The Basics of Polo
You don’t need to be a polo pro to attend our matches! Polo is an intense, action-packed sport that moves very quickly. But with a little bit of knowledge about the game, you’ll be following along in no time!
Basic Rules
A Polo game is played between two teams with four players on each side. The members are designated as “attack” or “defense” and each has the job of furthering their own goal count while preventing the other side from scoring. Most of the rules were established to keep the players and polo ponies safe. Teams line up, with players in numerical order 1-4, face to face, oppsite each other. The umpire begins the match with a throw-in, the ball is rolled between the teams, and play begins. Teams change ends after each goal is scored to account for any wind advantage which may exist.
Polo Ponies
Polo ponies are full-size horses, ranging in size from 14.2 to 15.3 hands high at the withers, (one hand equals four inches) and weigh between 900 and 1100 lbs. Many polo ponies are thoroughbreds or thoroughbred crosses or are from Argentina. They play for a maximum of two non-consecutive chukkers per match.
Time Periods
A polo match is approximately one and a half hours long and is divided into 7 ½ minute time periods called chukkers. There are six chukkers in a game. Sometimes the games are shortened to four chukkers for exhibition matches or to accommodate horse and rider needs. Breaks between chukkers are three minutes long, with a regulation 10 minute halftime. Often the halftime is longer for demonstrations or to allow for more fun during the divot stomp.
Polo Teams and Players
Four players are on each team. Each player wears a numbered jersey, one through four, which indicates their position and responsibilities on the field. All players are assigned a handicap. Handicaps go from -2 to 10 goals and are determind by club delegated and the United States Polo Association (USPA). In tournaments, there is a handicap level and the sum of all handicaps of the players much be equal to or lower than the highest level of the range for the tournament. For example, in an 8 goal tournament, the sum of all the players’ handicaps must be 8 or lower (e.g. one 0 goal player, two 2 goal players and one 4 goal player = 8). If a team enters the tournament and only has a team with a total handicap level of 7, that team starts with 1 point on the score board to begin the game. Thus, when referring to a player’s handicap, one says “I am 2 goals” and it does not mean they make 2 goals every game. There are only ten or so 10 goalers in the world. Players must hit right-handed for safety reasons.
Come. See. Play.
If you’re looking to benefit from polo classes & a team event led by experienced polo players, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Elk Grove Polo. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about team events. You can pay us a visit, use the contact form here on our website or call 847-894-0025 to find out more.
