ORGANISATION
OF THE GAME
- The Game will be played
by three players on each team using a standard size polo ball.
-
Preliminary games will
consist of two 7 minute chukkas of playing time, with an interval of 15
minutes. The whistle blown by the referee stops and starts the play. Finals
and semi-final games will consist of two chukkas with the same interval.
-
The pitch will be marked
with a centre line, a circle with a radius of 10 metres in the centre of the
field, and a semi-circle, in front of the goals, with a radius of 20 metres,
measured from the centre of the goal line at either end of the pitch will form
the D.
-
Elephants and ends are
changed at half time.
- To
be a goal, the ball must travel over and across the goal line.
RULES OF THE GAME
-
START OF THE GAME:
The play is begun when an Umpire, from outside the centre circle, throws the
ball between two opposing elephants inside the ring. No other elephants may
enter the ring until the ball has been hit out by either of the two opposing
players. To do so is foul. A spot hit is to be given to the fouled team, from
the spot where the ball was when the foul occurred. Defending elephants must
be 15 metres from the ball before the spot hit is taken.
-
NUMBER OF ELEPHANTS ON THE PITCH:
(a) No team may have more than two elephants playing in one half of the pitch
at any given time, including at the throw-in before the start of the game, and
the throw-in after each goal is scored. To do so constitutes a foul. A spot
hit will be given from the place where the foul occurred. Elephants from the
defending side should be 15 metres from the ball.
(b) The elephant that is designated to be in the opposing half must position
itself anywhere in the opposition’s half, but no less than 15 metres from the
ball, at the throw-in, after each goal. The elephant in the opposing half may
switch positions, during play, with another of its team as long as there are
no more than two elephants in one half of the pitch at any given time during
play. In order to avoid a foul the switch should be made during the time that
the game has stopped. The Umpire should be informed by the Captain before the
switch is made.
-
GOAL/SEMI CIRCLE – NO MORE THAN ONE ELEPHANT FROM EACH SIDE ALLOWED IN THE D:
If the Attacking team has more than one elephant in the semi-circle, then the
Defending team is given a free spot hit from a point on the semi-circle line
opposite the middle of the goal. Opposition players are to be 15 metres from
the ball. If there are two defending elephants in the semi-circle, this also
constitutes a foul. A free hit is given to the Attacking team from the point
at which the ball is when the foul occurs. Elephants from the Defending side
must be 15 metres from the ball. This could mean that the elephants from the
Defending side must be over the back-line, or at the sides of the semi-circle
– 15 metres from the ball, even if it results in an undefended goal mouth.
- HIT
IN/OUTS – SIDELINE/BACKLINES AND ON 20 METRES SEMI CIRCLE TO
THE D :
a.
All opposing
elephants must be 15 metres away from the ball, whether the hit-in be from the
sideline, the backline or a spot hit awarded in the field, for whatever reason,
as decided by the umpire.
b.
Rebounding off
elephants – “No Penalty”:
Should an Attacking player hit the ball and the ball goes out of play,
having deflected off any elephant, then it is a knock in for the Defending
team. All Attacking elephants must be 15 metres from the spot, with only one
Attacking and one Defending elephant, in the D allowed.
c.
Should a
Defending player hit the ball out over the back-line, whether or not it is
deflected off any elephant, it will be hit for the Attacking team 20
metres out opposite where the ball crossed the line. All Defending elephants
must be 15 metres from the spot and only one Defending and one
Attacking elephant may be allowed in the “D”.
d.
Should the
Defending player hit the ball and it rebounds off an Attacking
player’s stick before going out directly, or off any elephant, on its way out,
then it is a knock-in for the Defending team from where the ball crossed
the line. All elephants of the Attacking team are to be 15 metres away
and one Defending and one Attacking elephant are allowed in the D.
Should the knock-in be on line within the radius of the D then the Defending
elephants taking the hit shall be considered as the one Defending Elephant
allowed in the D.
e.
An Attacking
team will be awarded a free hit from 20 metres opposite from where the ball went
over the back line, should the ball strike a Defender’s stick, either
having been struck at, or the ball accidentally hitting the Defender’s
stick, whether of not the ball deflects off an elephant. The Defending elephants
must be 15 metres from the spot be allowed in the spot with only one
Defending and one Attacking elephant allowed in the D.
f.
Should a
Defending or Attacking player hit a penalty or spot hit from the 20
metre semi-circle comprising the D, then that elephant is considered as the one
allowed in the D from his side. No others may be allowed to stand in the D to
supplement the player taking the shot.
An elephant from the opposing side from the one taking the penalty, or spot hit,
may be allowed, in the D.
-
ELEPHANTS - SIZE - SEX AND BEHAVIOUR:
There shall be no restrictions as to the height, weight or sex of the
elephants.
-
NUMBER OF ELEPHANTS & MAHOUTS:
A team consists of three elephants. Teams are made up from the pool of
elephants and balanced out as fairly as possible bearing in mind size and
speed of the elephant. Once the team of elephants has been selected it shall
be categorized and marked as A,B,C,D, E, F. Once chosen the elephants can not
be changed from one team to another, except in case of injury to an elephant.
The umpire and referees will decide which elephant(s) are to be substituted.
Wherever possible they will choose an elephant of similar size and speed to
replace the injured elephant(s).
The mahout of the elephant chosen must play the entire tournament on the
elephant originally assigned. The mahout cannot be changed at anytime except
for injury or circumstances accepted by the Umpires and/or the Referee.
-
No elephants may lie
down in front of the goal-mouth. To do so will constitute a foul. A free hit
shall be awarded to the opposing side from the 20 metres semi circle in front
of the goal, with only one elephant defending 15 metres from the spot.
-
An elephant may not pick
up the ball with its trunk during play. To do so shall constitute a foul. A
free hit shall be awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the ball
was picked up. The defending players shall be 15 metres away from the spot.
-
FALLING OFF:
If a player falls from an elephant, the play is stopped while the rider
remounts. In case of injury, where the player cannot continue, a replacement
may be called upon from among the reserves nominated, at the beginning of the
Championship. Also see rule 20. Play is commenced with a throw-in by the
Umpire between two elephants – one from each team, similar to the start of the
game, but from the spot where the ball was when the player fell off. All other
elephants shall be 15 metres from the spot.
-
ELEPHANT HARNESS:
Should there be any failure in the elephant’s harness, the elephant shall
retire to the side, or end line, to repair it. The game is stopped and
restarted by a throw-in between two opposing elephants where the ball was when
the game stopped.
-
BROKEN STICK:
Should a stick be broken, when play is in the D, the game will not be stopped
until the ball leaves the D. For a broken stick when the play is outside of
the D, the game will be stopped while the player changes his stick. Play
commences with a throw-in by the umpire, between one elephant from each side.
All other players being 15 metres away.
-
HEAD
GEAR:
Elephant drivers and players must wear a protective hat of a design approved
by the Referee, Umpire and Tournament Doctor. Should a player’s hat fall off
outside the “D”, the game is stopped while it is recovered. A spot hit is
awarded to the opposing side and the game shall resume when the Umpire signals
to do so by a whistle and flag. Defending players must be 15 metres from the
spot. Should the hat fall inside the “D”, the game will continue, and will
only stop when the ball clears the “D”.
-
PICK-ME-UPS:
Sugar cane or rice balls packed with vitamins (molasses and rock salt) shall
be given to the elephants at the end of each match and a cold beer, or soft
drink, to the elephant drivers and not vice versa.
-
PERSONAL FOULS: The following acts constitute a foul.
a. Hooking the
opponent's stick.
b. Deliberately
crossing in front of an elephant when the opponent is moving with the ball.
Elephants may ride each other off or may be deliberately placed between
elephants without the ball in order to impede their progress in getting to the
ball, but deliberate crossing in front of the elephant with the ball constitutes
a foul.
c. Standing “on” the
ball, backing or going forward over a ball to stop a player reaching the ball.
d. Intentionally
hitting another player, mahout, elephant, or Umpire with a stick.
e. Dangerous play.
“Round house” swings considered a danger to another player or elephant. “Round
house” swings are allowed if there are no other players, or elephants, of either
side, at the risk being hit. The definition of “too close” is at the discretion
of the Umpire.
f. Excessive use of
any tool to discipline the elephant, either by mahout or player. Persistent
infringement will lead to the player being sent from the field for the duration
of the match, at the referee’s discretion a further ban of one chukka may be
awarded for this offence. The player is responsible for the behaviour of their
mahout.
THE HEALTH AND WELFARE
OF THE ELEPHANTS USED IN T.E.P.A. TOURNAMENTS IS A PRIME CONCERN, ABUSE OF THE
ELEPHANT IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENCE.
-
PENALTIES:
.
When a player from
a team commits a foul, from a, b or c, of “Personal Fouls”, the opposing team is
allowed a free hit, from where the foul occurred. Elephants from the teams that
fouled, must be 15 metres from the spot.
a.
The penalty for
breaking Rule 14(d) and 14(e) will be at the discretion of the Umpire. The
Umpire may award a spot hit against the offending team, from the spot where the
ball was when the foul was committed, or if serious enough, especially following
repeated warnings, may award a penalty from the 20 metre semi-circle with no
opposition player guarding the goal. All other elephants must be 15 metres from
the penalty spot with only one opposing player in the D but not in front of the
goal.
-
UMPIRES, REFEREE, GOAL JUDGES, AND TIME KEEPER:
.
There will a Senior
Umpire together with an assistant Umpire mounted on the Referee elephant. The
official Referee can be on the Referee Elephant, or be positioned on the
sideline near the centre of the field of play. The Referee and Umpires must
follow the play as closely as possible without impeding it. The Senior Umpire
may consult with the Referee should there be any serious doubt as to
infringements and penalties to be awarded, or concerning any official protest
from a team captain.
a.
There will be a
goal judge at either goal.
b.
There will be at
least two Time keepers on one side of the pitch at the mid-line.
i.
When the ball is
knocked out of bounds time is stopped until, at a signal from the Umpire using a
whistle and flag, it is knocked in again.
ii.
Time is also
stopped when a penalty is called by the Umpire. Again by using a flag and a
whistle, the game is started again.
iii.
The first chukka
will end at the ten minute bell/bugle.
iv.
Second chukka – at
the end of 10 minutes play the bell/bugle shall signify the end of the normal
chukka – play stops. However, if the ball is the in the D at the end of the 10
minutes the game shall be signaled when the ball travels out of the D, whether
goal or not .
17.
THE LEAGUE
WIN = 2 points, DRAW = 1
point
-
Should there be a draw
in any of the two Leagues to decide first and second semi finalists there will
be a penalty shoot out from the centre of the 20 metre D with no elephant
defending the goal. Should it still be a draw after all three players from
each team have made their hit then a “sudden–death” penalty shoot out will be
used to determine which team is first or second.
-
Should there be a draw
for second and third place then two-five minute chukkas will be played between
the teams to decide who is second and third. Should there be a draw at the end
of the two-five minute chukkas then a penalty shoot-out between those teams
will also be conducted as with rules spelled out in 17a.
-
Should there be a draw
for third and fourth place then it is to be decided upon by penalty shoot out.
-
Should multiple teams
draw in any league then penalty shoot-outs will be taken between each team.
- The penalties shall be taken from the centre of the 20 metre semi-circle. The
ball may only be hit once. Should the player miss the ball completely other
swings may be taken until there is contact. A goal is awarded whether the ball
goes directly in across the line or deflects off a post across the
line.
18.
T.E.P.A FINALS:
- The top two teams from each league go through to T.E.P.A Championship Finals.
19.
EXTRA TIME AND PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS
a.
If the score is a
draw at the end of both chukkas, the game shall be decided by “sudden death”.
Ends shall be changed, but not elephants. The first team to score a goal wins
the match. The period of play shall be 5 minutes of playing time. Should there
still be a draw at the end of the extra time, then the game shall be decided by
a penalty shoot out. Each member of the team will take a penalty shot, in turn,
from the 20 metres spot on the D opposite the goal as in rule 17a.
b.
Should there still
be a draw after both teams, have shot at goal, then “sudden –death” penalties
will take place. The Captain of each team shall choose the order of the players
and elephants to take the penalties. The team that scores the first goal during
sudden death shoot out wins.
20.
INJURY OR SICKNESS
In the case of injury, sickness or extenuating circumstances a substitute(s) is
allowed. The substitute(s) must be of a similar standard, or less, than the
injured, or person being replaced.
21.
HANDICAPPING
Handicaps will be
assigned by the T.E.P.A. Handicapping Committee who will adhere to the following
rules.
a. Professional Horse Polo Players: The handicap
awarded to any registered professional horse polo player shall total half of
their horse polo handicap.
PLAYERS WHO HAVE
NOT BEEN ASSIGNED A HANDICAP UNDER RULE A, WILL BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR
HANDICAP ASSIGNMENT UNDER RULE B.
b. Professional
and Seasoned Elephant Polo Players: A half goal handicap will be assigned to any
player that has played in three or more World Series (WEPA, TEPA or CEPA)
Elephant Polo Championships anywhere in the world and does not have a horse polo
handicap.
c.
The T.E.P.A. Committee reserves the right to assign a handicap to any
player for reasons other than those outlined in a. and b. In order to do this a
special meeting of all team captains will be called before the tournament
commences. Player handicaps may not be changed during the tournament.
d.
Should a the team's total handicap when summed result in a half goal, the
handicap will be rounded down.
22. DISSENT TOWARDS
THE UMPIRE AND REFEREE
a. If any player or team representative should
show dissent toward any decision made by the umpire or referee a free hit may be
awarded to the opposition from where the ball was when the dissent occurred.
b. Should a free
hit already be awarded when the dissent occurs the free hit will be taken from a
position five metres closer to the goal of the dissenting team.
c. Continued dissent will result in further five
metre penalties.
|
