Course
1 Meeting 2


Why 1 Meeting 2 is a Rule

1 Meeting 2: 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.
1 meeting 2
One meeting two is a rule to minimize the risk of collision between three players, all who are on the line of the ball. Two players making a play against each other maybe unaware of a third player on the line of the ball. This third player must leave the line of the ball safely and quickly.


How the 1 Meeting 2 Rule is Applied

The one meeting two rule applies equally for both attacking and defending players.

The rule simply states that two opposing players travelling on the same line of the ball have priority over a single player coming from any direction. Therefore, the rule applies in all areas of the field and during all phases of the game for all players. 

What this means is that as a player off the ball, the player needs to be aware of when two players are engaged on the ball and not attempt a play in this scenario. A player can be travelling in the opposite direction of the ball carrier and make a play on the ball on their offside (assuming they do not cross over the line dangerously), but as soon as a second player is travelling in the same direction and forcing that player to pay attention, it causes a dangerous situation if a player comes from the opposite direction.

Procedure of the 1 Meeting 2 Rule

The penalty for breaking the one meeting two rule is a foul blown against the offending player.

The outcome and ball placement for breaking the one meeting two rule depends on the relevant positions of all three players. These factors determine where the free hit takes place and at what proximity to the opponents goal. If in the attacking half (or the opposite side of the field of the goal they are defending), the likely outcome will be a spot hit at the place where the foul occurred. If closer to the goal they are defending, then the position on the field where the foul occurred can result in a penalty from the 30-yard (Penalty 2), 40-yard (Penalty 3) or 60-yard (Penalty 4) line. 

If the 1 meeting 2 violation occurs directly in the goal mouth, preventing what would have been a sure goal, then a Penalty 1 can be awarded, giving the attacking team the goal, while also moving the ball back to centre field and restarting play with a spot hit to the team that was fouled.

The game is started again after breaking the one meeting two rule by a penalty in favour of the team infringed, depending on field position and level of danger involved.

The 1 Meeting 2 Rule at Different Levels of Polo


There is no difference in the interpretation of the one meeting two rule between high goal and low goal polo. One meeting two is inherently dangerous and the match officials should be vigilant to ensure player and horse welfare. However, at the low-goal level, 1 meeting 2 is more likely to be called at slower speeds because of the lower ability of players to be aware of the relative positioning of others on the field.

The common error in the one meeting two rule is a lack of awareness of teammates and opposition, and a lack of spatial awareness of where these players are coming from, whether they are on the line of the ball or separate from the line of the ball

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