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UNIVERSITY OF KENT POLO CLUB
Providing accessible and affordable polo for those of all abilities
POLO BASICS
Aim of the Game
The aim of the game is for a team of 3 or 4 to hit the ball to the other side of the field/arena and through the goal posts/into the goal. The winner is the team to score the most goals within the game.
Rules of the Game
Polo is a fast and fun contact sport so the rules are there to ensure the safety of both players and ponies. The main rule in polo is that the player on the line of the ball, or the imaginary line along which the ball travels, has the right of way and may only be challenged by being ridden off, or having their stick hooked.
Types of Polo
There are two main types of polo; grass and arena (although there are many other variations of the sport including snow and camel polo!). Arena is played in the winter and grass is played in the summer. Grass is usually faster paced and uses a smaller, more hollow ball than arena.
Terminology
Chukka
A seven minute period of play. At high level matches they may play up to eight chukka’s.
Line of the Ball
The imaginary “line of the ball”is the direction in which the ball is travelling at any one moment. This is treated as a road and must be followed and under no circumstances crossed by another player.
Plays
Riding Off
The act of pushing another player and their pony out of the way using your pony, it is permitted whether the other player is playing the ball or not, but it must not be done by charging in at a dangerous angle, nor must the player in possession of the ball be crossed.
Right of Way
The imaginary “line of the ball”, which is the direction in which the ball is travelling at any one moment. This is treated as a road and must be followed and under no circumstances crossed by another player.
Nearside Forehand
A shot where the mallet is swung forward on the left side of the horse.
Near side backhand
A shot where the mallet is swung in the opposite direction of travel (backwards) on the pony’s near side. This is one of the most difficult shots to master.
Hooking Sticks
Hooking a stick involves placing the mallet in front of another player's mallet in order to block it hitting the ball. A player may hook an opponent’s stick provided he is on the same side of the opponent as the ball, or directly behind him, and provided the stick is below the level of the opponent’s shoulder. Players must not attempt to hook an opponent in front of the pony’s legs.
Offside Forehand
A shot where the mallet is swung forward on the right hand side, this is the first shot most player's will learn.
Offside Backhand
A shot where the mallet is swung in the opposite direction of travel (backward) on the pony’s off side.
Neck Shot
A shot where the mallet is swung under the pony’s neck on the offside or nearside of the mount.
Kit
Kit includes...
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Polo helmet
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Polo whites
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Polo boots
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Kneepads
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Whip
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Gloves
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Mallet
(But all you need are boots with a heel to play with us!)
Sources: telegraph.co.uk and derby house.co.uk
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