Ignacio Fernandez Llorente
Changes not written in the Polo Rules As everyone knows, the polo rules have changed very little throughout history. The essence of the regulations, based on the line of the ball, the rights of way, the use of the mallet and dangerous riding have not changed. But throughout history there have been changes in the application of the rules. The rules are based on a fast and linear game. In the beginning any turn that will be carried out was a reason for danger and therefore it was foul. It was uncommon to turn with the ball, since the fields and horses did not allow it. You used to see very fast horses, but they had a hard time braking, or they simply didn't stop. Times have changed, horses slow down, bend and in many cases play a few minutes and are changed, so they do not get tired. The game is changing, the rules are essentially the same, but the application of these rules is changing. The players are looking for a way to play challenging the limits of the rules. A player who left the game 10 years ago, returned to play this year and is finding it very difficult to adapt because it seems them that the umpires never blow a foul. It is true before millions of fouls were blown. This player can perfectly say that he read the regulations and saw no changes. So how can it be so different? It is still very difficult to understand how polo rules apply, and especially if nobody explains or can explain it. Nobody wants it explained to them either, and everyone sees it as they want to see it. A player / spectator who wants to understand the rules by reading will not understand, he has to watch games, but above all participate in games so that with practice he can learn. But when he manages to learn, changes appear and he always has that feeling that he doesn't quite understand. Most of the fouls are based on the priorities given by the players on the line, within a distance of "Possibility of shock or danger” FOUL = Line (Priority) + Little distance (Possibility of shock)
For many years prevailed who had the line. The polo became slower, tangled, less colourful. Everything was foul, and there were 7 players looking at the one who had possession of the ball, unable to participate. All plays led to fouls. This era was taken advantage of by the professionals who took the ball and did not release it anymore. It was an individualistic game. This issue was attempted to be solved by blowing fouls on those who turned the ball, and stopped on it (although little was actually blown). There were two ways to apply rules to make players hit the ball. Currently the application of the rules, especially in the high handicap, takes into account that there has to be a possibility of shock or danger for foul. The polo is very fast, very colourful and nice, but in many cases dangerous. And above all very dangerous for a player who does not have good control of the horse. The rules cannot be applied the same in the high handicap as in the low handicap since horses and players have different handling and control of the horses. Players have to have more training, and better riding to participate, since you have to go faster in order to stay safe. This game favours the team, and this does not favour individualistic professionals. What is more pleasant is that we did not find 8 players in 2 square meters asking for foul. Now you run more and there are fewer interruptions. The application of the rules is something that changes day by day, the referees set the limits and the players look for ways to impose their game. Before a change of application, the polo player immediately invents a new way to push the limits to favour themselves. Polo players are really extraordinary. The players each game surprise in their way of adapting to the limits set by the referee. Will the application of the rules continue to evolve in this direction? Will it stay as it is today? Or will it return to the game where the professional took the ball and finished in a foul?
