A Guide to Polo

Two underlying concepts govern the game of polo.

Equipment and the Throw-in

The first is that polo is a team sport with each player filling a specific role and supporting the team effort on both offense and defense. The second is "the line of the ball." This is the imaginary line the ball creates as it travels from point A to point B. The line remains set until the ball is struck by a player, changes direction, and a new line is formed. A player may cross the line only when it does not create a hazardous

Polo Shots

situation such as a collision with another rider. Three umpires, two on horseback and one on the side of the field, oversee the game and enforce the rules. Infractions generally involve hazardous riding and dangerous use of the mallet.

Defensive Plays

When two players ride to the ball, both hoping to hit it, they must ride on either side of the line so that both will have access to the ball. They can only hit the ball to their right side, called the "off side." They must also remain on opposite sides of the line, thus minimizing the risk of collision.

Fouls

There are general rules covering everything from the size of the ball to the colors of the team shirts, and field rules setting regulations for actual playing situations. When a foul occurs the umpires can award anything from a free goal to a free hit from a distance determined by the severity of the foul.

Player Talk

Scoring is accomplished by putting the ball across the goal line between two goal posts 24 feet apart. There are 6 periods in a polo game, 7 minutes each, plus a 30-second overtime. Each period is called a "chukker." The brief periods are necessary due to the stress placed on polo ponies. Each player in high goal tournaments uses a fresh pony for each chukker. Should an overtime be required, a seventh mount may be called upon, or a player may go back to his best mount of the day. Three minutes are generally allowed between chukkers to change horses.

Indoor polo follows the same basic principles, but requires a different strategy due to the limited amount of space involved. The outdoor polo field is the area of 10 football fields. The indoor polo arena is only about 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. Three players instead of four are used on a team. All must be committed to the attack when the team is on offense, but they must be prepared to revert instantly to the defense if the play should turn to the other team. Close coordination is essential between horse and rider in indoor polo since they must constantly stop and go at high speed.

The pivotal player on the team is #3, as he must stem the opponent's offense, turn the play to the attack, and pass the ball upfield to his #2 and #1 player, as they turn to press the penetration toward the enemy goal.

The #1 player concentrates on opportunities for scoring, but also has the defensive responsibility for the opposing #3 player. The #2 team member supports #3 on the pivotal plays, turns quickly to follow the #1 player on attack, and harasses the opposing #2 player.

Outdoors the #4 player is primarily responsible for defending the team's goal. These assignments are not rigid, and each player must be prepared to make any play that will benefit his team, temporarily changing position as the pattern indicates.