Comprehensive Guide to Polo Rules from A to Z for Beginners

Polo is a team competition, in which players ride horses. The main task in the given kind of sport is to deliver the ball into opponents’ goal. The given kind of sport appeared in Asia, which has been numerously proved by various archeological findings including drawings, documents, and paintings. In a while, polo became extremely popular in 77 world countries. Over a certain period of time, these competitions were being played at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, it is impossible to say that this sport is widely popular and requested in the modern world.

Polo Variations

Like billiard, polo is roughly speaking a generalized term. To explain, there are different kinds of this sport that are played nowadays. Thus, they are as follows:

1. Cowboy polo – the competitions take place between two teams with 5 players in each on the solid ground.
2. Beach polo – such matches are held between two teams with three players in each.
3. Arena polo – such matches take place on the field with the dimensions of 90 meters long and 45 meters wide. The characteristic features of this polo variation include a bigger ball, smaller goals, additional set of penalties, and speed limitations.
4. Outdoor polo – this is a traditional variation of the given sport; matches take place on the field with the dimensions of 275 meters long and 145 meters wide.

Apart from the variations mentioned above (even despite the fact they are the most popular), there are others. Thus, it is possible to witness snow polo competitions. In this case, the rules are the same as those for beach polo. In addition, players can ride yacks, camels, and elephants, rather than horses.

General Rules

The first official polo rules were created in 1874. It is interesting that many of them have survived up to now. The rules appeared to prevent the animals and players from getting injured as well as to contribute for better safety on the playing field. In addition, corresponding sanctions were introduced also to prevent certain dangerous situations. It should be clear that the rules can be a bit different depending on the fact which polo variation they govern. With this, some general rules do exist.

The polo rules state that the ball line of travel is the most important phenomenon in the given kind of sport. This element can change every time after a player hits the ball with his mallet. The line of travel is between the starting and the finishing positions of the ball. A horseman that hit the ball is said to have the priority because all the other players are not allowed to stand in the way of this player as well as to cross the ball line of travel.

The other players are only allowed to come close to this leading player from his sides. Nevertheless, defenders of the same team may cross the line of travel if it does not create some obstacles for an attacking player; otherwise, the referee will award a foul. Opposing defenders may try to dismiss the attacking player’s horse by pushing it in its shoulder. In this case, however, the angle of dismissing should not be higher than 30 degrees. At the same time, the defenders are allowed to use their own mallets to block that of the player who has the ball in his possession.

Equipment

The given kind of sport implies a certain set of equipment, each piece of which should meet precise and strict requirements.

Ball

The ball for polo should be 8 cm in diameter; its weight should be 110g. The ball used to be made of a bamboo root covered with cork. Up to nowadays, the given natural material has been substituted by special plastic. The ball should be of the white color to make it easy for the player to notice it in the grass (when it comes to traditional polo).

Mallet

This is a counterpart of the hockey stick. The polo mallet comprises a cane shaft with a rubber-wrapped grip, a webbed thong, called a sling, for wrapping around the thumb, and a wooden cigar-shaped head. Considering the fact that players can ride horses of different heights, it should be clear that the length and weight of the polo mallet vary correspondingly.

Saddle

It should be mentioned at once that polo players do not use the saddles as those for ordinary horse riding. Considering the specifics of the sport, it is not a surprise that particular saddles are required. Thus, the players use English-style and close contact saddles. With this, some players do not need a saddle blanket because it worsens the degree of how comfortably a player can ride his horse. The irons are heavier than most, and the stirrup leathers are wider and thicker, for added safety when the player stands in the stirrups.

Helmet

This piece of equipment is said to be mandatory; in addition, it performs two important functions. Firstly, it refers to the protection of the players’ heads from possible injuries. Secondly, it is the helmet that helps to distinguish players of the opposing teams because different teams wear the helmets of different colors.

Others

It is necessary to tell a few words about the players’ uniform. Thus, white polo pants or trousers and long boots are obligatory for all the players on the field, while jerseys or shirts can be of a particular color depending on a team. Finally, it is necessary to always remember about such protective equipment as knee guards, elbow pads, gum shields, and polo gloves.

Way of Playing

A classic polo match takes place on the field with the dimensions of 280 meters long and 150 meters wide. The field should be perfectly smooth to make it possible for the polo players to perform. It should be covered with shortly cut grass. Such matches consist of six periods that are also known as chukkas. Each of them lasts for seven minutes. If the teams show active performance, 30 additional seconds can be added. If a player or his horse gets injured or when a rule has been violated, the referee should stop the match.

Generally, four referees should serve an official polo match. Among them, two are walking goal referees and two are mounted on horses on the playing field. After every chukka, a corresponding interval should occur, during which the player should change their horses. It is forbidden to use one and the same horse in two consecutive periods. The main task of the given kind of sport is to score a goal. Thus, a victory is given to a team that manages to score at least one more goal in comparison with their opponents.

Classification of Players

Traditionally, a polo match is a competition between two teams as it has been mentioned several times. Every team then consists of four horsemen who are represented by defenders and offenders. To be more exact, these players are as follows:

1. Defender (Number Four) – it is the most defense-oriented player even despite the fact that he is allowed to move across the whole field and actively participate in an attacking stage.
2. Leader (Number Three) – he is said to be the most important player in every team; he is responsible for making passes to Number Two and Number One who are to score goals and helping Number Four in defensive actions.
3. Midfielder (Number Two) – his task is to give attacking support to his team’s Number One as well as to cover the opposing Number Three in defense.
4. Forward (Number One) – this attacking player should cover the opposing Number Four.

Horses

When it comes to the sport of polo, a particular horse breed is brought up. It refers to Polo Pony. From the name, one can suppose that extremely small horses are used for the given kind of sport but this is not true.

The given breed can impress with rather large sizes. As for ponies, for example, they are horses that are smaller than 140 cm, and representatives of this breed are a bit taller. In general, this breed is known for good coordination, great speed, flexibility, and movability. We must say it separately, however, that people in different regions of the world can use horses of different breeds.

All the polo horses should come through special training. They should learn how to be humble and obedient because they should not be afraid of the flying ball, heavy mallets, and neighboring animals. In addition, it is up to every separate coach to further develop his own animal. Greater attention is paid to the animals’ speed, flexibility, and stamina.

History

The first mentioned of polo dates back to the 8th-6th centuries BC. Countries of the Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia are said to be the motherland of the given kind of sport. Ancient Persia also bears the title of polo motherland. Originally, the game was called ‘chovgan” and it had significant differences with the modern variation of polo. It was a competition for privileged people including the royal family and noblemen. A Persian emperor is a good example here because he had learned polo from his childhood. Archeological findings in Iraq, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Iran had a direct connection to the given kind of sport. It is said that Persia played a significant role in spreading the game all over the world.

In the 3rd-4th centuries AD, the given sport became popular in the Roman Empire. There was even a tragic event connected with such competitions when emperors died during polo events. The period of Islamic Caliphate is said to be the next stage of polo developing. The Arabs brought the game in Asia, Europe, and African countries when they invaded those lands. Polo became even the most important sport in India, Pakistan, and Egypt. China could be also included in the list of countries that honored this horse kind of sport.

Despite the fact that polo was popular in different countries at different times, it was India and Britain that were synonymous with the game most of all. In India, the polo ball was wooden. In England, however, polo appeared yet in the 12th century but it was not until the 19th century when it became widely popular and requested.

Polo was an obligatory part of the 1900-1936 Olympic Games. Each time, five teams from five different countries competed. At present, the Olympic committee does not include the given kind of sport in the schedule of the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, the Polo World Championships takes place every three years.

The given kind of sport is played in 77 world countries and it keeps actively developing with every passing year. The problem is in the fact that not all the countries can afford themselves to play this game professionally. With this, there is still a list of countries that can impress with regular polo tournaments. They are Great Britain, India, the USA, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, and others. Nowadays, more and more women’s team are appearing.