Segway Polo Rules Change Log
Material changes to any rule or the addition or removal of rules will
be denoted by a change in the dot version number of the rules. (Ex: 1.0 to
1.1). Minor changes such as spelling, gramatical changes or changes in format
for better readability will be denoted by a dot, dot version number. (Ex: 1.1
to 1.1.1 or 1.1.1 to 1.1.2).
- III. Teams and
Players, F., III., b.
- From: b. Any player who leaves the game due to injury or illness may not return
to the game until the end of the the chukker following that during which
the player left the game. (e.g. if a player leaves the game during the
second chukker due to injury, he or she may not return to the game until
after the third chukker.)
- To: b. Any player who leaves the game due to injury or
illness may not return to the game until the following chukker. (e.g. if
a player leaves the game during the second chukker due to injury, he or she
may not return to the game until the third chukker.) If a player
leaves the game due to injury or illness during the final chukker,
he or she may not return to the game.
- Changed third level items to lower case Roman numerals. (Ex: I became i,
IV became iv). Done for clarity in review process.
- Changes to General Rules Section
- 1, F and F, i. to 1, E, ii. and E, iii. - 1, F
was really just a continuation of 1, E.
- Section - II A
- Current: Segway: A stock HT/PT (i, p, or e series), XT, i2 or x2
Segway may be used. Additional protective gear may be added but may not exceed
the width of the stock Segway. A player may be required to remove any equipment
which may be hazardous to another player.
- Change: Segway: Any stock personal transporter (PT) manufactured by Segway.
Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width of a stock
Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which may be hazardous
to another player.
- Reason: Remove the term HT (no longer used as a descriptor for the Segway);
clarify the term PT; remove the term "Additional" as there is no
other protective gear; Change the term "may be" to "will be" in
order to ensure that there is always a standard of safety which will be applied.
- Section - II B
- Current: Red Key: A stock red key or custom 12.5 mph key is required. Under
no circumstances will an HT/PT modified to exceed 12.5 mph be used.
- Change: Key: A key which does not allow a speed in excess of 12.5 mph (20
Kmph) is required. Under no circumstance will a Segway PT modified to exceed
12.5 mph (20 Kmph) be used.
- Reason: Any key (red, pink, blue, or Infokey) can be used. Color is not
an issue so take out the reference to "Red); list speeds in both MPH
and KMPH.
- Section - II C
- Current: Mallet: Mallets shall not exceed an overall length of 42 inches.
The cane may not exceed one inch in diameter. The head may not exceed three
inches in diameter, nine inches in length, and ten ounces in weight.
- Change: Mallet: Mallets shall not exceed an overall length of 42 inches
(106.68 cm). The shaft may not exceed one (1) inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.
The head may not exceed three (3) inches (7.62 cm) in diameter, nine (9)
inches (22.86 cm) in length, and ten (10) ounces (283.5 g) in weight.
- Reason: Add metric measurements; change the word cane
to shaft for clarity. Will need to look at actual mallet to check these specs.
- Section - II D
- Current: Ball: The ball shall be 6" in diameter and made of "nerf" type
material to prevent injury to the rider and/or damage to the Segway should
it be run over.
- Change: Ball: The ball shall be 4 inches (10.16 cm)
in diameter and made of a compressible or foam material ("Nerf") to prevent
injury to the rider and/or damage to the Segway should it be run over.
- Reason: Change size of ball to current ball in use;
Add metric; put the term "nerf" in
parenthesis and added more generic terms as nerf is not a worldwide term
- Section - II G
- Current: Any other equipment, such as shin, knee, or elbow guards, must
be of such design and material so as not to constitute a hazard to other
players.
- Change: Any other equipment, including protective or added to the Segway,
must be of such design and material so as not to constitute a hazard
to other players.
- Reason: Clarify that "any other equipment" includes both personal
or added to the Segway.
- Section - X A i a
- Current: If the attacking team is fouled and the foul
occurs within one quarter of the field from the defending team's goal, the
penalty shot will be taken from the center of the Quarter Line on the defending
team's side (position "A" on field
diagram). Only one defending player will be allowed between the player
taking the foul shot and the goal.
- Change: If the attacking team is fouled and the foul occurs
within one quarter of the field from the defending team's goal, the penalty
shot will be taken from the center of the Quarter Line on the defending team's
side (position "A" on field
diagram). Only one defending player will be allowed between the player
taking the foul shot and the goal. The player taking the foul shot must shoot
from the point where the ball is placed.
- Reason: Added "The player taking the foul shot must shoot
from the point where the ball is placed."
- Section - X A i b
- Current: The other defending players must stay at least
fifteen feet from the ball and ten feet outside the goal posts.
- Change:The other defending players must stay at least
fifteen feet from the ball and ten feet outside the goal posts and may not
interfere with the player taking the foul shot.
- Reason: Added "and may not interfere with the player
taking the foul shot"
to further clarify the foul shot.
- Section - X A i c
- Current: None.
- Change: If the foul shot is blocked by the designated
member of the defending team the other players are free to move in and play
resumes as normal.
- Reason: Added section c as further clarification of the
foul shot process.
- Section - X A ii
- Current: If the fouling team violates the procedure
set forth in part A, and a player within fifteen feet of the ball interferes
with the free shot, the team fouled shall be awarded another Penalty #1 from
the point where the offending player touched the ball.
- Change: If the fouling team violates the procedure
set forth in part A, and a player within fifteen feet of the ball interferes
with the free shot, the team fouled shall be awarded another Penalty #1.
- Reason: Removed " from
the point where the offending player touched the ball" as Penalty #1 is,
by definition taken "from the center of the Quarter Line on the defending
team's side".
- Section - X D i
- Current: If a player commits repeated fouls, commits
a dangerous and deliberate foul, or
engages in conduct which the Referee feels is not in the best interest of
the game, the Referee may remove that player from the game for any length
of time he deems appropriate, including the remainder of the game, and may
either permit or prohibit substitution for the offending player during the
time he is absent from the game.
- Change: If a player commits repeated fouls, commits a
dangerous and deliberate foul, plays in an overly aggressive manner, or engages
in conduct which the Referee feels is not in the best interest of the game,
the Referee may remove that player from the game for any length of time he
deems appropriate, including the remainder of the game, and may either permit
or prohibit substitution for the offending player during the time he is absent
from the game.
- Reason: Added "plays in an overly aggressive manner,"
to spell out one likely call under this foul. This covers players who continue
to play in a way that is hazardous to other players on either team and continue
to do so even after being warned.
- Section - II B
- Current: Red Key: A stock red key or custom 12.5 mph key is required. Under
no circumstances will an HT/PT modified to exceed 12.5 mph be used.
- Change: Key: A key which does not allow a speed in excess of 12.5 mph (20
Kmph) is required. Under no circumstance will a Segway PT modified to exceed
12.5 mph (20 Kmph) be used.
- Reason: Any key (red, pink, blue, or Infokey) can be used. Color is not
an issue so take out the reference to "Red); list speeds in both MPH
and KMPH.
- Section - II
- Change: Added "B. At no time shall a team have more than two (2) XT or X2 (all terrain model) type Segway PTs on the field during play." Renumbered remainder of Section II.
- Reason: Due to the larger size, XT or X2 type PTs may give one team an unfair advantage not based on player skill.
- Section - II A
- Current: A. Any stock personal transporter (PT) manufactured
by Segway. Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width
of a stock Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which
may be hazardous to another player.
- Change: A. Any stock personal transporter (PT) manufactured
by Segway. Wheels must be stock from Segway Inc., used on the machine it
was originally designed for, at the nominal factory recommended pressure,
+/- 1 psi. Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width
of a stock Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which
may be hazardous to another player.
- Reason: Further clarifies the definition of "stock personal
transporter (PT)".
- Section - IX B
- Current: B. No player may make any action, either physical
or verbal, intended to induce an opponent to refrain from making a play which
that opponent could have made without violating these rules.
- Change: No player may make any action, either physical
or verbal, intended to intimidate an opponent to refrain from making a play
which that opponent could have made without violating these rules.
- Reason: Changed wording to make rule less ambiguous. Previous
version could be interpreted to rule out defense.
- Section - X D i
- Current: If a player commits repeated fouls, commits a
dangerous and deliberate foul, plays in an overly aggressive manner, or engages
in conduct which the Referee feels is not in the best interest of the game,
the Referee may remove that player from the game for any length of time he
deems appropriate, including the remainder of the game, and may either permit
or prohibit substitution for the offending player during the time he is absent
from the game.
- Change:If a player commits repeated fouls, commits a dangerous
and deliberate foul, plays in an overly aggressive manner, or engages in
conduct which the Referee feels is not in the best interest of the game,
the Referee may, at their discretion, call a Penalty
1 or remove that player from the game for any length of time he deems
appropriate, including the remainder of the game, and may either permit or
prohibit substitution for the offending player during the time he is absent
from the game.
- Reason: Added the option to call a Penalty 1 in additon
to removal from the game.
- Section - I, A
- Current: A regulation playing field shall be 180 feet in length and 128 feet in width. (See field diagram)
- Change:A regulation playing field shall be 200 feet (61 meters) in length and 128 feet (39 meters)
in width. (See field diagram)
- Reason: Changed 180 feet to 200 feet. That is the size field we've been playing on for months and it works well. Added metric measurements and changed field diagram accordingly.
- Section - I
- Change: Added metric equivalents to all measurements in this section.
- Reason: Internationalize rules.
- Section - III, A
- Current: No player may play in any event for more than one team.
- Change: No player may play for more than one team in any event.
- Reason: Changed for clarity.
- Section - V, A, i
- Current: A game shall consist of an even number of chukkers, with a minimum of two and a maximum of six. A normal game will consist of four chukkers.
- Change: A game shall consist of an even number of chukkers, with a minimum of two and a maximum of six. A regulation game will consist of four chukkers except as determined by the Tournament Committee.
- Reason: Changed "normal" to "regulation" for clarity. Added exception for Tournament Committee for flexibility.
- Section - V, A, i
- Current: The clock shall be stopped whenever a goal is scored or the Referee blows the whistle and indicates the clock should stop, and started when the ball is hit or hit at.
- Change: The clock shall be stopped whenever a goal is scored or the Referee blows the whistle and indicates the clock should stop. The clock will be restarted when the ball is hit or hit at.
- Reason: Changed for clarity.
- Section - VI, C.
- Change: vii. A stationary defender in the Line of the Ball will not be in violation of the Right of Way as long as they are Stopped in Position and remain stationary until the offensive player with the Right of Way passes or the Line of the Ball changes.
a. To be considered Stopped in Position the offensive player needs to be stationary and allow enough opportunity for the offensive player to stop and/or change direction. If a defender isn't Stopped in Position and it impedes the progress of the offensive player or there is a collision it will be considered a foul (Penalty 1) against the defender. If the offensive player collides with a defender considered to be Stopped in Position a foul (Penalty 1) will be called against the offensive player.
- Reason: Added new vii to cover stationary defender. Changed original vii to viii and original viii to xi.
- Section - VII, B.
- Change: B. If a goal is scored due to the ball being directed into the goal by anything other than a player's mallet, as defined in Field Rules, VII. Playing the Ball, A., a determination will be made by the referee as to whether the ball was intentionally directed or not. If the referee determines that the ball was intentionally directed by anything other than a mallet the goal will be disallowed and the defending team will take the ball in from their End Line (Field Rules, IV. Ball Out of Bounds, B.).
- Reason: Added new B. Moved original B. to C. and C. to D. It is felt that a goal should only be scored by a ball being intentionally struck by a mallet unless the ball is directed unintentionally by another players body or Segway. This assures that people aren't, for example, punching the ball into the goal with their left hand or heading the ball into the goal, soccer-style.
- Section - II, A
- Current: Any stock personal transporter (PT) manufactured by Segway. Wheels must be stock from Segway Inc., used on the machine it was originally designed for, at the nominal factory recommended pressure, +/- 1 psi. Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width of a stock Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which may be hazardous to another player.
- Change: Any stock two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle manufactured by Segway, Inc., more commonly known and referred to interchangeably as an HT, PT or Segway. Tires and wheels must be stock from Segway Inc., used on the machine they were originally designed for, at the nominal factory recommended pressure, +/- 1 psi. Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width of a stock Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which may be hazardous to another player.
- Reason: Changed to clarify definition of a "Segway". Also added "Tires" to further define rule.
- Section - II, B
- Current: At no time shall a team have more than two (2) XT or X2 (all terrain model) type Segway PTs on the field during play.
- Change: An X-type machine will be any stock Segway whose measurement from the outside of the left wheel and tire to the outside of the right wheel and tire exceeds 25.5 inches (64.75 cm) At no time shall a team have more than two (2) X-type Segways on the field during play.
- Reason: Changed to clarify definition of "X-type Segway".
- Section - II, D
- Current: Mallet: Mallets shall not exceed an overall length of 42 inches (106.68 cm). The shaft may not exceed one 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter. The head may not exceed 3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter, 9 inches (22.86 cm) in length, and 10 ounces (283.5 g) in weight.
- Change: Mallet: Mallets shall not exceed an overall length of 42 inches (106.68 cm). The shaft may not exceed one 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter. The head may not exceed 3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter, 9 inches (22.86 cm) in length, and 10 ounces (283.5 g) in weight. The mallet head must be wrapped with at least ¼ inch (.635 cm) closed cell foam padding around the barrel as well as the two ends. The padding must be secured to the mallet head in a way that does not significantly change the form or function of the mallet, such as by using tape. Because padding the mallet head lowers the risk of serious injury to other players, the referee prior to the match will inspect mallets. If it is determined that a mallet head has insufficient padding, or is wrapped so tightly as to compress the foam to the point that it could be considered an injury risk, the referee will indicate that the mallet must be exchanged for another, appropriately padded, mallet. If another mallet is not available the referee may choose to delay the match while the offending mallet(s) are re-padded.
- Reason: Changed to specify that mallets must be padded and to outline referee's options in the event that they are not padded or improperly padded.
- Section - II, E
- Current: Ball: The ball shall be 4 inches (10.16 cm) in diameter and made of a compressible or foam material ("Nerf") to prevent injury to the rider and/or damage to the Segway should it be run over.
- Changed: Ball: The ball shall be 4 inches (10.16 cm) to 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) in diameter and made of a compressible or foam material ("Nerf") to prevent injury to the rider and/or damage to the Segway should it be run over.
- Reason: Changed to allow for 4 1/8 inch ball that is currently available to us.
- Section - All
- Change: Changed all instances of "HT", "PT", "Segway PT" and "Segway HT" to "Segway".
- Reason: Changed for clarity.
- Note: "Segway" may be changed later to another term that is even clearer.
- Section - III, A
- Change: Added "A. All players playing in a officially sanctioned ISPA tournament shall be at least 16 years of age and show adequate competence to play without being a danger to themselves, other players, tournament officials or spectators." (Current rules III., A - G will be changed to III., B - H)
- Reason: This sets an age limit that is reasonable for a player to play in a primarily adult tournament as well as requiring all players to show "adequate competence" to play.
- Section - III, D
- Current: Number of Players on Field: No team may have more than five players on the Playing Field while the ball is in play. Tournaments may be held with fewer than five players per team allowed on the field, but in no case may the limit be less than two. Tournaments may also be held which limit the number of male or female players on the field.
- Change: Number of Players on Field: No team may have more than five players on the Playing Field while the ball is in play. Sanctioned Events, as defined in the ISPA Bylaws, shall be held with no less than five players on the field per team. Non-sanctioned Events, as also defined in the ISPA Bylaws, may be held with fewer than five players per team at the Tournament Organizers' discretion but in no case shall a team have less than three players on the field at a time.
- i. In the event that a team can not field the full number of players required for a Tournament Match for any reason other than disqualification of a player, Tournament Organizers shall choose one of the following options:
- a. If the Tournament is a ISPA Sanctioned Event:
- i. the team will be forced to forfeit any subsequent matches until they have the required number of players.
- b. If the Tournament is a Non-sanctioned Event:
- i. The Tournament Organizers can reduce the required number of players for all matches. This must be decided prior to the first match and ideally with all participating teams being notified at least 90 days before the Tournament.
- ii. The opposing team may agree to play with a reduced number of players for that match. The opposing team is not required to agree to this and if they choose not to the team that does not meet the minimum required number of players will be forced to forfeit the match.
- iii. The team can be forced to forfeit the match and any subsequent matches until they have the required number of players.
- Reason: Clarify the rule concerning number of players per team and what may be done in the event of a team not having the required number of players for both sanctioned and non-sanctioned tournaments or matches. Changed minimum number of players to three from two.
- Section - VIII, D
- Current: A “strike” consists of a light hit to the lower third of an opponent's mallet. A player may strike an opponent's mallet at any time if the following conditions are met:
- i. Both mallets are below waist-level.
- ii. Striking an opponent's mallet may not seriously impede another player's forward motion.
- Change: A “strike” consists of a light hit to the lower third of an opponent's mallet. A player may strike an opponent's mallet only if the following conditions are met:
- i. Both players are within the immediate vicinity of and attempting to gain control of the ball.
- ii. Both mallets are below waist-level.
- iii. Striking an opponent's mallet may not seriously impede another player's forward motion.
- Reason: Some players are abusing the rule. Not only are they ignoring the definition of a "strike" but also using it solely as an intimidation tool. This change would change that motivation as well as more clearly defining what is appropriate mallet contact.
- Section - VII, New D.
- Change:. At no time may a player moving forward push the ball down field while the mallet maintains continuous contact with the ball.
- i. Continuous contact is defined as mallet to ball contact of longer than 2 seconds while the player is moving forward with the ball.
- ii. If it is determined that a player has violated this rule a Penalty 1 shall be called and the ball will be taken from the site of the infraction.
- Reason: To prevent the ball from being pushed down field at high speed on artificial turf fields.
- Section - II, A.
- Current: Any stock two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle manufactured by Segway, Inc., more commonly known and referred to interchangeably as an HT, PT or Segway. Tires and wheels must be stock from Segway Inc., used on the machine they were originally designed for, at the nominal factory recommended pressure, +/- 1 psi. Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width of a stock Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which may be hazardous to another player.
- Change:. Any stock two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle manufactured by Segway, Inc., more commonly known and referred to interchangeably as an HT, PT or Segway.
- i. Wheels must be stock from Segway Inc., used on the machine they were originally designed for.
- ii. Tires must be stock or on the approved list of tires (see Appendix A). Tires must meet the following requirements:
- a. Both tires must be the same model and mounted on stock wheels made for that model Segway.
- b. No part of the Segway (wheel, axel, fender, etc) can be modified from stock in any way.
- c. The tire shall be no more than +1psi for the recommended pressure listed in the official manual for that model Segway.
- d. Tires may not cause the Segway to exceed the original width of a stock Segway of that model.
- e. All tires shall be inflatable tires - no solid tires. No gel or other material can be added to the tire to make it solid.
- f. Tires may not present an undue hazard to other players, equipment or the playing surface.
- iii. Protective gear may be added but may not exceed the original width of a stock Segway. A player will be required to remove any equipment which may be hazardous to another player.
- Reason: Allows addition of appendix for allowed tires. Stock tires are no longer available for the Gen 1 i-series. As a result an exception needed to be made at for at least the Gen 1's. The Rules Committee decided to extend it to all i-series.
- Appendix A. Approved Tires
- Change: Adding IRC-SN23 as first on list.
- Reason: See change to II, A. above.