Course
Quick Line Change

Why is Quick Line Change a Rule
 
Quick line change is when a player changes the line of the ball when hitting the ball underneath or in the direction of another player. In these circumstances, time must be allowed for that player to clear out of the way before following the new line of the ball and right of way. If a collision occurs because the player was not given ample time to clear, then a foul will be awarded against the player who initiated the contact. 

The definition of the rule states: 

  • When the Line of the Ball changes and, as a result, the Right of Way changes, an opponent must be granted the necessary time to clear the new Right of Way.
  • Note: A player in possession of the ball on his offside may move the ball at any angle to the left, and the trailing opponent may only play the ball on his nearside. A player clearing the Right of Way may make no offensive or defensive play in doing so.    

The quick line change rule is ultimately in place to allow for proper defending. If a defending player is not on the current right of way and in the correct defending position, the attacking player has the ability to change the line, but needs to allow surrounding players to adjust to the new line and clear. Otherwise, there would be an increase in collisions as attacking players could deliberate change the line into an opposing player.


How is the Rule of Quick Line Change Applied

Quick line change relates to the player in possession of the ball, when they change the direction of the ball, the line changes. If that new line traps a defending player on the right of way, then that defending player must be afforded time to clear. While clearing, the defending player is only permitted to clear and must not make a play on the ball in the process.

In discussing how the quick line change rule is applied, it is specifically for the offensive player or player in possession of the ball. A defending player or player not in possession of the ball cannot be called for a quick line change as this would fall under a block.

The quick line change rule is typically called on an offensive player in one of two situations:
  • While dribbling with the ball, the attacking player quickly turns the ball or changes the right of way into a defending player, causing a collision or bump without allowing them the time to clear the new line. 

  • While established on the line of the ball and approaching, a player can turn their mount into a defending player creating illegal contact on a new line when they should have continued forward. 

While most rules can be called on any player on the field at the time of the infraction, the quick line change rule is targeted towards the player in possession of the ball.


Procedure of the Quick Line Change Rule

The penalty for breaking the quick line change rule is always a penalty hit to the fouled team. This means a change in possession as the quick line change rule is targeted towards the player in possession of the ball. So in the case of this rule being applied, the defending team will receive the penalty hit.

There are always a few factors that umpires take into consideration when determining the ball placement on a quick line change. These include:
  • Deciding whether dangerous riding was at play. Was a player or mount endangered by the actions of the player who changed the line and then quickly followed after it?

  • Field location

The key aspect of the quick line change rule is the danger created by the player in possession of the ball by changing the line and initiating contact with the defending player. The placement and severity of the foul is then decided on accordingly.


Quick Line Change at Different Levels of Polo

The quick line change is interpreted slightly differently at the high-goal level compared to the low-goal.

Beginning with the high-goal level, there is an expectation from umpires that players who are trapped on the new right of way by a quick line change, are to be much quicker in clearing out the way. This is due to the speed and riding ability of the players playing at that level. What this means is that for the player in possession of the ball, they can change the line quicker with the expectation that defending players will react appropriately.

However, players of stronger ability will often clear in a direction that is more advantageous to them. The following situation can occur:

  • A player gets trapped on the right of way, but instead of clearing to the right, which would be the quickest available exit, they clear to the left to put themselves in a better defensive position.
In this case, a quick line change foul would not be called. Instead, a foul would be called on the defending player for not clearing the right of way correctly. 

For low-goal polo, there is inherently less speed and technicality, so umpires therefore afford more time for those defending players to clear out the right of way. A player must still use the quickest available exit to clear the right of way, but are given more time to do so with less danger created at lower speeds.

The most common error that Fergus noted for a quick line change violation being called, is that players, when changing the line of the ball, will attempt to follow it immediately. Players have the right to change the line of the ball, but in cases of being called for the quick line change, they often move onto the line without regard for a player who may be caught on the right of way and be unable to move quickly enough to avoid a collision.


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