Course
Delay of Game
 

Why Delay of Game is a Rule

Delay of Play. A player in possession of the ball when marked by an opposing player must keep moving the ball. Should he stop or reduce to a walk or walking speed he may tap the ball only once and thereafter he or any member of his team must within 5 seconds either hit the ball away or run with it. A player is considered to be marked when an opposing player is within two ponies’ lengths of his own and the player in possession is neither being blocked nor ridden off and therefore has the freedom to continue down the LOB.


Delay of game is a rule primarily to keep the game flowing, slow polo should be discouraged.


How is the Rule of Delay of Game Applied

With the delay of play rule the onus is on the player in possession to use the ball safely and quickly. The opposing player must allow him to do so legally.

Procedure of the Delay of Game Rule

The penalty for breaking the delay of play rule, will generally be a spot hit as the play is generally static.

The outcome and ball placement for breaking the delay of play rule is dependent on field position and relevant positions of players. With the delay of game rule, the play is generally static. Thus, a spot hit will generally be awarded unless within the 60-yard mark.

The game will be started again after an infringement of the delay of game rule by a penalty in favour of a team that has been infringed.


Delay of Game at Different Levels of Polo

There is no difference in the interpretation of the delay of game rule between high and low goal polo.

The main errors a player makes when breaking the delay of play rule, are hitting into an opponent's horse or into an opponent or not using the ball within the five seconds allowed between the use it to call by the umpire and the player having to use the ball.

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