personally - we're raising the bar all around."

^ good and good. The way it should be.

Delayed penalty call ftw! awesome that they put that in..

chukker brakelessless.

7.4 - Ball-joint and side-joint: Not to be confused with a scoop pass, toss or other ball handling. The ball-joint / side-joint is defined as pinning the ball between an open end of the mallet head and the playing surface and then dragging it. Ball-jointing / side-jointing will be allowed ONLY in the player's defensive zone. Ball jointing / side-jointing in the offensive zone will result in the ball turnover and concession of half-court.

Interesting, so no ball jointing at all in the offensive half?

Surely there is a very fine line between a ball joint and a scoop pass? Is it even physically possible to have a scoop pass without a tiny bit of ball jointing?

Does that also mean you score off a ball joint again, as long the joint is finished before you enter the offensive half?

And more to the point, are we going to implement that rule here? at least after the league, anyway.