About Arena Polo
The object of the game is to move the ball down the arena and to hit the ball into the goal. The team with the highest number of goals wins. Each goal is worth one point, except for a goal scored from beyond the center line of the arena, which is worth two points, or in the case of the new USPA arena rules, a goal scored beyond the 25 yard line is now worth 2 points.
Arena polo is played with three players on each team. There are four chukkers, or periods, in a game that are 7 and ½ minutes long each. Players must change horses for every chukker and one horse may be played twice, or “doubled.” Each chukker begins when the umpire bowls the ball in between teams lined up on the center line. Teams switch goals every chukker.
The rules of polo are created for the safety of the horses and players. Every time the ball is hit it creates an imaginary line in the direction that it is moving, much like a yellow line in the highway. A new line of the ball is created every time it is hit or bounced off a wall or off a horse. Players can ride to the line and down their side of the line to the ball, but cannot cross the line if they are impeding the right of way of players already established on and traveling down the line. Players may "ride-off" or “bump” each other over the line to take the ball away from an opponent. Players may also use their mallet to hook an opponent’s mallet to stop them from hitting the ball.
When a rule is violated, the umpire will blow their whistle and announce the foul that was committed. The fouled team takes a penalty shot to goal.
Polo is played on polo “ponies”, however, these “ponies” rarely qualify as ponies and are typically horses around 15 to 15.3 hands. The majority of polo ponies in the U.S. are thoroughbreds. Horses wear bandages or boots on their legs for support and protection. Manes are shaved to eliminate tangled hair in the reins and to improve visibility around the horse. Tails are tied up to prevent them from getting caught in the mallet as players swing.
Players wear helmets and can protect their face with goggles or a face mask attached to the helmet. Knee guards protect a player’s knees when being bumped by opponents.
In the arena, the polo ball is about the size of a softball and is inflated. In outdoor polo played on grass, the polo ball is made of hard plastic and is about the size of a baseball.
Arena polo is played with three players on each team. There are four chukkers, or periods, in a game that are 7 and ½ minutes long each. Players must change horses for every chukker and one horse may be played twice, or “doubled.” Each chukker begins when the umpire bowls the ball in between teams lined up on the center line. Teams switch goals every chukker.
The rules of polo are created for the safety of the horses and players. Every time the ball is hit it creates an imaginary line in the direction that it is moving, much like a yellow line in the highway. A new line of the ball is created every time it is hit or bounced off a wall or off a horse. Players can ride to the line and down their side of the line to the ball, but cannot cross the line if they are impeding the right of way of players already established on and traveling down the line. Players may "ride-off" or “bump” each other over the line to take the ball away from an opponent. Players may also use their mallet to hook an opponent’s mallet to stop them from hitting the ball.
When a rule is violated, the umpire will blow their whistle and announce the foul that was committed. The fouled team takes a penalty shot to goal.
Polo is played on polo “ponies”, however, these “ponies” rarely qualify as ponies and are typically horses around 15 to 15.3 hands. The majority of polo ponies in the U.S. are thoroughbreds. Horses wear bandages or boots on their legs for support and protection. Manes are shaved to eliminate tangled hair in the reins and to improve visibility around the horse. Tails are tied up to prevent them from getting caught in the mallet as players swing.
Players wear helmets and can protect their face with goggles or a face mask attached to the helmet. Knee guards protect a player’s knees when being bumped by opponents.
In the arena, the polo ball is about the size of a softball and is inflated. In outdoor polo played on grass, the polo ball is made of hard plastic and is about the size of a baseball.
Fun Facts
Polo must be played with the mallet held in the right hand only. The unlucky “lefty” must learn to play right-handed.
Outdoor polo is played on the grass with 4 players on each team and the rules are slightly different than for arena polo.
Players are rated with handicaps according to their skill level. The handicaps of players are added together for each team and the team with the lesser sum of handicap earns the difference in goals, therefore, a team may begin a game with goals already on the score board!
For more information about polo and the rules, visit the United States Polo Association website at www.us-polo.org
Outdoor polo is played on the grass with 4 players on each team and the rules are slightly different than for arena polo.
Players are rated with handicaps according to their skill level. The handicaps of players are added together for each team and the team with the lesser sum of handicap earns the difference in goals, therefore, a team may begin a game with goals already on the score board!
For more information about polo and the rules, visit the United States Polo Association website at www.us-polo.org
