A polo match consists of two teams on horseback whose objective is to score as many goals as possible within the time limit of the game. The sport of polo can take some time to understand if you are new to the game. Many of the rules for polo aim to avoid accidents.
Playing Field
The playing field is 300 yards long by 160 yards wide, according to Hickok Sports. There is a goal at the farthest end of each side of the length of the playing field. The goal consists of two posts that are 8 yards apart and at least 10 feet high. Each polo team consists of four players, according to Sport All Sport. Players each have a number to indicate their specialty. Player No. 1 is the chief attacker and player No. 4 guards the goal posts. The player at No. 2 begins the offensive of each play by taking the ball or receiving a pass from the goalie. No. 3 plays offense and defense by participating in offensive passing combinations and by intercepting the opponents’ attempts at scoring a goal.
Game Play
A polo game begins with each team facing each other from opposite ends of the "T" marking at midfield. The umpire stands at least 5 yards away from the “T“ position, according to Hickok Sports, and rolls the ball between the teams for players to compete for possession. A polo game consists of six periods, or chukkers, according to Sport All Sport. Each chukker is seven minutes long. There is a three-minute intermission between chukkers and a five-minute intermission at halftime. Teams switch position on the playing field after halftime.
Right of Way
Right of way rules help protect the players and their ponies from accidents, according to Hickok Sports. The player who last hit the ball has the right of way over any member of the opposing team. A player must follow the trajectory of the ball with the ball to his right side in order to maintain the right of way. A foul occurs if a player crosses another player's right of way. Players must swing the mallet with their right hand, but may not reach under or in front of a pony to hit the ball. Hitting the ball toward the legs of an opponent's pony is also a foul. A pony can only play for two chukkas during a game and must rest for at least one chukka between its two allotted chukkas.
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