How to Play Polo

Step 1

Read the United States Polo Association Official Rules or talk to an experienced polo player to familiarize yourself with the basic rules, regulations and necessary equipment of the game.

Step 2

Take the field with your team and line up facing the other team at the 'T' in the center of the polo field. The umpire will bowl the polo ball onto the ground in front of and between the 2 teams to start the game.


Step 3

Score goals in play by hitting the ball between the goal posts located at your opponent's end of the field. The team with the most goals, whether scored in play or by handicap or penalty, at the end of a maximum of six regular periods, called chukkers, wins. Each period lasts 7.5 minutes with a 4-minute break between periods, except at half time when players get a 10-minute break.


Step 4

Calculate goals scored by handicap by finding the difference between each team's handicaps. Add together players' handicaps, as assigned by the United States Polo Association, for both teams. Subtract the smaller handicap from the larger handicap. Divide that number by six and then multiply it by the number of regular periods played in the game to get the total goals scored by handicap.


Step 5

Avoid breaking rules or committing personal fouls which could put your team at a disadvantage. The United States Polo Association rules detail a number of fouls including line of the ball, right of way, dangerous riding, improper use of a mallet and carrying a ball, among others.


Tips and Warnings

If the game is tied at the end of six periods, overtime periods of the same length as regular periods are played until a team scores the winning goal. When calculating handicaps, round fractions of a goal to the nearest whole number. Your horse must be in good health, have sight and both eyes and remain under your control for the duration of the game. Excessive whipping or hitting the horse with any part of the mallet is strictly prohibited. Players may not wear sharp spurs, studs or buckles that could injure the mount.
The umpire decides the penalty for a personal foul, which could include an automatic goal or a free hit at the ball for your opponent or exclusion of the offending player for part or the remainder of the game.