GLOSSARY OF TERMS

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Chukker: matches are divided into 7-1/2- minute periods of play; low- and mediumgoal games have four chukkers and high-goal games have six.

Goal: a point is scored when the ball crosses the two goal posts at any height. After each goal, the teams change directions to equalize playing conditions.

Handicap (goal rating): each player is assigned a handicap (measured in goals) from the United States Polo Association based on both experience and skill. Beginners are assigned a C (or -2) or B (-1) rating. As skills improve, the players are rated from A (or zero) to the top rating, a 10-goal player. Opposing teams are equally matched by adding up the ratings of each of their players.

Hook: a defensive technique in which a player uses his or her mallet to interfere with an opponent’s swing.

Position 1: an offensive position that acts as the goal striker.

Position 2: a forward that often has to transition back to defense.

Position 3: the team captain who coaches the other players and calls the strategy on the field.

Position 4 (back): the defensive position that guards the goal.

Pro: a professional player who is hired by a sponsor to be the team captain. The pro will put together a team and guide the strategy on the field.

Ride off (or bump): a defensive move in which a horse’s shoulder is pressed into the shoulder of an opposing player’s horse in an attempt to drive him or her off the line of the ball.

Right of way: the player closest to the ball with the narrowest angle has the right of way. Opposing players cannot cross the line too closely to the “on-line” player, nor can they approach the player at too sharp an angle, or they risk a foul and subsequent penalty.

Sponsor (or patron): the financial backing of a team, the sponsor hires a pro to captain and develop a winning team.