Why Right of Way is a Rule

A player with possession is entitled to continue down the LOB to hit the ball on his offside unless he is subjected to a legitimate play.

Right of way is a rule to allow a player on the line of the ball, with the ball on his offside to have clear passage without any danger from an opposing player. It is one of the most fundamental rules of polo.

How the Right of Way Rule is Applied

The right of way rule applies both equally to the attacking and defending player.

The right of way rule then establishes an order of priority, were a player meeting the first player but in the opposite direction with the ball on their right, has second priority and a player travelling in the same direction as the ball but with the ball on their left (nearside), having less priority than the first two players.

Procedure of the Right of Way Rule

The penalty for breaking the right of way rule is a foul blown against the team offending.

The outcome and ball placement for an infringement of the right of way rule should be dependent on field position of relevant players and level of danger involved.

The game will be started with a penalty in the relevant position for the team that has been infringed. This will be dependent on the level of danger involved and field position of relevant players.

The Right of Way Rule at Different Levels of Polo

There is no difference in the interpretation of the right of way rule between different levels of polo. The right of way is fundamental in all levels of polo.