INSTRUCTIONS TO USPA CERTIFIED UMPIRES AND USPA PLAYERS

The following is a list of USPA Rules and Rules Interpretations selected for presentation to umpires, players and club officials as the official USPA Rules and Interpretationsand how all USPA Certified Umpires will call the plays.

USPA Certified Umpires will enforce all official USPA Rules and Rules Interpretations. Players are expected to abide by those same USPA Rules and Rules Interpretations.

Umpires will be instructed to request adequate mounts to umpire matches.

1) Rule 20. HOW PLAY COMMENCES
Umpires will be instructed to throw the ball in when there is no contact between players in the throw-in. A penalty will be called for consistent violations of the no contact in the throw-in procedure.

Rule 20. States:
HOW PLAY COMMENCES
a. The game begins by both teams taking their positions at the T in the center of the field at the starting time designated by the Host Club Tournament Committee, and the Umpire bowling the ball, parallel to the end line, underhand and hard, onto the ground in front of and between the opposing ranks of players, each team being on the same side of the center line as the goal which it is defending, no player to be within 5 yards of the Umpire. The teams shall decide by lot which goal each will defend initially. Interpretation to Rule 20.a. HOW PLAY COMMENCES: The Umpire must enforce a consistent procedure to avoid any player gaining unfair advantage. The ball must be presented consistently--underhand, hard, and in front of the players. Players must be on their own side of the center line and not in contact. Players must be at least 5 yards from the Umpire. Players may not rush the Umpire. The ball is ready for play when the Umpire is positioned. If the players are not ready within 3-5 seconds the whistle should stop the clock. Players may be penalized for consistent violation.

2) Rule 21. HOW PLAY IS INTERRUPTED
f. Fallen or Injured Mount:
The umpire will not allow time out to change a mount. The umpire will determine if a horse is lame or not and will decide to allow the player to change the horse or not. It is up to player to decide if he or she wants to change a horse for whatever reason and no timeout will be allowed. The umpire may decide to call a delay of game if a player asks to stop the game to change a horse that is not lame in the opinion of the umpires.

Rule 21.f. states:
Fallen or Injured Mount.
(1) If a mount falls or is injured, the Umpire shall stop the game immediately.
(2) A player whose mount has fallen may change to another mount within 5 minutes. The fallen mount may be returned to the game.
(3) A player whose mount has been injured shall change to another mount within 5 minutes. A mount removed due to injury may not return to the game.
(4) The game shall be resumed immediately if no change of mount is made.
(5) Except as provided in this rule and in the enforcement of Rule 5.b or 5.c , a player should never be allowed time out for the purpose of changing mounts.

Interpretation to Rule 5. MOUNTS: The mandate is that Umpires are to take positive action to protect players and the sport from the perception of animal abuse. The Umpires must award a Penalty, which not only penalizes the fouling side, but recognizes any advantage the fouled side lost when the play was stopped.

If, in the opinion of the Umpire(s), a mount is deemed physically unfit from exhaustion, distress, lameness, excessive sweating and/or laboring in breathing, the Umpires may remove the mount for the remainder of the chukker or the entire game. If any player abuses a mount, play should be stopped immediately and the appropriate penalty awarded.

In the case of visible blood, time should be called when play is next stopped. The player may have up to 5 minutes to clean up the mount or change. If the wound continues to bleed, the mount shall be ordered off the field. The mount may return to the game later if its condition permits.

(Note: The Argentine Polo Association has instructed their umpires: A player who demands the play be stopped or dismounts arguing a non-evident problem with his mount can be penalized if the alleged problem cannot be verified. A tired horse is no reason to stop a game and the player shall change it without being waited for.)

3) Rule 24. RIGHT OF WAY
Umpires will call blocking or shading of the right of way.