Sun, 26 Oct 2025 02:46:23 -0500WeeblySat, 03 May 2025 15:13:52 GMThttp://www.dfwpolo.com/tournament-conditions-and-variances/2025-tournament-conditions-and-varience-informationIX. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR FAIR PLAY POSSESSION
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may direct the
Umpires employ the “undefended possession play” or “fair play possession” as described
below:
Notwithstanding USPA Outdoor Rules 21.l, 22.e, and 22.e(4), which remain in force,
if the Umpire or Umpires stop play due to an inadvertent whistle, a damaged or buried
ball, a fallen or injured Umpire, player or horse, or some other perceived emergency or
unexpected event, and the team in possession of the ball is significantly disadvantaged
by the interruption of play, to be determined by the Umpires in their discretion, the team
in possession of the ball when one of the events described above shall retain possession
of the ball through a “possession play” as follows:
(a) If play is stopped when the ball is between the two 60-yard lines, the free hit will
be taken from the point where the ball was when play was stopped.
(b) If play is stopped when the ball is on or inside the 60-yard line and the free hit is
awarded to the attacking team, the free hit will be taken from a spot 60 yards from
the end line opposite where the ball was when play was stopped, but no more than 40
yards from the center of the 60-yard line.
(c) If play is stopped when the ball is on or inside the 60-yard line and the free hit is
awarded to the defending team, the free hit will be taken from rom the point where
the ball was when play was stopped.
(d) In each of the situations described above, the team granted possession is free to
position themselves anywhere on or off the playing field. All members of the other
team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position must be behind the
30-yard line until the ball is hit or hit at.
(e) The Umpire shall count 8 seconds and drop a ball at the appropriate spot, and a
member of the team awarded possession shall have 5 seconds to play the ball.
(f) If the ball is placed anywhere other than on the 60-yard line as described in sub-
paragraph (b) above, the team may play the ball by hitting away or tapping the ball.
(g) If the ball is placed on the 60-yard line as described in subparagraph (b) above, the
team may only play the ball by hitting to goal or to a teammate, but not by tapping.
X. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE 2.d
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may direct the
Umpires to employ the version of USPA Outdoor Rule 2d set forth below:
d. A player registered with the USPA is eligible to play in any USPA Event except that:
(1) A player with a handicap of -1 goal may not play in a USPA Event above the
12 goal level.
(2) There shall be no more than one -1 goal or -0.5 goal rated player per team in
any USPA Event with an upper handicap limit above 6 goals. In a USPA Event
rated 7 to 12 goals, should a substitute be required in the event a player is removed
from the game due to an inability to continue or by disqualification or penalty, and
only a -1 goal or -0.5 goal player is available, and the substitution would result in
more than one -1 goal or -0.5 goal rated player being on the team, the substitution
nevertheless may be made for that game only so long as the team substituting plays
with its original (higher) handicap.
(3) In any USPA Event with an upper handicap limit of 7 goals or above, the handicap
of any player may not exceed 3/4 of the upper handicap limit.
(4) In any USPA Event with an upper handicap limit of 3 goals or below, the handicap
of the highest rated player on the team may not exceed the upper handicap limit of
the Event by more than one goal.
(5) In any USPA Event with an upper handicap limit of between 4 goals and 6 goals,
if the handicap of any player exceeds 3/4 of the upper handicap limit, that player’s
handicap may not exceed the upper handicap limit of the Event and the handicap
of that player and the next highest rated player on the team may not exceed the
upper handicap limit of the Event by more than one goal.
XI. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE 8.a
With notice to teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may direct the
Umpires to employ the following version of USPA Outdoor Rule 8.a set forth below:
a) All Umpires and Referees shall be members of the USPA. Every game shall have
two mounted Umpires and a Referee, however events with an upper handicap level of
8 goals and below and events with an upper Women’s Handicap level of 12 goals and
below may have one mounted USPA Professional Umpire. Such games will not have
a Referee and all decisions by the single mounted Umpire will be final.
XIII. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE 2.a
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may employ
and direct the Umpires to employ the version of USPA Outdoor Rule 2 set forth below:
RULE 2- PLAYERS
a. No player shall play in any Event for more than one team, except that, with notice
to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may designate a
handicap range (for example, 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-goals) containing players who may
be excepted under the circumstances described below:
(i) During preliminary play (i.e., non-elimination games), if a player within
the designated handicap range is injured or becomes ill during a game, a player
competing in the Event of equal or lesser handicap to the injured or ill player
may substitute only for the remainder of that game. For all subsequent games
in the Event only eligible substitutes may be used.
(ii) After preliminary play, if a player within the designated handicap range
is injured or ill and cannot start or becomes injured in a game, an eliminated
player of equal or lesser handicap may substitute for the injured or ill player
for the remainder of the game and/or Event. An eliminated player is a player
who has completed his or her final game in the Event and whose team has been
eliminated from the Event. The substitute is not eligible to compete for any
other team in the Event.
XIV. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE
14.b (the “Buzzer–Beater”)
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may employ
and direct the Umpires to employ the versions of USPA Outdoor Rule 14.b and Outdoor
Rule 22.e(4) set forth below:
b. In each period of the game, at the end of 7 minutes of elapsed time, a single horn or
bell will sound to indicate that up to 30 seconds of overtime remain in the period. At
the end of the overtime portion of the period, a horn or bell will sound twice to termi-
nate the period. When the sounding twice of the second horn or bell is either untimely
or not heard by the players or Umpires, the period ends at 7 minutes and 30 seconds
expired on the official clock, unless it is the final regulation period, and it ends earlier
pursuant to subsection (2) below. A goal scored after time has expired on the official
clock does not count, even if it is before the second horn or bell sounds and before the
Umpires blow their whistles, except in the circumstances described below:
(i) A ball hit prior to the second bell or horn, and prior to the Umpires’ whistle(s)
officially ending the period, may count as a goal if it is not touched by an opponent
or a teammate of the player hitting the ball and it rolls or flies between the goal
posts (a “Buzzer-Beater”).
(ii) Prior to the final period, should any player on either team touch a potential
Buzzer-Beater with his or her mallet, body or horse, a whistle will be blown, the
ball will be considered dead at the spot where it was at the time of the whistle, and
the period will end as it normally would.
(iii) Should a foul occur after a potential Buzzer-Beater is hit and while it is in
motion, a whistle will be blown and a penalty, if any, will be called. In this case,
the ball is considered “live” and any penalty resulting from the call will be exacted
at the beginning of the next period.
(iv) In the final period, and in any overtime periods, should a foul occur while a
potential Buzzer-Beater is “live” but after the period would otherwise end, the
penalty will be exacted immediately, and 5 seconds will be added to the clock for
execution of the penalty.
Should there be an electronic malfunction of the official clock or a situation where
the official clock does not start and/or stop in accordance with the play on the field
the Umpires shall have final authority to correct the official time and shall direct the
Timekeeper and/or Scorer to make any necessary adjustments to the official clock.
Outdoor Rule 22.e(4) (Buzzer-Beater version):
(4) After the Umpire stops the game while the ball is on the playing field, and no
Penalty is awarded, play shall resume by a throw-in from the point where the ball was
considered dead toward the nearer side boards or side lines. In the event this point
does not allow sufficient room for the teams to line up on the field, the Umpire shall
throw the ball in, in the same manner, from the nearest point that allows it. When the
Buzzer-Beater Optional Tournament Condition is in effect, and play is stopped at the
end of a period but no penalty is awarded, play shall resume, if appropriate, taking into
consideration where any potential buzzer beater was touched or came to rest, either
with a knock-in, change of possession, throw-in at the resting point, or throw-in at the
center line if a buzzer beater scored a goal.
]]>Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:23:22 GMThttp://www.dfwpolo.com/tournament-conditions-and-variances/dfw-polo-htc-tournament-conditions-and-variancesHTC has applied the following four optional tournament conditions and variances for 2024:
Optional Tournament Condition for Fair Play Possession
Optional Tournament Condition For USPA Outdoor Rule 2.a
Buzzer Beater Variance
Optional Tournament Condition for USPA Outdoor Rule 26A ,RULE 26A – IMPROPER BLOCKING ​

IX. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR FAIR PLAY POSSESSION
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may direct
the Umpires employ the “undefended possession play” or “fair play possession” as
described below:
Notwithstanding USPA Outdoor Rules 21.l, 22.e, and 22.e(4), which remain in force,
if the Umpire or Umpires stop play due to an inadvertent whistle, a damaged or buried
ball, a fallen or injured Umpire, player or horse, or some other perceived emergency or
unexpected event, and the team in possession of the ball is significantly disadvantaged
by the interruption of play, to be determined by the Umpires in their discretion, the team
in possession of the ball when one of the events described above shall retain possession
of the ball through a “possession play” as follows:
(a) If play is stopped when the ball is between the two 60-yard lines, the free hit will
be taken from the point where the ball was when play was stopped.
(b) If play is stopped when the ball is on or inside the 60-yard line and the free hit is
awarded to the attacking team, the free hit will be taken from a spot 60 yards from
the end line opposite where the ball was when play was stopped, but no more than 40
yards from the center of the 60-yard line.
(c) If play is stopped when the ball is on or inside the 60-yard line and the free hit is
awarded to the defending team, the free hit will be taken from rom the point where
the ball was when play was stopped.
(d) In each of the situations described above, the team granted possession is free to
position themselves anywhere on or off the playing field. All members of the other
team who are not off the field or returning to their proper position must be behind the
30-yard line until the ball is hit or hit at.
(e) The Umpire shall count 8 seconds and drop a ball at the appropriate spot, and a
member of the team awarded possession shall have 5 seconds to play the ball.
(f) If the ball is placed anywhere other than on the 60-yard line as described in
subparagraph (b) above, the team may play the ball by hitting away or tapping the ball.
(g) If the ball is placed on the 60-yard line as described in subparagraph (b) above, the
team may only play the ball by hitting to goal or to a teammate, but not by tapping.

XIV. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE 2.a
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may employ
and direct the Umpires to employ the version of USPA Outdoor Rule 2 set forth below:
RULE 2- PLAYERS
a. No player shall play in any Event for more than one team, except that, with notice
to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may designate a
handicap range (for example, 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-goals) containing players who may
be excepted under the circumstances described below:
(i) During preliminary play (i.e., non-elimination games), if a player within
the designated handicap range is injured or becomes ill during a game, a player
competing in the Event of equal or lesser handicap to the injured or ill player
may substitute only for the remainder of that game. For all subsequent games
in the Event only eligible substitutes may be used.
(ii) After preliminary play, if a player within the designated handicap range
is injured or ill and cannot start or becomes injured in a game, an eliminated
player of equal or lesser handicap may substitute for the injured or ill player
for the remainder of the game and/or Event. An eliminated player is a player
who has completed his or her final game in the Event and whose team has been
eliminated from the Event. The substitute is not eligible to compete for any
other team in the Event.

XV. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE 14.b (the “Buzzer–Beater”)
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may employ
and direct the Umpires to employ the versions of USPA Outdoor Rule 14.b and Outdoor
Rule 22.e(4) set forth below:
Outdoor Rule 14.b (Buzzer-Beater version):
b. In each period of the game, at the end of 7 minutes of elapsed time, a single horn or
bell will sound to indicate that up to 30 seconds of overtime remain in the period. At
the end of the overtime portion of the period, a horn or bell will sound twice to terminate
the period. When the sounding twice of the second horn or bell is either untimely
or not heard by the players or Umpires, the period ends at 7 minutes and 30 seconds
expired on the official clock, unless it is the final regulation period, and it ends earlier
pursuant to subsection (2) below. A goal scored after time has expired on the official
clock does not count, even if it is before the second horn or bell sounds and before the
Umpires blow their whistles, except in the circumstances described below:
(i) A ball hit prior to the second bell or horn, and prior to the Umpires’ whistle(s)
officially ending the period, may count as a goal if it is not touched by an opponent
or a teammate of the player hitting the ball and it rolls or flies between the goal
posts (a “Buzzer-Beater”).
(ii) Prior to the final period, should any player on either team touch a potential
Buzzer-Beater with his or her mallet, body or horse, a whistle will be blown, the
ball will be considered dead at the spot where it was at the time of the whistle, and
the period will end as it normally would.
(iii) Should a foul occur after a potential Buzzer-Beater is hit and while it is in
motion, a whistle will be blown and a penalty, if any, will be called. In this case,
the ball is considered “live” and any penalty resulting from the call will be exacted
at the beginning of the next period.
(iv) In the final period, and in any overtime periods, should a foul occur while a
potential Buzzer-Beater is “live” but after the period would otherwise end, the
penalty will be exacted immediately, and 5 seconds will be added to the clock for
execution of the penalty.
Should there be an electronic malfunction of the official clock or a situation where
the official clock does not start and/or stop in accordance with the play on the field
the Umpires shall have final authority to correct the official time and shall direct the
Timekeeper and/or Scorer to make any necessary adjustments to the official clock.
 Outdoor Rule 22.e(4)  (Buzzer-Beater version):
(4) After the Umpire stops the game while the ball is on the playing field, and no
Penalty is awarded, play shall resume by a throw-in from the point where the ball was
considered dead toward the nearer side boards or side lines. In the event this point
does not allow sufficient room for the teams to line up on the field, the Umpire shall
throw the ball in, in the same manner, from the nearest point that allows it. When the
Buzzer-Beater Optional Tournament Condition is in effect, and play is stopped at
the end of a period but no penalty is awarded, play shall resume, if appropriate,
taking into consideration where any potential buzzer beater was touched or came
to rest, either with a knock-in, change of possession, throw-in at the resting point,
or throw-in at the center line if a buzzer beater scored a goal.

XIII. OPTIONAL TOURNAMENT CONDITION FOR USPA OUTDOOR RULE 26A
With notice to the teams before the Draw, the Host Tournament Committee may direct
the Umpires to employ the version of USPA Outdoor Rule 26A set forth below:
RULE 26A – 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 player’s teammate who has a play on the ball (i.e., set a pick 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 Possession as
in USPA Tournament Condition IX.]]>