Arena Rule 16. Use of the Stick

In plain English

A fall or injury stops the game at once, with time out.

• A fall, or an injury to a player or pony, or the danger of one, stops the game immediately with time out.
• Any player may ask for time out for equipment breakage that endangers them or their pony; what counts as dangerous is the umpires' judgement, and asking for a stop that turns out to be unjustified can itself be a foul.
• There is no time out for a lost or broken stick, though sticks can be changed whenever the whistle has gone. A lost helmet stops play as soon as it can be done without favouring either side.
• A runaway or uncontrollable pony is ordered out. Umpires are generally lenient about changing a troublesome pony in a confined arena, but not about changing at will to waste time.
• An injured player gets no more than fifteen minutes; after that they count as disabled and the substitution rules apply. Anyone who has been unconscious cannot continue.
• Nobody may come into the arena to help a player until the umpire has stopped play.
• Pony changes happen only when play is stopped and with the umpire's permission. A side that has just conceded may call a change before the ball is played, once per chukka; each team also gets one change per chukka that anybody may use. After both have gone, no one changes unless the pony is lame or bleeding - take one out for fatigue and you are out until the next chukka. Dawdling on the way back earns a warning, then a dropped ball to the opposition.
• In 15 goal tournaments a pony played by one team may not be played by another in the same tournament, with a limited exception for hirelings.

The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured.

Quoted extract · Green Book 2025, Rule 16

Read arena rule 16 in the Green Book 2025

If a player appears concussed and no umpire is present, who must stop the game and arrange for a doctor?

• Owner
• Coach
• Captain
• Senior player ✓

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

Under which circumstances are the umpires required to stop a polo game immediately and take time out?

• When a player deliberately throws his mallet ✓
• When a player scores a goal
• When a player loses his helmet but no immediate danger is present

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

When can a player request a time out for equipment breakage that endangers the player or his pony?

• Only at the beginning of a match
• Only at halftime
• Anytime during the game ✓
• Only at the end of a match

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

When can a time out for equipment repair be called?

• Anytime during the game
• Only when a player has been fouled
• Only at halftime
• Only when the whistle is blown ✓

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

What is the rule regarding time out for a lost or broken stick?

• There is a 5-minute time out for a lost or broken stick
• The game continues for 2 minutes before a time out is called
• The game is immediately paused
• There is no time out for a lost or broken stick ✓

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

What happens if a player loses their helmet during a game?

• The game is immediately stopped
• The player is disqualified
• The game continues without interruption
• Play should be stopped as soon as possible but at such time that neither team is favored ✓

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

What is the protocol if a pony is determined to be runaway or uncontrollable during a game?

• The game continues uninterrupted
• The player is disqualified
• The Umpire stops play and orders the pony to be removed ✓
• The player gets a penalty

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

How much time does an injured player get for time out?

• 5 mins
• 10 mins
• 15 mins ✓
• 20 mins

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

What is the ruling if an injured player has been unconscious?

• The player can continue playing after regaining consciousness
• The player is considered ineligible to continue ✓
• The player can continue playing after a medical check
• The player is given an additional 15 minutes to recover

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

When can someone enter the arena to assist a player?

• Anytime during the game
• Only when a player is injured
• Only when play has been stopped by the Umpire ✓
• Only at halftime

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

How should an umpire react to a player wanting to change a troublesome pony during the game?

• The umpire should disallow pony changes during the game
• The umpire should allow unlimited pony changes during the game
• The umpire should generally take a lenient view of a player changing a pony proving troublesome ✓
• The umpire should penalize the player for wanting to change ponies

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

When can a player change ponies during a match?

• Anytime during the match
• Only when play is stopped and with the permission of the Umpire ✓
• Only during halftime
• Only at the start of a new chukka

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

When is a team that has conceded a goal allowed to call for a pony change?

• After the opposing team scores a goal
• Before the ball is played following the scoring of a goal ✓
• At the start of the next chukka
• At halftime

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

How many times can each team request a change of ponies per chukka?

• Once ✓
• Twice
• Three times
• No limit

However, after both teams have exercised their right to change, no player may then change unless their pony is lame or bleeding.

After both teams have exercised their right to a pony change, under what specific conditions can a player request another change without disadvantage?

• If the player is tired
• Pony is fatigued
• If the pony is lame or bleeding ✓
• Player's team is losing

However, after both teams have exercised their right to change, no player may then change unless their pony is lame or bleeding.

What happens if a player decides to take their pony out of the arena for reasons other than lameness or bleeding after both teams have exercised their right to change?

• The player can return immediately once the pony is rested
• The player can return after a 5-minute rest period
• The player is not allowed to return until the start of the next chukka ✓
• The player is disqualified from the match

However, after both teams have exercised their right to change, no player may then change unless their pony is lame or bleeding.

What are the rules regarding a pony being played by another team in High Goal tournaments?

• Any team can use the same pony in a tournament
• A pony can be played by any number of teams in the same tournament, with no restrictions
• A pony played by one team cannot be played by another in the same tournament ✓
• A pony can be played by another team only if the first team played it for more than one chukka

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

What is the exception to the rule of a pony being played by another team in High Goal tournaments?

• There are no exceptions
• If the pony is hired, it can be played by one team for less than one chukka and rejected by that team. It can then play for one other team later in the tournament but not on the same day ✓
• If the pony is owned by the tournament committee, it can be played by any team
• If the pony is a champion, it can be played by any team

a. Fallen/Injured Pony or Player. The Umpires shall stop the game immediately and take time out when a player or pony falls, or a player or pony is injured or in danger of being injured. b.

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