Playing Polo on Lake Chiemsee

THE PLAYING FIELD A polo field is 274 m long and 182 m wide. The goals are 7.3 m wide and bounded by posts made from willow trees. There is no upper boarder on the posts, as there is no limit on how high the goal can be shot. It just needs to go through the posts!

TEAMS  Each team consists of 4 players. Two players are responsible for the attack, the 3rd player is the captain who organises the game and provides strategy and the 4th plays in defence and is called the “Back”.

PLAYTIME A game consists of 4 intervals which are called " Chukkas". A Chukka lasts for 7½ minutes plus extra time, for example when a foul interrupts the game, so the game can take longer. There are 3 minute breaks between the Chukkas and a 5 minute break during half time when the spectators are asked to participate in “Divot Stamping”. This is a polo tradition whereby the spectators go out on to the field and stamp down the divots created during the game, serving not only to improve the field but also to provide the opportunity for socialising.

EQUIPMENT The so-called " Stick" is made out of wood, either from willow or bamboo and is approximately 1.30 m long with a “Cigar” on the end which is used to strike the ball. Left-handed people can find the game difficult, as the stick must be help with the right hand. The ball weighs 130 gms and is made from compressed bamboo or plastic with a diameter of 7 to 8 cm. The ball can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h. It is compulsory for each player to wear protective head gear, which is traditionally shaped like a tropical helmet. The shins are also protected with a thickly padded leather.

HANDICAP  Just like in golf, each player has a handicap rating. This is based on past achievements and ranges from minus 2 (beginners) and goes up to plus 10, which is quite rare. The best German players for example usually have a handicap around 5 plus. The team handicap is calculated by the sum of the handicaps of the individual players.

UMPIRES The rules during play are enforced by 2 umpires, also on horses. The main umpire is referred to as the “referee” and controls the game from the edge of the playing field.

THE HITS There are 4 basic ways to hit the ball during the game. “Offside” is when it is hit from the right hand side of the horse. A forward shot is called “Offside forehand” and backwards is called “Offside backwards”. When the ball is struck from the left hand side of the horse, it is called “Nearside” and likewise there are forward and backward “Nearside” shots. It can also be necessary during the game to strike the ball from an angle under the neck of the horse, hence called “Under The Neck" or, almost acrobatic in style, by swinging around the back of the horse, therefore called “Round The Tail”. When you observe the players during the game, you will notice that in order to bring their hips and shoulders in to the correct position, they are rarely able sit in the saddle and therefore spend the majority of the game “standing in the stirrups.

THE RULES focus first and foremost on the safety and protection of the horses. For example, the game stops immediately when a horse bandage becomes undone. In contrast, if a rider falls, the game will be stopped only if the rider is seriously injured. The most important rule is “right of way”. This means, when a player hits the ball and follows the path of the ball, nobody is allowed to cross between the player and the ball or attack the player.

BREAKING THE RULES , such as not giving  „right of way“, crossing in the path of the person that has hit the ball, “sandwiching” (jamming an opponent between 2 players of the opposing team) or striking the ball outside of the boundaries are all penalised immediately by giving the opposing team a free shot.