SUMMER POLO

However good the commentator, if your guests have never seen polo then reading these notes beforehand will help their their enjoyment and understanding; previously published as INSTANT POLO and INSTANT (Summer) POLO.

o Biggest (300yd x 200yd) ground of any ball game (9 football pitches)
o One of the three fastest games in the world (others are squash & ice hockey)
o Oldest (about 1000 BC in Persia) ball game in the world
o Most addictive
o First match in England: 1869 on Hounslow Heath; now over 60 Clubs in UK
o Only game where half-goals appear on the scoreboard (handicapping system)
o All Players must play right-handed for safety reasons
o Spectators are encouraged to go on the ground at half-time (treading in) – at other times keep behind the safety line, polo balls are hard and fast!

Game Object : to score more goals than the other Team
(NB Ends are changed after each goal, there is no offside rule)

YOU WILL SEE

o One Timekeeper monitoring each period (chukka) of playing time; each should be 7 min 30 sec, usually elapsed time is more like 15 min allowing for stoppages due to Fouls
o Two Umpires (sometimes only one) administer the Rules; they wear shirts like pyjama jackets and carry objects like toilet-plungers (for retrieving balls)
o Two Goal Judges, they wave a flag to show a goal is scored
o Four Players a Team, often numbered 1 to 4 on their backs
o Four Chukkas a Match (usually); however a player’s handicap represents the number of goals they are worth to their team in a 6-chukka match (historical)!
o Seven virtual lines or marks parallel to the goal lines: at the centre of the ground and at 30, 40 and 60 yards from each goal line

Because of the speed of the game there are strict Rules to minimise danger and ensure fairness; both the play and the clock stop when a whistle is blown by an Umpire.

Basically, if you are following the exact "Line of the Ball" then you have "Right of Way" over everyone else. If that is infringed, then Penalty Hits may be awarded, or the decision may be "no foul" and the ball is then "thrown in" to restart play.

Players may "ride off" an opponent (shoulder to shoulder) but may not "sandwich" them and elbows must not be used.