That's because the sports has similar objectives, positioning and strategy. For first-timers, though, watching polo might appear chaotic. Horses run at full speed, constantly banging into each other to gain position, changing directions and speed to chase after a ball. In this sport, two teams consisting of four players each try to score by striking a ball through their opponent's goal. The playing field is the size of three football fields - 300 yards long by 160 yards.
Riders wield a wooden mallet that resembles a putter.
On offense the mallet is used to advance, pass, or shoot the ball. On defense players try to steal the ball and are allowed to hook another's mallet to prevent a shot or bump a horse off its course. Riders are allowed to strike the ball without obstruction. But probably the most entertaining part of the event occurs at halftime when fans are allowed to take part in a polo tradition. Spectators can walk out onto the field looking for uprooted clumps of grass called divots and stomp them back into place.