Course
Reaching


Why Reaching is a Rule

Improper Use of the Stick: No player may hook an opponent’s stick unless on the same side of the opponent’s pony as the ball, or in a direct line behind, and the stick is neither over, nor under, nor across any part of the opponent’s pony, nor between a pony’s legs.

Reaching is a rule as its use can be a serious tripping hazard for a pony and it can therefore result in a serious fall or a potentially harmful stumble for both horse and rider.

How the Reaching Rule is Applied


The reaching rule applies to both attacking and defending players equally and should be penalised in the same way.

Situationally, when considering an offensive player there are a few common occurrences where the reaching rule is called including:

  • The player in possession of the ball hits the ball with angle off to the right. As they try to position themselves to strike the ball again, they do not restablish the right of way over an oncoming defender. The player originally in possession of the ball then reaches out to try and regain possession, but reaches across the defender who is now established on the right of way.

  • When receiving a pass, the ball can be arriving ahead of an oncoming defender. If the ball isn't hit far enough ahead that allows the receiver to establish the right of way, they can often reach in front of the defender to try and gain possession.

On the defensive side of the ball, the reaching rule is less common, but still occurs. This can be due to an attacking player playing the ball ahead of their horse and a defending player thinking they have enough time and space to establish possession. In this situation, it is important to know that the ball needs to come past their stirrup in order to be the established player on the right of way. Otherwise, the defender is reaching back across the attacking player to create a dangerous situation. In a similar play to the attacking player, a defender can also be called on the reaching rule on a pass, as they try to intercept the ball, but haven't fully established the right of way before gaining possession over the oncoming receiver.

Procedure of the Reaching Rule

The penalty for breaching the reaching rule is a foul against the offending player.

The outcome and ball placement are determined by the severity of danger created and the field position of either the attacking or defending player. Whoever is fouling.

The game is started with the appropriate penalty according to field position and danger of the foul. In the case of an attacking team, the penalty will generally be moved up or maybe a spot hit if the player is static. In the case of the defending team, the ball placement will generally be a spot hit, but again maybe moved up as appropriate.

The Reaching Rule at Different Levels of Polo


There is very little difference between high goal and low goal in the treatment of this foul. However, there is a greater prevalence of this in low goal polo vs high goal polo.

The most common error when a player is blown for reaching is a lack of patience. The player generally needs to wait until the secondary part of the play to be able to make a play at the ball.

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