Chapter 2: The Call and Response

FIMP Code of Competition & Technical Handbook · 2026–2029 Edition (in force from 1 January 2026)

Article 2.1: The Marco call

1. 2.1.1The Marco call shall consist of the two syllables “Mar-co”, spoken or sung, with the stress on the first syllable.
2. 2.1.2The call shall measure no less than 65 dB and no more than 95 dB at 1.000 m from the caller's mouth, as measured by the Acoustic Officials under Chapter 11.
3. 2.1.3The call shall last no longer than 1.4 seconds from the onset of the first syllable to the end of the second.
4. 2.1.4Calls shall be separated by at least 1.0 second. A call made less than 1.0 second after the end of the previous call is a Stacked Call and is void.
5. 2.1.5Variants such as “Marcooo”, “Mar-co-o” or a whispered call are not permitted. A whispered call is any call below 65 dB.
6. 2.1.6The Marco may not call any word other than “Marco” during a chukka, except “Tag” upon making a tag and “Fish!” under Article 8.1.4.

Article 2.2: The Polo response

1. 2.2.1Every evader in the water shall respond “Polo” to every valid Marco call.
2. 2.2.2The response shall begin within 0.6 seconds of the end of the Marco call (the Polo Window).
3. 2.2.3A response that begins after the Polo Window, or a failure to respond, is a Late Polo. Three Late Polos in one chukka shall be treated as a tag.
4. 2.2.4The Polo shall measure no less than 60 dB at 1.000 m. A mumbled, swallowed or underwater Polo is void.
5. 2.2.5An evader may not respond with any word other than “Polo”. Accepted national pronunciations are listed in Appendix B.
6. 2.2.6Two or more evaders may respond simultaneously. Deliberately synchronised responses intended to confuse the Marco (“choral Polo”) are permitted.

Article 2.3: Silence

1. 2.3.1Apart from the calls and responses permitted by this Code, athletes shall remain silent throughout the chukka.
2. 2.3.2Coughing, sneezing and involuntary sounds are not infractions. Repeated involuntary sounds may be reviewed by the Acoustic Officials.