Everything You Need to Know About Equipment & Facilities in Bike Polo
📘 This guide is based on Section 2 of the North American Hardcourt Bike Polo (NAH) Ruleset, the official standard used for tournaments across the continent.
🧍♀️ Players
Bike polo is played with three players per team in the traditional format, or five in the squad-style format. Squad teams can have a roster of six players and must declare five before each game.
Note: Quad style (four players per team) has been used at NAH tournaments since the last rule update. Rules for Quad are generally the same as for Squad unless otherwise noted.
Here’s what every player needs to know:
Helmets are mandatory and must be approved for sports use.
Teams must wear matching jerseys that contrast with their opponents. If there's a conflict, the team requesting the change is the one that changes.
Squad format teams may only use players declared before each game. The sixth, rostered player may not enter the court during that game.
Player communication is also tightly regulated:
You can only speak to the Referee during stoppages, to signal readiness, call a timeout, ask about game time or penalties, or if the Referee initiates a conversation.
Everyone must speak a shared language agreed on before the match. Misconduct for failing to do so can be penalized.
Captains have additional responsibilities. They can interact with the Referee during stoppages about subs, equipment, or other concerns, but only from inside the court.
If a player is injured or otherwise unable to play, substitutions are allowed under certain conditions. Tournaments allow appeals, but rules vary depending on whether you’re playing 3v3 or squad/quad format.
🏟️ Court Layout & Construction
Official bike polo courts have specific dimensions and features to ensure consistent play and safety:
Courts range in size from 120’ x 60’ to 155’ x 80’.
Perimeter boards must be at least 40” high. If shorter, special rules may be applied.
Courts must have two doors near the half-court line for players to serve penalties or make substitutions.
A 10-foot arc outside each door marks the player transition area.
Additional markings on the court include:
A line at half court, that runs across the surface and onto the vertical boards. This line is also used for jousts and for players to tap back in after dabbing.
The crease area in front of the goal (details below) and a goal line that spans the court's width.
🥅 Goals
Regulation bike polo goals aren’t just hockey nets or makeshift frames—they’re standardized to specific dimensions:
6 feet wide, 3 feet tall, and 2.5 feet deep.
Nets are required, as is a firm top crossbar.
The front of the goal must be aligned with the front of the goal line, which sits 10 to 15 feet away from the backboards.
Each goal includes three lines marked on the court:
The goal line connects the goalposts.
Two short lines extend back from each goalpost toward the boards, used to define the full goal area (in case the goal is moved during play).
🚲 Bicycles
To keep gameplay safe and fair, all bikes must meet basic requirements:
Every bike must have at least one hand-controlled brake (typically a front brake).
Handlebars must be plugged and can’t be longer than 13.75 inches from the center of the stem.
Racks, saddlebags, and other gear that might block the ball are not allowed. Wheel covers are allowed and disc rotor guards are required.
Bikes must be free of sharp edges or dangerous parts like exposed gears or protruding bolts. If something can be safely covered and approved by the Referee, it may be permitted.
🏑 Mallets
Mallets are just as tightly regulated as bikes:
The shaft must be made of metal or carbon fiber, with the end plugged and not sticking through the mallet head.
The head must be plastic, securely fastened, no longer than 6.5 inches, and meet diameter requirements.
Any mallet deemed unsafe—splintered, sharp, or fragile—won’t be allowed on the court.
🔴 The Ball
The ball used in bike polo has specific size and material requirements:
It must be 2.64 inches in diameter or smaller.
It should weigh 70 grams or less.
It must be hollow and made of a dense, climate-suitable material to ensure consistent play.
📏 Court Crease
The goal crease is a critical part of the court layout—it defines the protected area in front of the goal and determines where goalies and attackers can operate.
Here’s how it’s shaped:
The crease extends 11 feet (3.35m) in a semicircle from the center of the goal and goal line.
This semicircle is cropped to 4 feet (1.2m) from the outside edge of each goalpost.
The goal line runs the full width of the court and sits 10 to 15 feet (3.05m to 4.57m) from the back boards.
📸 See the diagram below for a visual representation of the crease.
Understanding the crease helps players know where they can move, when they’re in a scoring position, and what space is off-limits—especially in goal defense.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're adjusting your bike, assembling your team, or building your mallet, these equipment and facility guidelines keep everyone on the same page—safe, fair, and focused on the game.
📚 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 3, where we’ll break down tournaments and game format.
