Course
The Basics: 1 Meeting 2
Learning Objective

In this Beginner Course on the 1 Meeting 2 rule, you will learn the basics of why the rule is implemented and when it is called in a game. It is a rule targeted at safety to avoid the risk of a collision between horses of players travelling in one direction compared to a player travelling in the opposite direction. The rule uses the right of way and the line of the ball to determine which players have the right to make a play on the ball. After folllowing the below lesson, the goal is to correctly understand the rule and how it is applied.
The 1 Meeting 2 Rule
The definition of the 1 Meeting 2 rule states:
"Two opposing players riding on the exact line of the ball and simultaneously making a play on each other, whether following or meeting, have precedence over all other players."

What does this mean? First, let's take a look at a walkthrough demonstration of the rule.


Step-by-Step Demonstration

Looking at this rule in detail, we can go step-by-step through each key position of this rule.

1. Two players are approaching the ball, on the line of the ball and riding side-by-side. Looking back to the rule, with two players riding on the exact line of the ball will take precedence over any other players. This means in this situation, the two players at the bottom of the below image will have the right to approach the ball over the player in the black jersey coming from the top of the image.

1 Meeting 2 Phase 1
2. The two players that are riding on the line of the ball and engaged with each other are approaching the ball (yellow box). The player in the white jersey has the first right to play the ball in this situation. In regards to danger, if a player is focused on the opposing player beside them while approaching the ball, a third player should not enter the play from the opposite direction since it creates an increased risk of a very dangerous collision. Although the player in the black jersey travelling in the opposite direction is on the line of the ball and has also not crossed over the line, that player still needs to concede the play to the two players riding on the line of the ball in the same direction. 

1 Meeting 2 Phase 2
3. At this instance, the infraction of the 1 Meeting 2 rule occurs. The two players engaged and on the exact line of the ball (green box and lines) have the right to play the ball without a third player entering the play. When the player in the black jersey travelling the opposite direction (red line) makes a play on the ball, the 1 Meeting 2 infraction occurs. 

1 Meeting 2 Phase 3

For the full demonstration of the 1 Meeting 2 rule that includes each of the highlighted positions, please watch the below video. 



Evaluating the 1 Meeting 2 Rule

The rules of polo are centered around two common principles: the line of the ball and the right of way. However, the 1 Meeting 2 rule is a situation where a player can be riding on the exact line of the ball, but does not have the right of way. In summarizing the 1 Meeting 2 rule, it is crucial to remember that if two players are approaching the ball from the same direction on the line of the ball, they take precedence over all other players. This rule is in place to avoid dangerous collisions of players approaching the ball from different directions. If two players are travelling in the same direction and a player is playing the ball on their offside, they cannot move left due to the defending player. That means they can only exit a dangerous situation to their right. If there is another player travelling in the opposite direction, there is no exit available for the player in the middle and a serious collision can occur. Some key takeaway messages to learn and avoid committing a 1 Meeting 2 foul are:

  • When approaching the ball, are you alone? Do you have a second player with you? If you have a second player with you, then you have the right to make a play.
  • Are you on the exact line of the ball and are you the only player on the line?
  • If approaching the ball from the opposite direction of another player, you must make a play only on the offside to avoid a collision. 
Before entering play, it is extremely important to understand the rules to ensure safety for you and the other plays with 1 Meeting 2 being a fundamental rule regarding the avoidance of collisions and how a player can be on the line of the ball but not necessarily have the right of way.
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