A Guide to Referees and Officials in Bike Polo

📘 This guide is based on Section 1 of the North American Hardcourt Bike Polo (NAH) Ruleset, the official standard used for tournaments across the continent.

Who’s in Charge?

Ever wonder who makes the calls, keeps the time, and decides when it's time to blow the whistle in a game of bike polo? According to Section 1 of the official North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Association (NAHBPA) Ruleset, every match is overseen by a team of volunteers who ensure fair play, accurate timing, and on-court safety.

In this post, we’ll break down the roles of Referees, Officials, and Goal Judges—based directly on the latest NAH rules. After reading, you’ll understand exactly what all those whistles and hand signals mean.

🧑‍⚖️ The Referee: Ruler of the Court

The head Referee holds full authority over the game. That means everything from enforcing penalties to starting the clock is under their command. If a decision needs to be made, it’s their call—and it's final.

Referee Configurations

• One Referee? They’ll stand at the half-court line on the side of the court.

• Two Referees? They’ll either stand together on one side (to split on-ball and off-ball duties), or on opposite sides, each watching their half.

Before the match starts, one Referee is designated as the head Referee—and all players are made aware of who’s in charge.

Equipment Check

Before the game begins, the Ref checks every player’s gear to ensure it meets safety standards. If something breaks or becomes unsafe mid-game, the Ref can stop the match and won’t resume until it's resolved (no time-outs charged).

Game Tools

Every Ref is equipped with:

• A whistle to signal play stoppages and starts

• A stopwatch to keep track of time, if there’s no official timekeeper

Game Duties

• Start and stop the game per the rules

• Monitor player and equipment safety

• Signal dabs, penalties, and game events

• End the match with two long whistle blows

Hand Signals You’ll See

• Start of Play: Arm raised, then dropped with the whistle

• Restart of Play: Arm extended with palm up

• Penalty (with possession): Long whistle blow if the team with the ball commits a foul

• Delayed Penalty: Arm raised + shout “Advantage, [team name]” if the team without the ball commits a foul.

  • Some Refs use a cowbell or other sound for this

• Possession after Stoppage: Arm points to the team restarting play.

⏱️ The Official: Timekeeper & Scorekeeper

The Official is the backbone of the game clock and score sheet. Positioned near half court, they’re equipped with a stopwatch and pen and paper (or a game log sheet, if available).

What They Do

• Announce the time every 2–3 minutes and after goals

• Call out key time warnings (2 minutes, 90 seconds, 1 minute, 30 seconds, and the final 10-second countdown)

• Track every goal, penalty, and key event

• Control any visible scoreboard or timer (if available), though the official time is always on their watch

During penalties, the Official counts down the final 10 seconds before a player may re-enter the game.

🥅 Goal Judges: The Eyes Behind the Net

Each game includes two Goal Judges—one behind each goal or on the goal line on the opposite side of the court from the ref—helping ensure accuracy on critical calls near the crease.

Their Responsibilities

• Positioning: One for each goal, clearly marked as officials (not spectators)

• Goal Reset: If the goal moves during play, it’s their job to reset it—unless the court layout makes that impossible. In that case, the Ref will assign the task or ask players to self-correct.

• Assist the Ref: They can wave a flag or arm to indicate a possible penalty or infraction near the crease, but they only offer input—the Ref makes the final call.

Final Thoughts

Referees and officials are the unsung heroes of every bike polo match. They’re there to keep the game safe, fair, and fun.

So, the next time you line up your team or cheer from the sidelines, take a moment to appreciate the folks holding the whistle—they’re doing a whole lot more than you think.

📚 Want to Learn More?

This post is based on the official NAH Ruleset (2022 edition). For the full rulebook—including diagrams, additional referee responsibilities, and updates—visit:
👉 https://www.nahardcourt.com/rules/

Be sure to check for the latest version before officiating or organizing a match.

Next up: stay tuned for Section 2, where we’ll break down equipment & facilities.