Course
Dangerous Use of the Mallet


Why Dangerous Use of the Mallet is a Rule

Dangerous use of the mallet falls under the umbrella of Unsportsmanlike conduct: Use his stick dangerously, such as playing a full shot in a melee or ride off, especially under a pony’s neck when being ridden off, swinging his stick wildly in close proximity to other players, or in a windmill or helicopter fashion, or holding it in such a way as to interfere with another player or his pony.

Dangerous use of the mallet is a rule by the very nature of it being dangerous. Any player who uses his mallet in a dangerous fashion could potentially harm another player and opponent's horse his own horse, or indeed a match official. It is for this reason why it is a foul.


How the Dangerous Use of the Mallet Rule is Applied

There is no difference in the dangerous use of mallet rule for attacking or defending player. Dangerous is dangerous and should be penalised accordingly.


Procedure of the Dangerous Use of the Mallet Rule

The penalty for breaking the dangerous use of mallet rule is always a foul against the player using his mallet in a dangerous fashion. Also, depending on the level of danger, a yellow card, or indeed sin bin and red card could be awarded.

The outcome and ball placement for dangerous use of mallet could amount to any penalty, depending on the danger and force used and the outcome of the actual use of the mallet, whether a horse is injured or a player's injured, any outcome is possible. Any penalty could be selected and as stated previously for dangerous use of the mallet, there is quite often the option of a yellow card and or sin bin.

The game will always be started after a danger of use the mallet with a foul and penalty against the player who has used his mallet in a dangerous fashion.


Dangerous Use of the Mallet at Different Levels of Polo

There is no difference in the interpretation of the dangerous use of the mallet at high goal or low goal polo. Dangerous is dangerous and should be penalised accordingly.

The common error for a player who is penalized for dangerous use of the mallet, is generally frustration, a rush of blood to the head, which leads them to do something with their mallet, which ordinarily they would not do.

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