Racket Polo is a new sport created by Owen Ostbye and Leon Paulson-Vu of the USA in April 2023. The sport is a form of hockey played with rackets. The game is full contact. Use of body checking is encouraged to increase competition. Played in 3 7 minute quarters.

Equipment Required:
2 Tennis racket (One Racket Per Upfielder)
1 baseball glove (For Goalie)
1 set of hockey shin pads or baseball catchers shin guards (For Goalie)
1 baseball catchers chest protector (For Goalie)

THE BASICS

  • Game is played 3vs3
  • Game played with a tennis ball
  • 2 upfielders, 1 goalie per team
  • 3 periods, 7 minutes in length
  • This game is full contact
  • If a ball goes into either net, 1 point is scored for the opposing team.

Materials (Per Team)

  • 3 Tennis racket (One Racket for Each Player)
  • 2 Helmets of any type (1 For Each Upfielder)
  • 1 baseball glove (For Goalie)
  • 1 set of hockey shin pads or baseball catchers shin guards (For Goalie)
  • 1 baseball catchers chest protector (For Goalie)
  • 1 hockey goalie mask or catcher mask (For Goalie)

Rules

  • You may NOT touch the ball with your hands at anytime of live play
  • The only thing that can touch the ball is your racket and body (except for hands)
  • The ball carrier may not move around the court without dribbling
  • Dibbling happens when the ball carrier bounces the ball against the ground using their racket in 1 continuous motion
  • A maximum of 2 steps are allowed AFTER the ball has been picked up. The ball must be resting on the racket
  • When you shoot the ball you must be behind the shooter’s line.
  • Time stops every whistle
  • A whistle is blow to stop play when 1. A goal is scored, 2. A penalty is given, 3 at the end of a period.
  • Once a whistle has been blown, the play is dead. Even if it was accidental.

Penalties

  • Slashing: Hitting another player’s body with your racket.

Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court.

  • Carry: When the ball carrier moves around the court without dribbling the ball

Result: Opposing team ball, possession starts at the spot of carry

  • Touch: When the ball touches a players hand

Result: opposing team ball, possession starts at the spot of touch.

  • Flopping: 1. Obvious intent of making a play seem like a penalty should be called. 2. Faking an injury in an intent to draw a penalty.

Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court

  • Holding: Using 1 or both hands/arms to grab onto an opposing player’s body or jersey. Resulting in loss of movement.

Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court

  • Interference: Any for of contact that effects a Non ball carriers ability to move around the court freely

Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court

  • Illegal use of hands: When a player’s hand makes contact with a opposing players face, resulting in loss of vision.

Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court

  • Illegal use of racket: When a players racket hooks around a opposing player resulting in loss of movement

Result: 1 minute penalty, penalized player must be off the court

Major penalties

  • Charging: Sprinting at a player from more than 7 feet from a player and body checking them, making the player fall down.

Result: 2:30 second penalty, penalized player must be off the court.

  • Roughing: 1 player throws 1 or more punch at an opposing player.

Result: 2:30 second penalty, penalized player must be off the court.

  • Fighting: 2 or more players throw at least 1 punch at one another.

Results 2:30 second penalty, penalized players must be off the court.

Penalty Shots

  • Holding: when a player is on a breakaway and a opposing player intentionally grabs the other player in a attempt to slow the player down.

Result: 1 free shot from penalty line

  • Hooking: when a player is on a breakaway and a opposing player hooks their racket around the player on a breakaway, resulting in the player slowing down.

Result. 1 free shot from penalty line

Starting The Game

  • The ball will be placed on the center line
  • Both players facing off may have their rackets anywhere on THEIR side of the middle line
  • Neither player can be touching the ball until the starting whistle is blown
  • Once both players are lined up and the referee is ready. A whistle will be blown, signaling the start of the game

 

Note

This new sport was submitted by a visitor to the Topend Sports website. The description appears as originally provided, and any errors are likely those of the contributor. Many of these sports may be just ideas and have never been played. For any inquiries, please contact the sport's creator directly, as I do not retain their contact information.