How to Play > Glossary
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APA
American Polocrosse Association. The officially sanctioned organization for Polocrosse in the United States of America under the International Polocrosse Council.
Attack Player
A reference made to the No. 1 player who is the only player allowed to score goals. Plays mid-field and into his goal scoring area.
Center Line
An imaginary line through the middle of your horse from the poll to the base of the tail. You may not cross this line with your racquet while in possession of the ball..
Check
The action of reining in your horse to avoid a dangerous situation with another player's horse.
Chukka
The name for a time period during a Polocrosse rally. Usually 6 to 8 minutes in length.
Carry Over
1. Traveling over the 30 yd penalty line with the ball in the racquet. 2. The action of a player who crosses racquet and ball over the centre line of horse.
Dangerous Riding
Player intercepting another player's line of travel, resulting in a dangerous situation.
Dangerous/Illegal Swing
A swing at an opponent's racquet at which the umpire deems dangerous and may or could result in player harm.
Defense Player
A reference to the No. 3 player who tries to stop the No. 1 player of the opposing team from scoring goals. Plays mid-field area and into his goal defense area.
Back Line
The end boundary line of the field.
Flat Swing
An illegal swing at an opponent's racquet that is not horizontal.
Free Throw
A throw to restart play. Awarded to a player whose team has been fouled, or after a missed goal attempt. After the umpire marks the spot he wishes the ball to be thrown from, it must travel 10 yards in any direction to a team-mate or be retrieved by the throwing player after it has contacted the ground. Sometimes referred to as a "Penalty Throw."
Free Goal
A goal awarded to a team which has been fouled. Common uses, dangerous riding/dangerous swing.
Giving Wood
Upward swing at an opponent's racquet to dislodge the ball.
Goal Scoring Area
The areas at both ends of the Polocrosse field where goals are scored. Sometimes referred to as "areas" and or "end zones." They measure 30 yards long by 60 yards wide.
Goal Scoring Judge
A person designated to stand behind the goal posts to determine if a shot for a goal goes between the goal posts (at any height) and if No. 1 threw the ball before crossing or touching the "11 yard circle."
Hit Down
When an opponent fouls by swinging downward with their racquet instead of upward to dislodge the ball out of the racquet.
International Test Match
Official international polocrosse competition between two teams.
IPC
International Polocrosse Council.
Line of the Ball
This refers to the direction the ball is traveling. The player closest to the ball, riding in the direction it is traveling and at the least angle to it, has the "line of the ball."
Line Up
When opposing teams line up side by side facing the umpire, who throws the ball between them to start play. Similar to the line out in Rugby Union.
Line up T
A "T" shaped mark located in the middle of the "centre field" area and 5 yards from the sidelines. This is where players begin each game and where play commences after each goal is scored.
Loose Bandage
When a horses protective bandages becomes loose.
Mid Field
The part of a Polocrosse field that is in between the two goal scoring areas. It measures 100 yards long by 60 yards wide.
Mid Field Player
A reference made to the No. 2 player that is only allowed to play in the mid-field area. Sometimes called "Center Field," from 30 yd. line to 30 yd. line.
Penalty Line
The line that separates the Goal Scoring Area from the Centre Field Area. No player can cross these lines while carrying the ball or a penalty occurs. Sometimes referred to as the "Line" or "30 Yard penalty line".
Racquet
Stick that carries the ball.
Racquet/Stick Side
The side where the ball is carried in the racquet. Right side for right-handers and left side for left-handers.
Riding Off
When a player rides parallel beside an opponent's horse in an attempt to direct his line of travel without creating a dangerous situation.
Sent Off
When an umpire deems a player has made a serious foul sending the player from the field for a portion or all of the remaining game time.
Side Line
The side boundary line of the field.
Time Keeper
A person appointed by the umpire to time chukkas and record the score.
Time Off
When the clock is stopped by the umpire.
Throw In
When the umpire faces the players and throws the ball in between them at about shoulder height to commence play.
USEF
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
USPC
United States Pony Club.
Wedging
Also known as sandwiching - Two players wedging a third player between them so as to cause a dangerous situation.
10 Yard Rule
Refers to the taking of a "free throw" wherein no player is allowed to position themselves any closer than 10 yards from the point where the umpire marks the spot for restart of play after a foul has been committed or after a missed goal attempt.
11 Yard Circle
An 11 yard semi-circle that is located in front of the goal posts. Any attempt at scoring a goal, must be made from outside this circle.
30 Yard penalty line
The same as the "Penalty Line".
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