The 5 most important rules every new bike polo player needs to know

So you’ve found your local bike polo club, maybe even played your first game or two. People have explained some of the rules but you’re still unclear about the ins-and-outs of the game. Here are 5 of the most important gameplay rules every new bike polo player needs to know.

1. If you “dab” you gotta tap back in

What the heck is a dab, you ask? Dabbing is when you put your foot on the ground or use something other than your bike or mallet to keep your balance and not fall.

You’re “dabbed” if you put your foot or hand on a horizontal surface, such as the ground or the top of the goal. Leaning on the goal with your body so you don’t lose your balance is also considered dabbing.

If you’re “dabbed” you can no longer touch the ball or be part of the gameplay until you tap the boards with your mallet at half-court.

As a dabbed player, it’s your responsibility to stay out of the other players’ way, as best you can, so you don’t interfere with the game until you tap back in. After you tap back in, you can then rejoin gameplay immediately.

2. It isn’t a goal if you shuffle or scoop it in

For a shot to count as a goal in bike polo, you have to strike the ball with the capped or opened end of the mallet, not the broadside.

If you hit the ball with the broadside into the opponent’s net, it’s called a “shuffle” and the goal won’t count. Also, if you scoop or throw the ball with the mallet’s opened end into the net, it doesn’t count as a goal.

Other than when you’re shooting, you can maneuver and control the ball any way you want. You can shuffle or scoop the ball to pass to your team, strike it on the capped or opened end, whatever works!

3. Don’t run into other people

This might seem obvious but let’s just make it explicit: you can’t run into people with your bike. Why? Because it interferes with their ability to play the game and could result in injury.

It’s considered a foul if you carry momentum into another person with your front or back wheel or from the side with your handlebars (or any other part of your bike).

It’s your responsibility to be in control of your own bike, body, and mallet.

With that said, some “incidental” bike-on-bike action is a normal part of the game. For example, if your front wheel touches or bumps another player’s bike but doesn’t interfere with their ability to engage in the game or damage their equipment, you’re most likely good.

4. Stay in control of your mallet

Your mallet is how you maneuver and shoot the ball when playing. And while you use it in order to play the ball, you need to be extra careful it doesn’t get hung-up on another player’s bike or body.

A couple of mallet rules:

• Keep your mallet below your and other player’s handlebars. Other than normal, safe windup and follow through when shooting the ball, your mallet should be kept low. You’re responsible for where your mallet is and ends up. No one wants to get hit in the face, hand, or body with a mallet.
• Don’t “slash” other people’s mallets. While you can and SHOULD try to steal the ball from the opposite team, and you CAN touch and interfere with the ball carrier’s mallet, you need to maintain control. Don’t just swing wildly at the ball or the other player’s mallet with excessive force, people are going to get bent out of shape REAL fast if you damage their equipment.
• Don’t jam other people’s wheels with your mallet. It is illegal to put your mallet under the wheels of other players and is called “jamming” (see gif above). Jamming usually results in the other person crashing or dabbing because your mallet stops their wheel suddenly and unexpectedly. Keep your mallet away from other people’s wheels.

5. Be kind and have fun

Before bike polo had an official rule book we had one important tenet: “don’t be a dick.” At its heart, this out-dated phrase was meant to emphasize that people matter more than winning.

Bike polo isn’t worth doing if we all aren’t having fun. But fun requires that we respect other people on and off the court.

To make this a safe and inclusive environment means everyone needs to contribute and take responsibility for their behavior and words. Good sportsmanship, safe play, respect, and kindness will make sure everyone can enjoy the sport of bike polo.

Now that you know the basics, feel free to dig in and read more! You can learn more about the rules of bike polo by visiting the NAHBPA Rules Handbook.

Photos and gifs by Jennifer Spencer.