The game: officials, time and scoring

9 rules

1. 4Umpires, referee, goal judges, timekeeper and scorer

   Who controls an AAP match, how official referees are registered, what the umpires may decide, and how the goal judges signal.

2. 6Common terms: foul, states of play, throw-in, offside

   What the AAP means by a foul, when the ball is in play, out of play or dead, how teams line up for a throw-in, and what offside is in Argentine polo.

3. 7Winning a match, goals and handicap

   The team with more goals wins; when a goal counts; what happens when a whistle and a goal come together; how handicap goals are given; and video review.

4. 8Duration of the match

   Seven-minute chukkas, up to eight for open tournaments and six for the rest, with three-minute intervals and a longer one at half time.

5. 9Unfinished match

   A match stopped for darkness or weather is resumed later exactly where it stopped.

6. 10Duration of chukkas, the bells and the clock

   How each chukka ends with the first and second bell, how the last chukka ends, when the clock stops, the mid-chukka pony change in low-goal and extra time after a tie.

7. 13Changing ends and wrong line-up

   Ends change after every goal, and at half time if no goal has been scored; play restarts at the centre within 25 seconds.

8. TablasHandicap tables

   Table 1 gives the start goals for shorter matches; Table 2 the extra goals when a higher-handicap substitute comes on.

9. DirectivasDirections to umpires

   How two umpires split the field, where they stand at restarts, how to throw in, call and apply penalties, and the AAP's explanation of crossing and possession.