News

POLO RULES - IMPROPER BLOCKING

20 Mar 2025

APF POLO RULES, March 2025

The following Rule will be effective from 3rd April, 2025

IMPROPER BLOCKING

During the execution of a knock-in, Penalty 5.a or 5.b, or a free hit resulting from a ball hit out of bounds, an offensive player may not block a defensive player from marking the offensive players teammate who has a play on the ball (i.e., set a block on the defending player). 

At all other times, when a player in possession of the ball either stops or reduces his or her speed to a slow canter or walk, no teammates of the player in possession may block a defending player within two horse lengths of the player with the ball from making a play on that player or the ball. 

When an offensive player improperly blocks a defensive player, the Umpires shall call a foul and award an appropriate penalty. Improper blocking may or may not constitute Dangerous riding. 

If a violation of this rule is called and not upheld, the team in possession of the ball when the foul was called shall be awarded a Fair Play Drop to team in possession.  

Latest News

Womens World Championships - Cancelled
30 Apr 2025
  We regret to inform you that the Australian Polo Federation (APF) has received official notif...
International Player Rule Change
29 Apr 2025
APF POLO RULES, April 2025 The following Rule will become effective from 1st May 2025 INTE...
II FIP Womens World Championships Squad announced
9 Apr 2025
The APF Women's Selection Committee is pleased to announce the 6 squad members representing Austra...
Womens World Championships Update
4 Apr 2025
After the conclusion of two thrilling days of polo at the NSWPA Womens Championships the APF Selec...
NOMINATIONS FOR TEAM COACH: AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
17 Mar 2025
The Australian Polo Federation is calling for nominations for an Australian Women's Team Coach, for ...
Hitting the Headlines - Opportunity for Australian Player Anna Dowling
25 Feb 2025
A news article featuring Australia's Anna Dowling: Anna Dowling, 21, of Merringo, NSW, one of t...
Revised Wording - Annex C - Tournament Conditions Player Eligibility and Team Entries
25 Feb 2025
The Australian Polo Federation have revised the wording for the recent rule change effective 20th Ja...
SQUAD ANNOUNCED: WOMENS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025
21 Jan 2025
The APF Selection Committee is pleased to announce the squad for the Womens World Championships 20...
APF POLO RULE CHANGES & UPDATES, January 2025
20 Jan 2025
 Australian Polo Federation PLAYER BULLETIN APF POLO RULE CHANGES & UPDATES, January 2025 ...
Vale - Charlie Abbott
9 Jan 2025
Vale: Charles P Abbott Former Australian Polo Council chairman Charlie Abbott has died. Char...