polo basic s hook
knock-in: when a team in an offensive drive hits the ball across the opponent’s back line, the defending team resumes play with a free hit from their back line. line of the ball: Once a ball is hit, the player who is closest to the ball with the lesser angle has the right of way. Opposing players cannot cross the line too closely to the player who has the right of way, nor can they approach the “on line” player at too sharp an angle, or they risk a foul and subsequent penalty. near-side: the left-hand side of the horse, where players mount. neck shot: the player uses the flexibility of the bamboo mallet shaft to hit the ball under the horse’s neck.
P
olo is a fast-paced sport played on a field that spans the same surface area as nine football fields. Playtime is divided into 7½ minute chukkers, and after each goal, the teams switch ends to equalize game conditions. The players and their horses are exhilarating to watch, but it is even better when you can follow the plays of the game. This guide introduces the terms you will need to speak the language of polo. TERMS divot stomp: Spectator participation! During half time, spectators are invited onto the field to replace pieces of turf dug up by the horses during play, so that the ball travels smoothly down the field. flagman: the designated person standing at each end behind the goal posts who flags each
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off-side: the right-hand side of the horse. successful goal “in” by waving the flag up high or “out” by waving the flag below the waist. foul: any infraction of the USPA rules, ranging from dangerous riding to interrupting the line of the ball. handicap (also, goal rating): a player’s handicap is a rating between -2 (or C) and 10. A rating committee decides the handicap of each player based on playing ability, horsemanship, team play, horses, and knowledge of the game. The handicap of a team is the sum total rating of all of its players, and the final score of a match is adjusted according to discrepancies in the two teams’ handicaps. hook: a defensive technique in which a player uses his or her mallet to interfere with an opponent’s swing.
ride-off
