Polo For The Spectator - An Insight Into The Rules
What makes polo such a special spectator sport is that you don't
have to be familiar with the rules, allowing you to take in the
thrill and excitement of one of the fastest team sports in the
world. The following information is designed to give you an insight
into the finer parts of the game of polo.
The Game
The aim of the game is to score more goals than your opposing
team! Play starts initially, and after each goal, with an umpire
throwing the ball among the players in the middle of the ground.
Ends are changed after each goal – this has been found to
be the fairest way for teams not to be disadvantaged by wind or
slopes on the pitch! When the ball goes out of play over the sides
of the ground, teams line up side by side five yards back and
the ball is thrown in.
If the ball crosses the back line, being last touched by the
attacking team, the defending team takes a free hit from where
the ball crossed the line. Should the defending team hit the ball
over the back line a penalty is called and the attacking team
is given a free hit from the 60 yard line opposite where the ball
went out. There is no 'corner' or offside as in football.
The Ground
The ground is 300 yards long (274m) long and 200m (182m) wide,
or if there are boards down the side (to help keep the ball in
play) then 160 yards 182 wide. The goal posts (collapsible on
severe impact for safety) are eight yards (7.3m) apart. There
is a line at the centre of the ground and penalty lines, 30, 40
and 60 yards from each back line. A polo ground is roughly the
size of 6 football pitches!
Duration of Play
The game is played over four, five or six periods of 7 minutes
each which are called by the Indian name “Chukka”.
At the end of the Chukka the first bell is rung, but play continues
until the ball goes out of play or the second bell is rung after
30 seconds.
Players and Officials
There are four players in each team, two mounted umpires on the
ground and a referee in the stand, who acts as an arbiter in the
event of the umpires being unable to agree. There are also goal
judges who signal goals by the waving of a flag behind the goal.
Polo is very much a team game with each of the four players having
different roles, although like any team sport, these are interchangeable:
No. 1 Forward. The number 1 should have fast
ponies to quickly turn defence into attack, slip the opposing
back and with accurate rather than powerful hitting score goals.
No. 2 Forward basically. The number 2 should
be well mounted to mark the opposing number 3. In defence but
support his number 1 in attack.
No. 3 Similar to a centre half in football.
He controls the speed and direction of the game and usually his
passes to the forwards start an attack.
No. 4 Back. In defence the back should be able
to hit strong backhanders to his members of the team and in attack
likely to be seen somewhere behind waiting to snap up any chance
of loose balls that come his way.
Handicaps
Each player has a handicap from minus 2 up to 10, which reflects
his or her ability. There are currently less than twelve 10 goal
players in the World, most of whom are Argentine. The highest
handicapped English players are currently 7 goals.
In handicap tournaments the number of goals start is obtained
by multiplying the difference between the two teams total handicap
by the number of chukkas to be played and then dividing by 6.
Any fraction counts as half a goal.
Equipment
The sticks are made of bamboo shafts and hard wood heads. The
length of the stick varies according to the height of the pony
being played and varies from 48 to 53 inches. The ball is hit
with either face of the head and not with the ends as per croquet!
The ball traditionally either bamboo or Willow is made of plastic.
Ponies
There is no height limit but most ponies are between 15 and 15.3
hands (a hand being 4 inches high). Much of their schooling is
devoted to stopping and turning quickly and being able to accelerate
and ride-off another pony and to face a fast approaching pony.
Ponies usually only play two chukkas in an afternoon with a rest
of at least one chukka in between. Bandages or boots for support
are compulsory and a pony blind of an eye, showing vice or not
under control may not be played.
Fouls and Penalties
The most common foul occurs as the result of a player having
'the right of way' being crossed by another player which would
be very dangerous.
A player has a 'right of way' when he is following the ball on
its exact line or is closest to it; he must not cross this line
if by so doing there is any possibility of another horse having
to check in order to avoid a collision.
Players may ride-off an opponent using his/her body (not elbows)
and pony to push their opponent off the ball, although this must
not be at an angle and that the ponies are level. A player may
use his stick to hook an opponents stick to spoil a shot, but
not above shoulder height. Dangerous riding, rough handling or
misuse of the polo stick are not allowed. Penalties vary according
to the degree and place of the foul.
Tips For Enjoying Polo at Beaufort
1. What to wear
Being an outdoor sport, it's obviously best to dress according
to the weather. Spectators at polo wear everything from jeans
to a blazer and tie – it's very difficult to be under or
over dressed!
If you are attending one of the bigger polo tournaments or a
Charity Polo day, people do tend to dress up a bit more. Don’t
forget that if you want to go treading in divots at half time
to wear flat shoes.
2. Bring a Picnic
Make an afternoon of it. Most polo starts at 3pm (check the fixture
list or call the club) so why not bring a picnic and have lunch
in the beautiful surroundings of the Cotswolds. Take food that
will travel well and please remember to take home all your rubbish.
3. Viewing
Nine times out of ten, the action takes place on the opposite
side of the field! If you have binoculars they can be useful to
pick up all the action. On bigger days the commentator will help
explain the rules and give you background on the players. Programmes
can be bought at the Clubhouse.
4. Half Time
At half time spectators are invited to help tread in the divots
made by the ponies. It not only helps the players (and ground
team!), but is a great way to meet people and see some of the
players and ponies close up. Please remember to wear shoes when
treading in.
5. Players to Watch out for…
The Beaufort has amongst its playing members a number of International
players including two England Internationals in Luke and Mark
Tomlinson. Up and coming stars include Mike Howe and Richard Le
Poer.
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