History of Polo
Polo is a ball game played on horseback, one of the oldest team sports known to the world. It was called the "the sport of kings" but now is enjoyed by spectators worldwide. The game's origins can be traced back to the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD when Iranian and Turkic nomads played it as an equestrian game. Today, it is played professionally in 16 countries and has over 100 member countries in the Federation of International Polo. Polo was also an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1936.
The Game of Polo
Teams:
Each team consists of four riders, and they are assigned specific roles: two forwards, one midfield, and one defence.
Field:
The standard polo field is about 300 yards long and 160 yards wide, marked by goalposts at each end.
Chukka:
The game is divided into periods called chukkas, with seven minutes of play each and short breaks in between.
Starting:
A match begins with a throw-in at the centre of the field, where the ball is thrown between the teams, and they race to gain control.
Gameplay:
Players use long-handled mallets to hit the ball, and the team with the most goals wins at the end of the chukkas.
Rules:
Players must ride defensively and avoid dangerous play like crossing mallets, crossing the line of the ball or riding in front of opponents.
Change of Ends:
Teams switch ends after each goal to balance the influence of field conditions.
Handicaps:
Players are rated according to their skills and experience on a scale of -2 to 10.
Stomping of the divots
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"Stomping of the divots" refers to a common practice in polo where players or spectators walk onto the field during breaks between chukkas to repair the damage caused by horses' hooves. Divots are the chunks of turf displaced during the game, and stomping them back into place helps maintain a safe and even playing surface for the horses and players.