The attached video shows a leaning/loose pole at our last competition. This is the beginning of the match with the starting center flags in the neutral position. The leaning and loose swinging of the pole cause most attempt to turn the middle and upper flags to flip all the way back against us. In the video you can clearly see the pole at rest leaning toward red, then swing forward and back causing the weight of the flags to swing them back against us. This does no occur coming from the other side, in fact, just a glancing hit would turn the flag from the other side.
Does this inequity constitute a field malfunction and justify a reply (assuming it was match affecting)? If so, is it permitted to request that poles be straightened and/or better secured before a match?
Thank you-