Why is Nearside a Rule
The nearside rule is closely tied to the fundamental right of way rule and is clearly stated that a player with the ball on their nearside has no right of way.
The exact definition of this rule states:
- No player may have the ball directly in front or on the near side if by doing so an opponent is endangered who could have safely attempted to hook the player or to hit the ball had the original player been placed with the ball on the off side. This subsection takes precedence over subsections (f) and (g) below. A player may have the ball on the near side if any of the following conditions are met:
- (1) a legal ride off has been executed;
- (2) the opponent is traveling parallel, or nearly parallel, to the player; or
- (3) if the opponent is far enough behind for the player to safely complete the play.
- As between two players, when one is following the ball and the other meeting the ball: Regardless of their respective angles, a player following the ball has the Right of Way over a player meeting the ball, other than a player meeting the ball with the line of the ball on the off side who is on the exact line of the ball. A player meeting the ball in this fashion has the Right of Way over a player following the ball.
- As between two players, when both are following or both are meeting the ball:
- (1) The player riding parallel to or at the lesser angle to the line of the ball has the Right of Way over the player riding at the greater angle to the line of the ball.
- (2) In the case of two players on opposite sides of the line of the ball riding at approximately equal angles to it, the Right of Way belongs to the player with the line of the ball on the off side.
A player approaching the ball on the nearside may only do so if they do not endanger anybody in the process or take away a play that an opposing player may have legitimately had, by positioning themselves on the nearside.
How is the Rule of Nearside Applied
Offensive Players
As a part of the fundamental right of way rule, the nearside rule applies equally to all players on the field. The priority is always given to the player who’s traveling in the direction of the ball with the line of the ball on their right side or offside. This can often be the offensive player who is running with the ball or has hit the ball forward and is following on the line of the ball. The rule continues to apply to any teammates of the offensive player who are approaching the ball to make a play on their left side or nearside.
Defensive Players
All players must ensure that they do not endanger anybody else by making a play on the nearside. For the defensive player, this becomes even more important as they can often be travelling towards the ball in the opposite direction. If the player possesses the ball on the offside and is travelling in one direction while a defending player is travelling in the opposite direction and approaching on the nearside, it creates the opportunity for a signficant collision and can be one of the most dangerous plays in polo.Therefore, regardless of position on the field, a player must remember that they cannot be established on the nearside if another player is established on the offside.
When During a Game
The nearside can happen at any time during live play and as mentioned, is closely tied to the right of way rule, making it a fundamental rule which must be followed at all times on the field. It can occur at any location on the field and will occur around the ball when a player approaches the ball on the nearside, while another player has already established themselves on the right of way and also on their offside, giving them the right to play the ball.
Procedure of the Nearside Rule
The penalty for breaking the right of way rule by making a play on the nearside, is largely determined by where on the field the penalty occurs and the severity of the foul. In many cases, making a play on the nearside can result in dangerous riding being called. This is due to the dangerous nature of the play as a player should have a clear understanding that they can not be established on the nearside.
The ball placement of this foul may end up being more severe than other fouls because of the dangerous situation created by the player attempting to make a play on the nearside. The main purpose of the rules and how the umpires call them is about preserving the safety of both the players and mounts.
After a nearside foul has been called, the game is restarted with a penalty hit to the fouled team. This can be in the form of a spot hit, taking into account the field location and severity of the foul, or it can be moved to a Penalty 2, 3 or 4. Lastly, a Penalty 1 can be called if it is in proximity of the goal and creates a dangerous play in what would have otherwise been a goal for the attacking team.
Nearside at Different Levels of Polo
High-Goal Polo
There are some differences between high-goal and low-goal polo and the way the nearside rule is interpreted. As with most of the rules, high-goal polo requires less space and less time for a player to make a play safely. This is purely based on the level of the player and their ability and knowledge of the game. While a player established on the right of way on their offside will always have the right of way, there is ultimately less space required to make a play on the nearside than in low-goal polo.
Low-Goal Polo
At the low-goal level where a player does not have the ability to quickly change or adjust to the situation, there should be more space provided and more time provided for the player to not attempt the play on the nearside. It is very important at this level of polo that players prioritize safely approaching the ball on the nearside and check their surroundings before attempting a play on the nearside.
Common Errors When Committing the Foul
Regardless of the level of polo, the most common error seen for a nearside violation being called is that players lack a basic understanding of the rule and the fact that there is no right of way on the nearside. If a player hits the ball on their nearside and follows after it, there’s sometimes an assumption that they’re allowed to hit the ball again on their nearside because they’re established on this side. However, in outdoor polo, there’s no rule about being established on the nearside.If a player attempts to meet the ball on their offside, when a player is on their nearside, then the player on their nearside has an obligation to shift back to the offside as to not endanger anyone else. This applies to any player at any level and the knowledge and understanding of this rule is crucial to avoid a dangerous collision.
