PL
Photo by Dorothea Jean Vergara
R ULES & P OSITIONS “The game has been and always will be played by men and women who possess a zest for adventure and challenge. More important, polo has been and always will be characterized by the athleticism and beauty of the horse.” - Museum of Polo
POSITION 1 The #1 position requires a player with the accuracy and confidence to score. This is the #1’s offensive job. This player must have a fast, steady horse in order to beat the opposing #4 to the ball and stroke it into the goal. POSITION 2 This player is often called the ‘sparkplug’ of the team. As an attacker the #2 player is the most aggressive offensive player on the team. The #2 player marks the opposing #3 player and keeps this player from turning the ball. POSITION 3 The #3 player is the quarterback of the team and usually the most versatile. This offensive and defensive player must act quickly and always think a play ahead. As a playmaker, his responsibilites are to turn the opponent’s attack around and direct his team’s offensive drive with strategic, well-placed passes. POSITION 4 The #4 position requires a deliberate approach, yet leaves nomargin for error. Player #4 must keep himself/herself between the goal and the attacking #1.
Most of the rules in polo center around the concept of the “line of the ball,” the imaginary line created by the path of the ball. This line corresponds to the center line of the road, with lanes on either side for opposing players. A player may not cross this line without first riding off or bumping the opponent to the other side. The “line” exists to allow a horse and rider to gallop at high speeds after the ball without meeting another moving player head on or running into another one crossing the rider’s path. The “hook” is an effective defensive maneuver, yet it may not be executed higher than the height of a horse or across the back of the opponent’s horse. Players may not approach for a bump at a severe angle. Two mounted umpires patrol the game as close to the action as possible, penalizing players for moves that create dangerous situations for horse or player. A third official (third man) watches from the sidelines to make the call if the two umpires are in disagreement. n
16 | Polo Life Magazine ® | 2021 | Tinicum Park Polo Club
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online