If you are
polo curious and have just casually landed on this site, we want to tell you
that polo is a sport with a story that goes back many years ago, however, today
we want to tell you how to play it.
Polo is a
sport that is played while on a horse, this means that speed and agility are
always needed, it is played by two teams each one with for players. Since the
beginning in the old Persia some changes have been made, but none at a drastic
state, this is why polo is a game with a very long story.
Recommended: "The history of polo"
Each player
is equipped with a horse whip which encourages the horse and with a mallet to
hit the high impact ball (called a bocha) which will be in constant movement
all the time in the game field.
The main
idea in polo is to mark goals on the other teams’ arches, a polo field has
specific dimensions length: between 230 and 270 metres; width: between 130 and 145. A polo match is played
in times called Chukkas, each Chukka has a duration of seven minutes and the
halftime is normally of four minutes, a match normally has 8 Chukkas, which
gives this a total of approximately one hour and a half.
Like in
each sport, there are certain rules which must be followed, specially because
polo is played on an animal, the idea is to protect both the player and the
horse, wanting always a clean game.
There are two judges called referees who are always on the field making
sure that all rules for polo are being followed, there is also a third (thirdman)
which is always outside the field and only intervenes when there is a
disagreement between the judges in front of a decision.
To be able
to play polo players must be equipped with the correct clothes and elements of
protection like: helmets, elbow pads, knee pads and boots (for more information
visit our store at: www.kronopolo.com) additionally their uniform that identifies
them as players of the team and also white trousers, an important item due to
the fact that from a habit a became a tradition in all official polo
tournaments around the world.
Recommended: "Why do polo players wear white trousers?"
As we were
saying before there are rules that intend on preserving the integrity of the
horse rider and the horse, for example you can only carry the mallet on the
right side, no one can get in the way of the horse and the player and far less
hit between the horses legs.
Polo is
greatly known in Argentina, England, The United States and some countries in
the middle east, in Argentina the “Triple Corona” Is played, a series of
competitions that are classified as the most important world-wide where many
players from around the world attend. As it is known, polo is related
constantly with the royalty and it is known as one of the most exclusive
sports. It can be due to its implements, the horses o the champagne that is
drunk while watching the match.
Recommended: "Polo: the sport of royalty"
However
way, polo is an exciting game, fast and with not at all dreary, you can think
that the seven minutes that a Chukka lasts is little, but we assure you that in
that time many things can happen, so many that it would be impossible for you
to get bored.
Written by: Santiago Betancur