Thu 8th Jan 2015Two points or one?Changes announced following Arena Rules Committee Meeting on 6 January
Two changes – to be actioned with immediate effect – have been released for the remainder of the season by the HPA Arena Rules Committee following their mid-season meeting on Tuesday 6 January. The committee comprised of; Marcus Hancock, Michael Amoore, Tim Bown, Sebastian Dawnay, Francis Matthews, Simon McLaren Tosh and Giles Ormerod. The first amendment is part of the recent push by the committee to stress the importance of ‘positive play’ in the arena. This topic has been discussed by Sebastian Dawnay in the November/December edition and continues in the forth-coming January/February issue of Polo Times. The second change refers to a Penalty 2. Prior to the 6 January, the rule deemed that, should a goal be scored as a result of a penalty (only taken from the 15-yard line) hitting the goal, it would be worth only 1 point. The team fouled, can now choose to take a 25-yard hit, which would count as 2 points. Finally, the third point raised from the meeting is a reminder that a Penalty 4 is worth 2 points. 1. Negative Play. If, in the opinion of the umpires, a player is considered to be making a ‘negative play’ then the whistle may be blown and a Penalty awarded. 2. Penalty 2. In the case of the umpires awarding a Penalty 2 (15-yard hit), the team fouled will be given the choice of a Penalty 2 for 1 point or a Penalty 4 (25-yard defended) for 2 points. 3. Reminder. Any goal scored from a Penalty 4 is worth 2 points. Don’t miss out on our next Umpire’s Comment from Sebastian Dawnay in the January/February issue. Subscribe today, here online through our website or call us in the office 01452 730 770. |