Cycle polo was invented in Ireland in 1891 and spread to Great Britain, France and the U.S. at the end of the century. Similar to equestrian polo, the sport pits two teams atop bicycles, with each member using a mallet to send a ball through the opposition's goal. Cycle polo has flourished in countries the world over, and has even led to the creation of similar sports, such as urban cycle polo and Segway polo.
Field
While cycle polo field dimensions may vary among clubs and countries, in the U.S. the typical cycle polo field measures 60 yards by 120 yards. Football or soccer fields may be used, although it should be no smaller than 50 yards wide and 100 yards long. Side boundaries are known as side lines, while end boundaries are known as end lines. A goal line marks the distance between two goal posts that are placed 12 feet apart. Other markings include a half line which runs the full width of the field; a center line, which runs the full length of the field; two 30-yard lines, each located 30 yards from the end line; a center circle with 15-yard radius; and two semi-circles, one at each end of the field with its center located at the intersection of the center line and goal line. All boundaries are marked with chalk or paint.
Goal posts must be at least six feet high and should easily be knocked over if a collision by a player occurs. Posts should also be constructed of a light material that does not present a hazard to players, yet is strong enough to withstand wind.
Equipment
Bicycles of any type may be used in cycle polo as long as they do not have hazardous attachments. Mallets of 36 inches are used, with the cane no more than 1 inch in diameter. The head of the mallet should be 3 inches in diameter, 9 inches long and 10 oz. in weight. The ball should measure between 12.5 inches and 15 inches in circumference and weigh between 170 and 182 g. Every player wears a protective helmet that is secured to the head.
Teams
A U.S. cycle polo team consists of six players, four of whom are on the field while the other two serve as substitutes. Each member must wear a distinctively numbered shirt, with shirts matching in color and pattern. Substitutions are made between periods or during a period when an injury occurs. A captain represents each team and has the sole right to discuss matters with the referee.
Officials
A referee officiates overall play during cycle polo and is the only official with authority to stop play with a whistle. Play stops when a penalty occurs, a ball has gone out of play, a goal has been scored or an injury has occurred. The referee should be on foot rather than a bicycle.
Two goal judges, one at each end of the field, give testimony to the referee for play in their respective halves of the field. A goal judge must have a flag and several spare balls. He raises the flag when a goal has been scored and points the flag to areas on the end line where the ball has gone out of bounds.
At least two side judges, also with flags and spare balls, stand on each side of the field and give testimony to the referee regarding play in their half of the field. The side judge points the flag to where balls have gone out of bounds.
Other officials include a timekeeper, scorer and announcer.
Periods
A game of cycle polo should have an even number of periods, with a minimum of two and maximum of six. A period lasts 10 minutes. If the score is tied at the end of the last period, overtime periods are instituted at five minutes each. The timekeeper rings a bell when 30 seconds remains in each period, and sounds a horn when time runs out. A 10-minute break occurs between the two middle periods.
Play
A game is started with a sprint, at which time one member from each team sprints from the outside of the center circle toward the ball placed in the middle. The first player to reach the ball gains possession. A goal is scored when the ball is clearly hit through the goal posts. Each player can block the ball with any part of her equipment or body, but may only propel the ball with the mallet. A player cannot hit the ball more than three times consecutively.
If a penalty occurs within the goal crease surrounding a goal, the fouled team is awarded a goal. If a penalty occurs outside the goal creases, the fouled team gets a free hit from the infraction point. When a player is injured by a foul, the captain of the fouled team can designate a member of the fouling team to be removed or substitute the player of her own team. A player can be removed for repeated fouls.
Member Comments