The Rules of Polo

Object of the Game

The object of polo is to move a small plastic ball, which is 3 inches in diameter, down the field by hitting it with a 4 ½ foot mallet made out of a bamboo shaft with a hard wooden head. Players hit the ball with the side of the mallet head. The game starts with a “bowl-in” by the umpire. The teams line up at mid-field on their prospective sides, and the umpire rolls the ball down the alley created by the players. This bowl-in also occurs after every goal and to start each chukker, unless it is behind the end line. To score a goal, one must hit the ball between two goal posts which are 24 feet apart. After each goal, the teams switch directions so that no team is disadvantaged by wind direction or field imperfections. After six chukkers, if the game is tied, players will get a 10 minute break and return to the field for a sudden-death overtime chukker. The first team to score a goal wins

A game lasts

minutes played in

chukkers each

7.5

minutes with one

minute halftime

Terms & Definitions

Handicap

A player’s rating or handicap is based on their riding, hitting, quality of horses, and ability to strategize. The handicap systems works on a scale of -2 goals (complete beginner) all the way up to 10 goals (perfect). Teams play teams of the same or similar handicap. If a team’s total handicap is higher than their opponent’s, they will award that team a number of goals to make up the difference

Line of the Ball

When the ball is hit by a player, an imaginary line is established in the direction that the ball is traveling, and this line serves a similar purpose as the line that divides the highway. It establishes a right of way for the players and helps to keep polo as safe as possible. When a player hits the ball and follows its path, he or she has established their right of way, and their right to hit the ball. Other players must respect that right of way and not cross in front of the rider making a play on the ball. Other players on the field can “steal” the right of way.

Riding the Player Off

One way to steal a player’s right of way is referred to as a “riding off”. Riding a player off means to ride along side the player and bump them off of the line using the power of ones horse. This is a completely legal move when done properly and is seen frequently in polo. You must be traveling at the same speed and meet shoulder to shoulder in order to make it as safe as possible.

Offside & Nearside

There are two main categories of strokes; the nearside and the offside. Offside shots are the most common. This is when a player hits the ball from the right side of the horse. Nearside shots are taken from the left side of the horse, and are considered more difficult than the offside shot. On both sides a player can hit the ball forward, backward, under the horse’s neck, under the horse’s tail, and an open shot both forward and backward.

Positions

The four players on each team have numbered positions (1-4), which represent their role on the team. The number one player is usually out in front of the play and is mainly responsible for scoring the teams goals. The number two player must be fast and aggressive to help move the ball up the field. The number three player is similar to a quarterback in that they make the plays and hit long balls up to the front. The number four is a defensive back position These players may shift all around the field and even switch roles during the game.

Umpires

There are two mounted officials on the field called umpires, who help keep the game fair and safe. There is a third umpire, called a third man, who sits near midfield and serves as a tie-breaker if the two mounted officials are in disagreement on a certain call. There are also 2 “goal judges” who help the umpires determine whether or not a goal is scored or if the ball goes out of bounds

Bowl In

A bowl in is when the umpire starts or resumes a polo match by rolling the ball down the center of a lineup of players, also known as a throw in.

Ponies

The horses used in polo are often referred to as ‘ponies’, but they are full grown horses. Polo ponies are usually thoroughbreds because of their speed, endurance, and intelligence. Polo ponies must be agile, fast, have great stamina, and be highly intelligent to play polo.

Chukker

A polo match is divided into six time periods called chukkers. A chukker is seven and a half minutes long. After each chukker is a four minute break for players to switch their ponies. After the third chukker, there is a ten minute half time.

Fouls & Plays

Polo player hooking a opponent's mallet above shoulder height

High Hook | Foul

A high hook is when a player’s mallet is hooked above shoulder height. He or she may not reach over or under any part of the other player’s pony in the process of the hook.

Polo players of opposing teams ride towards each other

Riding to Meet | Play

Riding to meet the ball occurs when two players converge on the ball riding in opposite directions on either side of the line. Two players riding toward a ball must both give way to the left and take the ball on the right side.

A polo player getting sandwiched by two opposing players

Illegal Bumping | Foul

It is necessary for a player to come parallel, at the same speed and meet shoulder to shoulder before riding him off. An illegal bump is any ride-off that occurs and creates danger for the horse and/or rider.

A polo player hitting the ball from under the horse's neck

Neck Shot | Play

When a player hits the ball under the horse’s neck at a 90 degree angle from both the offside and the nearside. This is a difficult shot because of the timing involved in order to avoid the horse’s front legs.

A polo player hitting the ball backwards from under the horse's tail

Tail Shot | Play

An angled back shot taken under the horse’s tail. This shot is difficult because of how far back one must hit the ball in order to accomplish the proper angle. The tail shot can be taken on both the offside and the nearside, although the nearside is much more difficult and requires a bit of flexibility.

Turning the Ball | Foul

The turning rule states that once a player establishes the line of the ball, if another player is following close behind them on that line, the first player may not turn the ball creating a dangerous situation.

A polo player hooking the mallet of a opposing player

Hook | Play

A player can win the right of way on the ball by “hooking” the other player’s mallet. Hooking mallets is a legal move where one player uses his or her mallet to block the swing of another player’s mallet. One must be behind the opponents horse, or on the side that the mallet is being swung, and one must wait until the mallet is in a downwards motion.

A polo player hitting a bouncing ball far from the horse

OPEN SHOTS | Play

A variation on the straight forward and backward shot. An offside open shot is intentionally directed to the right, while a nearside open shot is directed more toward the left. This shot is difficult due to the ball placement at the bottom of the swing. In order to get the ball to open up, the player must hit the ball later and slightly farther from the horse, while opening the angle of the mallet.