Four new rules to be tested at The San Jorge and Jockey Club Opens
The Argentine Polo Association (AAP) is set to trial four new rules at The San Jorge Open and The Jockey Club Open. After these tournaments, the AAP, the Polo Players Association (AAJP) and the Subcommittee of Referees and Regulations, will discuss these rules and their effective, and will then decide whether it would be beneficial to implement them in the upcoming Triple Crown Series.
The rule changes are as follows:
1. Teams will only change ends at half-time.
a. The objective is to simplify the understanding of the game for those not familiar with the sport.
2. Each player is limited to six fouls per game.
a. If a player causes six fouls during a game will have to leave the field, following the sixth infringement. He can be replaced by the team’s substitute player.
b. In The San Jorge and Jockey Club Opens, this rule will just be tested, but no player will be physically sent off. If deemed necessary, however, the rule will be enforced in The Triple Crown tournaments.
3. The whip cannot be used unnecessarily or excessively at any time.
a. A player will not use his/her whip except in exceptional circumstances, or when the ball is out of play or dead.
b. International polo associations have implemented this rule, so the aim is to unify the rules on a global scale.
4. The ball can only hit a part of another player’s body once per play.
For more information about these proposed rule changes please visit the AAP website here.