Section 1 - The Game of Polo

The Game of Polo

Polo is a fast-paced team sport played on horseback, often called “the sport of kings”. The aim is simple: to score goals by hitting a small white ball between the opponent’s goalposts. What makes polo unique is that it combines the skill of riding at speed with the teamwork and strategy of a field game.

• Teams: Outdoor polo is played with four players on each side. Every player wears a number on their shirt (1 to 4), which corresponds to their position and role on the field.
• Chukkas: Matches are divided into periods of play known as chukkas (or “chukkers”). Each chukka lasts 7 minutes 30 seconds of actual play. Most games are between four and six chukkas, though high-level tournaments can be longer.
• Play: When the ball goes out of play or a foul occurs, the umpire restarts the game with a throw-in, penalty, or knock-in depending on the situation.

Fun fact: Polo players can ride as many as six different ponies in a single game, changing between chukkas or even mid-play.

The Polo Field

The outdoor polo field is the largest in organised sport — 300 yards long and 160 yards wide (about nine football pitches laid side by side).

• Goals: The posts are 8 yards apart and at least 10 feet high. A goal counts if the ball passes between them at any height, even above the posts.
• Changing Ends: After every goal, teams switch sides. This ensures that neither team has an advantage from wind, sun, or field conditions.
• Surface: The ground must be flat and well-grassed to reduce injury risk. Divots (clumps of turf kicked up by hooves) are replaced at half-time to protect both ponies and players.

Essential Equipment

For Players:

• Helmet: Compulsory for safety. Most have chin straps and some include face guards.
• Mallet: Made from cane with a hardwood head. Length varies depending on pony height (usually 49–53 inches). All players must play right-handed for safety.
• Protective gear: Knee guards, boots, and gloves are strongly recommended.

For Ponies:

• Standing martingale (mandatory): Prevents the pony from throwing its head dangerously.
• Leg protection: Bandages, brushing boots, and overreach boots to guard against strikes and collisions.
• Breastplate and tail wrap: To keep tack secure and tails clear of mallets.

Fun fact: Despite being called “ponies,” polo mounts are usually Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred-cross horses, valued for their speed and agility.

Starting Play & Restarts

• Throw-in: Games start with the umpire throwing the ball between two teams lined up at centre field. Throw-ins also restart play after most goals.
• Knock-in / Hit-in: When the attacking side hits wide, the defenders restart with a knock-in (also called a hit-in) from their back line. When the defending side hits the ball over their own back line (but not through goal), the attacking side is awarded a hit from the back line under local rules (use your host association’s terminology).
• Penalties: Awarded for fouls, depending on severity, at distances of 30, 40, or 60 yards.

Fun fact: The game clock continues running when the ball is out of play, but the umpire may stop time for safety or when lining up penalties.

Right of Way & Line of the Ball

The Line of the Ball (LOB) is the most important safety principle in polo. It is the imaginary line created by the path of the ball. The player riding along this line at the correct angle has the Right of Way (ROW).

• Other players may not cross this line dangerously or approach head-on.
• Safe challenges include ride-offs (shoulder-to-shoulder pushing to move an opponent off the line) and hooks (stopping another player’s swing by catching their mallet below shoulder height).
• Dangerous play — such as crossing, bumping at the wrong angle, or swinging above the shoulder — is penalised by the umpire.

Match Officials

A polo match is overseen by:

• Two mounted umpires who follow the play and make calls.
• A third man/referee who resolves disagreements between umpires.
• Goal judges who stand at each end to signal when the ball passes through the posts.

The umpires are responsible for player safety, enforcing the rules, and awarding penalties when fouls occur.

Pony Changes During Play

Because polo is a physically demanding sport, players are permitted to change ponies at each chukka.

• Ponies can be swapped between chukkas, or even mid-chukka, if they are tired, injured, or if equipment breaks.
• This rotation helps prevent overexertion and ensures ponies remain fit, healthy, and responsive throughout the match.

Welfare Comes First

Player and pony welfare is the highest priority in polo. If a pony or rider is in visible distress, the umpire will stop the game immediately. Welfare rules cover:

• Fitness to play: Ponies must be sound, fit, and not showing any signs of illness or lameness.
• Protective equipment: Bandages, boots, martingales, and breastplates are required to minimise injury risk.
• Rest and recovery: Adequate cool-down and care after each chukka is essential.

Beyond the Rules

Understanding pony behaviour, body language, and early warning signs of discomfort or lameness is just as important as following regulations.

👉 For a deeper look at how to recognise these signs and handle ponies responsibly, please see our free module on Horse Behaviour & Welfare.

Quick Recap

By the end of this section, you should be able to:

• State how many players are in a team and how long a chukka lasts.
• Identify the size of the field and goals.
• Recognise essential equipment for players and ponies.
• Describe how play starts and restarts.
• Explain the Line of the Ball and the Right of Way.
• Understand who enforces the rules and how welfare is protected.

👉 Now that you’ve studied the fundamentals, take the quiz below to test your knowledge.