What you need to know before the first chukka

Rules of polo

The first official written rules (on which the present international rules are based) were created only in the 19th Century. Some of the key rules one needs to know watching or playing polo:

• Polo is a dynamic and exciting team game that is played on horseback.
• Polo is played on a polo field that is 300 yards long and 200 yards wide.
• Polo match is divided into chukkas (plays), each one lasting 7 minutes.
• There are 2 teams of 4 players in each that are competing to score the higher number of goals into the opponent’s gate to become a winner.
• Each player has its own role – position 1 offensive player, position 2- is backing up the position 1, position 3 is strategic, and usually is taken by the best player in the team, and position 4 is defensive.
• When a goal is scored, or after every chukka, the teams change gates.
• Only special breed of horses can be used for the game – polo ponies, that are appreciated for their sporty competitive character, good stamina, fast speed and ease of control.
• The sport is overseen by the Federation of International Polo.
• Rules of polo demand that all players must follow the polo fashion - wear white jeans/ competition trousers, team t-shirt with the position number and have a proper helmet.

To keep yourself prepared for the first chukka, go through the check list and get the needful polo gear from sticknball.me