HANDICAPPED

POLO PLAYER HANDICAP RATINGS
Polo Players are rated yearly by their peers in the NPF on a scale of -2 to 10 goals. All players, male and female, are rated under the same handicap system.
The term “goal” does not refer to how many goals the player will score in a match but indicates the player’s value to the team.
Player handicaps range from “Novice” to “Perfect” (10 goal). Often the letters “A”, “B”, and “C” are used instead of the numerical values (0, -1, -2).
• About two-thirds of the NPF rated players carry a rating of 2 goals or less.
• Only a small number of players advance beyond 3 goals.
• A rating of 2 goals and above usually indicates a professional player.
KEEPING THE GAME FAIR
Each year in August, polo club player lists are distributed to each club delegate for their recommendations on their polo players. The recommendations are forwarded to the circuit handicap committee, compiled, and distributed to the National Handicap Committee.
This process allows input from many sources, and reduces the influence of personal preferences. The final handicaps are awarded after a thorough review by the National Handicap Committee in October.
THE MONSTER RULE
The review of any handicap may be requested at any time by any Circuit Governor, any member of a Circuit Handicap Committee, or any member of the National Handicap Committee.
NPF Bylaws (section Handicaps) empower the Chairman of the Association or the National Handicap Committee with the authority to change a player handicap at any time if deemed necessary.
This usually occurs when a player is playing two goals or better above their handicap and is referred to as “The Monster Rule”.
The Monster Rule has been incorporated into the handicap guidelines. To implement this rule, a two-thirds vote of those who have seen the member play is required.
EXAMPLES BY HANDICAP RATING
-2 GOAL PLAYER “C”
Rules: This player is beginning to develop an understanding of the rules for “Right Of Way” and “Line Of Ball”. This person usually has minimal understanding of NPF rules.
Horsemanship:
Player has beginner or better riding skills.
Playing Skills:
Player can execute offside shots some of the time.
a. Offensive: Player will assist with offensive plays some of the time.
b. Defensive: Player shall possess ability to execute “hooks” some of the time.
Position Knowledge: Player has minimal position experience.
Teamwork:
Player requires direction in order to properly positioned for “throw-ins”, “knock-ins”, and “penalties” in accordance with the team plan. Player shall not verbally abuse teammates, umpires or opponents and shall demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
Strategy: Player has some understanding of the “basic game strategy.”
Ponies: In match play, player should own, lease or control an adequate number of ponies whose athletic ability and game experience are equal to or greater than said players handicap.
-1 GOAL PLAYER “B”
Rules:
Player shall have a moderate understanding of the rules of the game as published from time to time by the NPF.
Horsemanship:
Player should have beginner to intermediate riding skills and be capable of playing in a relatively safe manner, most of the time.
Playing Skills:
Player shall have the ability to execute some of the shots some of the time in a satisfactory manner.
a. Offensive: Player shall possess the ability to assist in offensive plays from the end-line, “throw-ins”, turnovers, and passing.
b. Defensive: Player shall possess the ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”, and “hooks” some of the time.
Position Knowledge:
Player shall have some match experience at one or more positions.
Teamwork:
Player is learning to visually survey the field so as to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Player will usually require some direction in order to be properly positioned for all “throw-ins”, “knock-ins”, and “penalties” in accordance with the team plan. Player shall not verbally abuse teammates, umpires or opponents and shall demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
Strategy:
Player should possess minimal understanding of some game strategies.
Ponies: In match play, player should own, lease or control an adequate number of ponies whose athletic ability and game experience are equal to or greater than said players handicap.
0 GOAL PLAYER “A”
Rules: Player shall have a good understanding of the rules of the game as published from time to time by the NPF and shall have participated successfully in umpiring up to 2 goal matches.
Horsemanship:
Player shall have intermediate or better riding skills and be capable of playing in a safe manner, under control most of the time.
Playing Skills:
Player shall have the ability to execute most of the shots most of the time in a satisfactory manner, and occasionally be able to turn and/or dribble the ball without fouling.
a. Offensive: Player shall possess ability to initiate offense plays from the “throw-ins”, turnovers, and passing.
b. Defensive: Player shall possess ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”, “hooks”, and shall be able to turn the play from defense to offense without incurring a penalty most of the time.
Position Knowledge:
Player shall have experience at 2 or more positions and shall possess a clear understanding of those positions.
Teamwork:
Player is learning to survey the field visually with the intent to pass to the open player, to defend an uncovered offensive player, to assist a teammate in trouble, or to anticipate advantageous positioning. Player should not exclaim “leave it”, “take the man”, etc., unless such instructions are truly critical. Player shall be on time for all “throw-ins”, “knock-ins”, and penalties and shall be properly positioned at all times in accordance with the team plan. Player shall not verbally abuse teammates, umpires, or opponents and shall demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
Strategy:
Player shall possess minimal understanding and have minimal experience in planning and implementation of various game strategies, including the ability to position teammates, schedule ponies, and select plays in the most effective manner.
Ponies:
In match play, player should own, lease or control and adequate number of ponies whose athletic ability and game experience are equal to or greater than said players handicap.
1 GOAL PLAYER
Rules: Player shall have a clear understanding of the rules of the game as published from time to time by the NPA and shall have participated successfully in umpiring up to 4 goal matches and shall be able to verbally explain and demonstrate the rules of play to others.
Horsemanship:
Player shall have intermediate or better riding skills and be capable of playing in a safe manner, under control most of the time.
Playing Skills:
Player shall have the ability to execute most of the shots, a majority of the time in a satisfactory manner, including the ability to “turn the ball” and “dribble” in a 30 meter circle most of the time.
a. Offensive: Player shall possess the ability to initiate offensive plays form the end-line, throw-ins, turnovers and passing.
b. Defensive: Player shall possess the ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”, “hooks”, and “blocks”, and will usually be able to turn the play from defense to offense without incurring a penalty.
Position Knowledge:
Player shall have experience at 2 or more positions and shall possess a clear understanding of those positions.
Teamwork:
Player shall routinely survey the field visually with the intent to pass to the open player, to defend an uncovered offensive player, to assist a teammate in trouble, or to anticipate advantageous positioning. Player should not exclaim “leave it”, “take the man”, etc., unless such instructions are truly critical. Player shall be on time for all “throw-ins”, “knock-ins”, and penalties and shall be properly positioned at all times in accordance with the team plan. Player shall not verbally abuse teammates, umpires, or opponents and shall demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
Strategy: Player will usually have minimal understanding and minimal experience in planning and implementation of various game strategies, including the ability to position teammates, schedule ponies, and select plays in the most effective manner.
Ponies: In match play, player should own, lease or control an adequate number of ponies whose athletic ability and game experience are equal to or greater than said players handicap.
2-9 GOAL PLAYER
A rating of 2 goals and above usually indicates a professional polo player.
Rules: Player shall have a clear understanding of the rules of the game as published from time to time by the NPF, and shall have participated successfully in umpiring up to 8 goal matches and shall be able to verbally explain and physically demonstrate the rules of play to others.
Horsemanship:
Player shall have advanced riding skills and be capable of playing in a safe manner, under control most of the time.
Playing Skills:
Player shall have the ability to execute all shots, at will, in a satisfactory manner, including the ability to “turn the ball” and “dribble” in a 30 meter circle.
a. Offensive: Player shall possess the ability to initiate offensive plays from the end-line, throw-ins, turnovers, passing, and be counted upon to be successful on fifty percent (50%) or more of all penalties 2,3 and 4.
b. Defensive: Player shall possess the ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”, “hooks”, and “blocks”, and shall be able to turn the play from defense to offense without incurring a penalty.
Position Knowledge:
Player shall have experience at all positions and shall possess a clear understanding of the responsibilities of each.
Teamwork:
Player shall routinely survey the field visually with the intent to pass to the open player to defend an uncovered offensive player, to assist a teammate in trouble, or to anticipate advantageous positioning. Player should not exclaim “leave it”, “take the man”, etc., unless such instructions are truly critical. Player shall be on time for all “throw-ins”, “knock-ins”, and penalties and shall be properly positioned at all times in accordance with the team plan. Player shall not verbally abuse teammates, umpires, or opponents and shall demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
Strategy: Player shall possess moderate understanding and have minimal experience in planning and implementation of various game strategies, including the ability to position teammates, schedule ponies, and select plays in the most effective manner.
Ponies:
In match play, player should own, lease or control an adequate number of ponies whose athletic ability and game experience are equal to or greater than said players handicap.
10 GOAL PLAYERS
This is the highest rating a polo player can achieve. A 10 goal player is considered to be perfect.