We present, for your enjoyment, a guide to the language of polo. A horn sounds at 7 minutes to warn the players. A second horn then sounds 30 seconds later to end play. The last chukker ends at 7 minutes with no extra time. Foul An infraction of the rules set forth by the United States Polo Association.
Most fouls govern the safe riding and the concept of the line of the ball.
Goal A score which is tallied any time the ball travels between the goal posts, whether hit in by attacker, defender, or pony. Players' handicaps are added together to derive a team handicap that, in turn, is used to equalize competition. The difference in goals between two teams is awarded to the lower rated team before play begins. The mallet is used to block or interfere with another player's swing at the ball, although it must be used in an approved manner. Unsafe hooking or hitting into a pony is a foul.