WINTER 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 Arena POLO.

o The non-grass version of one of the three fastest games in the world (others are squash & ice hockey)
o Mainly played in an Arena on an all-weather surface; Snow Polo is played on ice (with a red ball)
o Newest (its Summer parent dates from about 1000 BC in Persia) ball game in the world
o Most addictive after polo itself
o First match in England within the last 20 years; now about 30 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 should keep behind the safety netting, polo balls are life highly-inflated miniature footballs amd travel fast and hard!

o Ideal size of arena is 100yd x 50yd
o Arenas are often floodlit and may be indoors
o Goal boxes are 10ft wide and 12ft high
o Goals are scored by the ball hitting the wall within the goal box
o Play is continuous after a goal is scored
o There is no offside rule

Game Object : to score more goals than the other Team
(NB Ends are changed after each Chukka)

YOU WILL SEE

o One Timekeeper monitoring each period (chukka) of playing time; each should be 6 min 30 sec, usually elapsed time is more like 11 min allowing for stoppages due to Fouls
o Two Umpires (one of whom is mounted) administer the Rules; they carry objects like lacrosse sticks (for retrieving balls)
o Three Players a Team, often numbered 1 to 3 on their backs (two Players a Team in small arenas)
o Four Chukkas a Match (usually); a Player’s "handicap" represents the number of goals they are worth to their team in a 4-chukka match. Even newbies have to play off "0".
o Five marks denoting lines parallel to the goal lines: at the centre of the ground and at 15 and 25 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.