Polo 101


Chukkers/Chukkas - The time periods into which each polo game is broken into. There are generally 4 chukkers in
a low or medium goal polo game, and 6 chukkers in a high-goal game. Each chukker is 7-1/2 minutes long.

Offside - the right side of the pony/player and the side where the player holds the mallet. An offside shot is hit on the rider's right side and is the most common position from which players hit the ball.

Nearside - the left side of the pony/player. A nearside shot requires a player to bring the mallet over the neck of the pony and make the shot on the left while still holding the mallet in their right hand.

Backshot - a shot that travels backwards, as a way of changing the direction of play.

Neckshot - a shot that travels under the pony's neck, generally perpendicular to the pony and direction of play.

Handicap - a rating that notes the skill level of a player and that allows game play to be equalised. The highest handicap, awarded to the most highly-skilled players, is 10.

USPA - the US Polo Association, the governing federation for polo in the US. All rules and regulations related to official, sanctioned US polo games, as well as official tournaments, come from the USPA. USPA website

Arena polo - a polo game played in an enclosed sand arena instead of on grass. Arena polo teams are comprised of
3 players on each team, instead of 4 as is done in grass polo teams.