Course
Meeting the Ball

Why is Meeting the Ball a Rule

Meeting the Ball is a rule which relates to players only being able to play right handed. So if two players are meeting the ball, travelling in opposite directions with the ball on their right side, then they can meet safely right hand to right hand. If a player starts on the other side of the line, with the ball on their left side, then this creates a risk of a collision.  

The definition of the rule states:

  • 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.
When a player meets the ball, they have to meet that ball 100% on the line. If a player comes from the opposite side of the line, what is called going around the end of the line, then a foul will usually be called. 

How is the Rule of Meeting the Ball Applied

Meeting the ball is applied equally to offensive and defensive players. It is always a case of the right of way being awarded to a player who is travelling in the same direction as the ball, with the line of that ball on their right side. 

Procedure of the Meeting the Ball Rule

The penalty for violating the rule of meeting the ball, is a penalty hit to the team that was fouled. The placement of the penalty hit will be largely determined by the severity of the infringement, the position on the field and the relative position of the players when the foul occurred.    

If a foul is called the game will always be restarted with a penalty hit, unless the umpires disagree and the third man decides there was no foul. 

Meeting the Ball at Different Levels of Polo

Meeting the ball is one of the few rules where there is a considerable difference between high and low goal levels. The main factors that umpires consider are the distance and speed players are travelling. At high goal levels, umpires will generally allow players to start on the opposite side of the line, so long as that player gets across the line to meet the ball, with enough time and distance so that there is no risk of a collision. In contrast, at low goal levels, starting on the wrong side of the line will almost always be called as a foul, regardless of how much time and distance is afforded to get to the correct side of the ball. Unless that time and distance is considerable, so that it is clear and obvious that there was never any possibility of a collision occurring. 

The most common error that Fergus noted for a meeting the ball violation being called, is that players, when attempting to meet the ball, will be unaware of where they are in relation to the line. Players can often end up coming around the end of the line, not realising that they started on the wrong side. Fergus noted that there is no easy solution to this, other than getting information from your teammates to help you out, with regards to what side of the line you’re on.  
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