Course
Crossing

Procedure of the Crossing Rule

The penalty for violating the crossing rule is a penalty hit to the fouled team/player established on the right of way. The factors determining the location of the penalty hit include: the amount of danger created, location on the field where the foul occurred, location of the fouled player's teammates and the likelihood of the ball being advanced down the field. 

The only exception to this, would be that after consultation with both on field umpires and the third man, they come to the conclusion that a foul did not occur, meaning the game would be restarted with a throw in. 


How is the Rule of Crossing Applied

The crossing rule does not differentiate between offensive and defensive players, it is simply a matter of who has right of way and if a player entering that right of way is endangering the safety of both players by crossing at an unsafe distance, in the eyes of the umpires.  
Why is Crossing a Rule

The rule of crossing is in reference to the right of way. A player entering or crossing the right of way of an opposing player, will have a foul called against them if they create any risk of a collision, such as causing the opposition player to slow or check to avoid a collision. The reason for the crossing rule is to protect the safety of the players and horses. 

The Crossing Rule at Different Levels of Polo

There is a slight difference in the interpretation of the crossing rule at high and low goal levels. At the higher levels, less distance is allowed when crossing due to the faster speed of games and the greater ability of players. At lower levels, players are required to allow more distance when crossing as a margin of error for the less skilled rider. 

The most common error that Fergus noted for a crossing violation being called, is players arriving at the line of the ball and ball at the same time. Fergus suggested the best way to mitigate this, is to arrive at the line of the ball first and then travel down the line at a safe distance before making a play at the ball.    
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