Racket Polo - a new sport
Racket Polo is a new sport created by Owen Ostbye and Leon Paulson-Vu of the USA in April 2023. The sport is a form of hockey played with rackets. The game is full contact. Use of body checking is encouraged to increase competition. Played in 3 7 minute quarters.
Equipment Required:
2 Tennis racket (One Racket Per Upfielder)
1 baseball glove (For Goalie)
1 set of hockey shin pads or baseball catchers shin guards (For Goalie)
1 baseball catchers chest protector (For Goalie)
THE BASICS
- Game is played 3vs3
- Game played with a tennis ball
- 2 upfielders, 1 goalie per team
- 3 periods, 7 minutes in length
- This game is full contact
- If a ball goes into either net, 1 point is scored for the opposing team.
Materials (Per Team)
- 3 Tennis racket (One Racket for Each Player)
- 2 Helmets of any type (1 For Each Upfielder)
- 1 baseball glove (For Goalie)
- 1 set of hockey shin pads or baseball catchers shin guards (For Goalie)
- 1 baseball catchers chest protector (For Goalie)
- 1 hockey goalie mask or catcher mask (For Goalie)
Rules
- You may NOT touch the ball with your hands at anytime of live play
- The only thing that can touch the ball is your racket and body (except for hands)
- The ball carrier may not move around the court without dribbling
- Dibbling happens when the ball carrier bounces the ball against the ground using their racket in 1 continuous motion
- A maximum of 2 steps are allowed AFTER the ball has been picked up. The ball must be resting on the racket
- When you shoot the ball you must be behind the shooter’s line.
- Time stops every whistle
- A whistle is blow to stop play when 1. A goal is scored, 2. A penalty is given, 3 at the end of a period.
- Once a whistle has been blown, the play is dead. Even if it was accidental.
Penalties
-
Slashing: Hitting another player’s body with your racket.
Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court.
-
Carry: When the ball carrier moves around the court without dribbling the ball
Result: Opposing team ball, possession starts at the spot of carry
-
Touch: When the ball touches a players hand
Result: opposing team ball, possession starts at the spot of touch.
-
Flopping: 1. Obvious intent of making a play seem like a penalty should be called. 2. Faking an injury in an intent to draw a penalty.
Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court
-
Holding: Using 1 or both hands/arms to grab onto an opposing player’s body or jersey. Resulting in loss of movement.
Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court
-
Interference: Any for of contact that effects a Non ball carriers ability to move around the court freely
Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court
-
Illegal use of hands: When a player’s hand makes contact with a opposing players face, resulting in loss of vision.
Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court
-
Illegal use of racket: When a players racket hooks around a opposing player resulting in loss of movement
Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court
Major penalties
- Charging: Sprinting at a player from more than 7 feet from a player and body checking them, making the player fall down.
Result: 2:30 second penalty, penalized player must be off the court.
- Roughing: 1 player throws 1 or more punch at an opposing player.
Result: 2:30 second penalty, penalized player must be off the court.
-
Fighting: 2 or more players throw at least 1 punch at one another.
Results 2:30 second penalty, penalized players must be off the court.
Penalty Shots
-
Holding: when a player is on a breakaway and a opposing player intentionally grabs the other player in a attempt to slow the player down.
Result: 1 free shot from penalty line
-
Hooking: when a player is on a breakaway and a opposing player hooks their racket around the player on a breakaway, resulting in the player slowing down.
Result. 1 free shot from penalty line
Starting The Game
- The ball will be placed on the center line
- Both players facing off may have their rackets anywhere on THEIR side of the middle line
- Neither player can be touching the ball until the starting whistle is blown
- Once both players are lined up and the referee is ready. A whistle will be blown, signaling the start of the game
Note
Related Pages
- See other New Sports
- Complete list of unusual sports
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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