Course
The Basics: Sandwich
Learning Objective

In this Beginner Course on the Sandwich rule, you will learn the basics of why the rule is implemented and when it is called in a game. It is a rule targeted at safety to avoid the risk of a ride-off turning into a collision or fall. It places the player in the middle in a vulnerable position where they are unable to safely exit the play. The rule uses the concept of dangerous riding and when a player is "engaged" with another player. After folllowing the below lesson, the goal is to correctly understand the rule and how it is applied.
The Sandwich Rule
The definition of the Sandwich rule states:
"A player may not ride off an opposing player at the same time as another member of his team"

What does this mean? First, let's take a look at a walkthrough demonstration of the rule.


Step-by-Step Demonstration

Looking at this rule in detail, we can go step-by-step through each key position of this rule.

1. When three players are riding in close proximity anywhere on the field (whether it is around the ball or not), one player may ride-off an opposing player safely by matching the speed, approaching at a safe angle and making contact shoulder-to-shoulder or saddle-to-saddle. In this moment of the play, one of the players in the black jerseys is allowed to ride-off the player in the white jersey. However, as soon as one player does this, their teammate in the black jersey can also not make contact with the opposing player. 

Sandwich Phase 1
2. The first player attempts a ride-off by angling their horse into the horse of the player in the white jersey. The action of the ride-off is legal in that the player is saddle-to-saddle and makes contact at a safe angle. However, their teammate in the other black jersey is on the other side meaning that if the player in the white jersey is pushed over, they will collide and make contact creating a "sandwich" situation. In this moment of the play, either the ride-off needs to be disengaged or the teammate needs to pull out of the play.

Sandwich Phase 2
3. The action of the ride-off continues and pushes the player in the white jersey into the other player in the black jersey. The result is a Sandwich infraction where one player (white jersey) is contacted on both sides by opposing players. With no ability to move their horse or avoid a dangerous situation, a Sandwich would be immediately called on the player in the black jersey on the left side of the image for pushing the opposing player into their teammate. 

Sandwich Phase 3

For the full demonstration of the Sandwich rule that includes each of the highlighted positions, please watch the below video. 

 

Evaluating the Sandwich Rule

The ride-off is a fundamental play in polo and occurs frequently throughout a game both on the ball and away from the ball. The Sandwich rule is in place to avoid a dangerous situation where an opposing player is pushed into another player and causes a collision. It is key in any play that a player can safely exit or pull out of that play when the risk of danger or a collision increases. In the case of a Sandwich, the player that gets ridden off is suddenly stuck in the middle between two players and has limited motion along with being unable to avoid contact. Some key takeaway messages to learn and avoid committing a Sandwich foul are:

  • When you are executing a ride-off, are there any other players in the immediate environment? Can you push the player safely without causing contact with any other players?
  • If your teammate is executing a ride-off, do not engage with the player they are in contact with. 
  • Polo is a sport often considered to be played in "pairs", so often it is best to avoid a "2 on 1" scenario. 
For your development as a player, effectively learning a ride-off is a key skill, however it must be done in a safe manner and ensure that contact with other players is not made and that the opposing player is not left in a vulnerable situation.
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