The Game

Polo is very straightforward as a spectator sport. There are usually six periods (Chukkas) of seven minutes. There are four players in each team. The No. 1 and 2 are basically forwards. The No. 3 and 4 are equivalent to five-eight and back in Rugby. The players should mark their opposite number; that is the No. 4 should mark the No. 1, preventing him from scoring by hooking and riding off. There is no “offside” rule. The rules are common sense based on a player having the “right of way” in order to eliminate danger.

Therefore, no player shall play with his left hand. Play starts from a line up in the centre by one of the two umpires throwing the ball.

The team that scores the most goals wins. Behinds do not count. The umpires will award penalties depending upon the severity of the infringement. When a penalty I is given, a goal is signalled and a throw-in occurs 10 yards out from the penalized team’s goal mouth.

Penalty II = 30 yards free hit
Penalty III = 40 yards free hit
Penalty IV = 60 yards free hit
Penalty V(a) = free hit on the spot
Penalty V(b) = free hit from the middle of the ground

The essence of the game is team work.

The Rules Explained...

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HANDICAP:
All registered players are rated on a scale of -2 to 10 (the higher the better). The handicap of the team is the sum total rating of its players, and in handicap matches the team with the higher handicap gives the difference in ratings to the other team.

PONIES:

The best polo ponies are...

...of thoroughbred blood whose main qualities are heart, speed wind, stamina and the ability to accelerate, stop and turn quickly, and whose temperament is amenable to the rigours of the game.

There is no height limit for the horses, although most are between 15 and 15.3 hands. The age of a pony is generally between 5 and 15 years. Players concede the pony accounts for up to 80% of their game.

Download a PDF explaining the game.