Bike polo
Bike polo match in Budapest
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| Highest governing body | International Bicycle Polo Federation, North American Bike Polo Association, European Hardcourt Bike Polo Association |
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| First played | October 1891 - County Wicklow, Ireland. (Rathclaren Rovers V Ohne Hast Cycling Club) |
| Characteristics | |
| Team members | Five or Three |
| Type | Team sport |
| Equipment | Bicycle, Mallet, Ball |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | London, 1908. (Demonstration Game – Ireland 3-v-1 Germany) |
Cycle polo is a team sport, similar to traditional polo, except that bicycles are used instead of horses. There are 2 versions of the sport: grass and Hardcourt Bike Polo. The hardcourt game has seen a sharp spike in interest as of 2007 and new teams are sprouting up across the world - in China, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, France, India, Germany, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, England, Scotland, Argentina, Italy, Spain, USA, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Nepal, Brazil and Cuba.
Traditional cycle polo is played in a rectangular grass field, 150 meters by 100 meters officially, unofficially whatever field is big enough. Moreover, official dimensions can vary between 120 and 150 meters in length on 80 to 100 meters in width. The ball used approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and the mallet is of length 1 meter.
There are 6 members (7 in France) on a team of which 4 (5 in France) are on field at a time. The other two are used as substitutes. International matches are played for a duration of 30 minutes divided into periods of 7.5 minutes each called as a chukkar. Extra time can be used to determine the winner in case the scores are tied at normal time.
If a deliberate foul is committed at the vicinity of the goal, the team that is fouled is automatically given a goal. Less severe fouls are awarded 15 metre and 25 metre free hits. In the event of deliberate fouls or dangerous fouls, the umpire can issue the Yellow card (warning) and in case of repeated or severe fouls the Red card (ejection). The ejected player can be replaced by a substitute after the end of the current chukkar if the umpire allows it.
In recent years, an alternate form of the game known as "Hardcourt Bike Polo" has grown in popularity. In this variation, teams composed of three players compete on tennis courts, street hockey rinks, or whatever other surfaces are available. The rules vary slightly by city.
Generally this is a faster game with 3 members on a team, no substitutions, and all members are on the court at all times. A street hockey ball is used and matches are played until one team scores 5 points or time has expired, without playing chukkars. During tournament play a time limit, such as 10 minutes, may be used to maximize the number of tournament rounds possible during the day.
There are three core rules of play:
In the case of a 'foot down' or 'dab' (touching the ground with one's foot) the player must "tap out" by riding to mid-court and hitting a designated area with their mallet. There is usually a tap-out located on either side of the court.
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Wikipedia