Spongee polo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Spongee Polo, also known as Pillow Polo or Spolo for short, is a fast game reminiscent to field hockey, in which the sticks look like Q-tips, with soft Styrofoam heads, and a soft ball roughly the size of grapefruit is used. Spongee Polo is an underground sport growing in popularity. It has become very popular in Toledo, Ohio and has even been featured on BCSN( Buckeye Cable System Network), the local sports television station. The sport is played regularly at Maumee Valley Country Day School, in Toledo, Ohio. Twice a school year MV Sponsored Tournaments are featured on BCSN. The colors of the sticks designate the teams, typically yellow and blue. Spongee Polo is typically played in a basketball gymnasium (school) and not outside, but it can be played anywhere with goals.
[edit] Rules
The rules of the game are simple: For official tournament games two ten minute halves are played. The clock is continuous except in the case of an injury. If at the end of the two halves the score is tied than the game goes into two minute sudden death overtime. If no goal is scored, both teams will go into a shootout, where each side will alternately be given goal shots (from the free throw line). If both or neither teams makes a shot resulting in a goal, another round will commence. To be declared the winner, a team must make a shot resulting in a goal and the opposing team must fail to do so in the same round.
A goal is scored if contact is made between a live ball and the mat. A goal will only be counted if the ball was struck by the stick of any player. If the ball makes contact with the mat after being deflected by the stick or any body part of a defending player, it is considered a goal. If the ball makes contact with the mat after being deflected by any body part of an attacking player (considerably the foot, it is not considered a goal. Goals can be scored from anywhere on the court. A goalkeeper may not score by throwing the ball into the opposing goal. He or she may score by striking the ball with the stick. Any player on the court is allowed to kick the ball throughout the course of the match, but a player may not score by kicking the ball into the goal. Scoring is also not permitted from the throw of any penalty.
Substitutions may be made at any time during the game, provided that they do not interfere with the game. If a player touches a ball with his or her hand anywhere on the court or if the goal touches the ball with his or her hands outside the three point line, the offending team will lose possession of the ball. Players may not throw there sticks. Doing so will result in the removal of the offending player for one (1) minute.
While the goalkeeper is in possession of the ball he or she may be harassed but no contact with the goal keeper may be made. Doing so will result in the removal of the offending player for one (1) minute. If the ball is knocked forcibly out of the goalkeeper’s hands it will be considered a dead ball and will be returned to the goalkeeper. Use of excessive force (The definition of which will be determined by the referee) will result in the offending team losing possession of the ball. Further punishment may occur at the discretion of the referee up to and including ejection from the game. Ultimately, all decisions by the referee are final.
