NEWS

RULE 24- RIGHT OF WAY (Cont.)

c. No player shall enter or cross the Right of Way except at such speed and distance that creates not the slightest risk of a collision or danger to any player.
d. When the Line of the Ball changes and, as a result, the Right of Way changes, an opponent must be granted the necessary time to clear the new Right of Way. Note: A player in possession of the ball on his offside may move the ball at any angle to the left, and the trailing opponent may only play the ball on his nearside. A player clearing the Right of Way may make no offensive or defensive play in doing so

24. RIGHT OF WAY c...INTERPRETATIONS: Should the act of an opponent require the player on the ROW to adjust or maneuver, a foul has occurred. If the player can maintain pace and direction with no risk, no foul has occurred. If the opponent’s act creates a risk of collision or danger, a foul should be called.

Relative speed and distance between the player and opponent are the determining factors. A player checking may reduce the margins required for an opponent to enter or cross the ROW. “Blocking”, “shading”, “squeezing” or infringing the ROW so as not to allow the player with the ROW a clear path to the ball is a ROW violation.

EXAMPLES: As Blue #1 carries the ball down field followed closely by Blue #3. Red rides from the right, executes a hook, and passes behind Blue #1. Foul Red. Although Red passed behind and clear of Blue #1, Blue #3 also had a ROW extending ahead of his course and was fouled by Red.

Red #1 is on the ROW and carrying the ball at speed. Blue #4 comes from Red’s left at a wide angle and speed to engage Red #1 in the ride-off. As Blue flattens out, his horse’s rear quarters drift in the ROW of Red. Red #1 checks and avoids a collision. Foul on Blue for shading the ROW and causing a dangerous situation.

Blue #4 knocks in and rides to follow up. Red #2 circles to Blue’s left and slightly ahead. Blue, seeing Red infringe his ROW to the ball, checks. Red pulls out of the play and gives Blue safe passage to the ball. Foul Red, but perhaps a non-call if Blue still controls the ball.

Blue #2 carries the ball on his offside at speed. Red #3 approaches Blue from the left for an even ride-off. Blue #2, twenty (20) yards from the ball, checks down to a canter to avoid the ride-off. Red #3 accelerates, entering the line safely in front of Blue and plays the ball on his off-side. No foul on Red #3 because Blue #2, by checking, took the danger out of the play, and allowed Red #3 to enter the ROW at a safe distance and relative speed, with no risk of collision.

24. RIGHT OF WAY d...INTERPRETATION: When the LOB changes, for whatever reason, no player may take up the new ROW without giving an opponent obstructing that ROW a chance to move off the ROW. A player who picks up the new ROW before it can be cleared and creates a dangerous situation has committed a foul. The obstructing opponent may not play the ball or the player and must select the quickest exit route. A player who changes the LOB in front of an opponent may not assume the ROW except at a distance that does not create a risk of collision or danger to any other player.

EXAMPLES: Red hits the ball forward and it rebounds off a divot toward Blue. Although Blue can meet the ball directly, and now has the ROW, he must give Red an opportunity to clear the way.

Blue controls the ball and hits toward goal, changing the LOB. Red is positioned ahead of Blue and is across the new LOB. Red must be given the chance to clear the new ROW and Blue may not ride into him claiming a foul.

Red rides to the ball pursued closely by Blue. Red taps the ball sharply to the right in front of Blue and turns quickly to pick up the ROW on the new LOB. Even though the LOB and ROW have changed Red has created a risk of collision or danger and may not make this play.

Red, following Blue and anticipating Blue’s intent to turn the ball, accelerates to push for a foul. If Blue taps and turns on the new LOB, the burden is on Blue to safely turn; not on Red to stop or pull out.

Blue rides to the Ball with Red close behind. Blue cuts the ball forward and to the right. As long as the speed and angle are such that Red can reasonably adjust to either clear the new ROW or make a legal ride off, Blue’s play is acceptable.

Blue is riding on Red’s off side. Red can turn the ball to the left as there is no risk to Blue. Should Blue be on Red’s near side, Red may turn to the right.

Red #3, pursued by Blue #2, checks, taps the ball forward, rakes it back, and turns around it. Foul Red. There was no real line change and Red cannot turn on the ball in front of the opponent

Blue executes a flip shot to the right creating a new line, checks, turns and prepares to follow the new line. Red, following, is unable to check and turn so follows the old line until clear of the play. Blue must hold up to let Red clear. Red must ride through to avoid fouling. Red fouls if he makes a play at the ball.

Blue flips the ball to the side under Red’s mount. Red, trapped on the new ROW spurs his mount to clear the way. As Red rides clear, his mount kicks the ball creating a new LOB. No foul and either player may be entitled to the new ROW.

A quick line change traps Blue on the ROW. Blue checks and pulls off to the right clearing the way for Red who has held up to avoid a collision. As Red moves on the new, and now clear ROW, Blue executes a nearside hook and then plays the ball. Foul on Blue. Blue was given time to clear and may not take advantage of that privilege. Blue holds up to permit Red to clear a new line. Red clears properly, but Red’s teammate rides up to hook Blue. No foul, just the breaks of the game. If Red clears slowly to give a teammate time to ride up and hook, foul Red. This is “making a play”.