Playing the Game

Length of a Match

The tennis polo match is 60 minutes long, divided into four periods of 15 minutes each. The team with the most points at the end of the four quarters wins the match. If the teams are tied, they will play a five minute sudden death overtime period. If no team scores during overtime, the teams alternate sudden-death, simultaneous penalty shots to determine a winner.

Starting the Game

The game begins with a touchoff, where the opposing team hits the ball to the other side of the field. The game begins once a player from the other team makes contact with the ball or its hits the ground in-bounds.

Starting and Resuming Play

The game clock continues to run even if the ball is hit or passed out of the field of play. However, the game clock is stopped if a penalty occurs and/or a penalty shot needs to be taken. The clock is also stopped after a goal is scored and resumes upon the movement of the receiving team (the team that did not score the goal).

Substitutions

Teams may make unlimited substitutions, but at no point should there be more than 7 players in the game for either team. If a team has too many players on the field, the penalty is an automatic change of possession from the spot where the penalty occurred - not when the whistle was blown.

Turnovers

When the ball is turned over because it goes out of bounds, the clock is not stopped. Instead, the ball is retrieved (or in most cases, a new ball given to the opposing player) and the game resumes. If the ball is intentionally thrown out of bounds, it is called wasting and the team that receives possession is awarded a free shot from the spot where the ball was hit.

Scoring

Scoring in tennis polo occurs in two ways. A goal is scored when the ball is either hit (with the racquet) or kicked into the goal. A goal is worth 5 points. A shot hit through the uprights is called an over and is worth 2 points. In the event a player scores from behind the midline (the line separating both halves of the field), an additional point is awarded.

Officials

Each tournament match has at least two field officials: one to monitor scorekeeping and an umpire to monitor infractions and time.

In matches where there are no officials available, teams appoint a captain. Prior to the match, the captains will discuss lineups, time of play and other "house rules" applicable to the match.

Infractions shall be determined by the players, always maintaining the code and ensuring fairness and continuity of play. In the event of a dispute, the captains shall determine the course of action and play will resume.