Evening star., 1924-08-30

a maSnlneQ 1901 Ddll neId. lacking,
of course. the yardage lines. The
cardboard. fastened over a wicker
like frame so that when a player
crashes into them neither man nor
mount is injured. A game consists
of eight periods with intervals of
three minutes after each period.
Played With Willow Ball.
Teams are made up of four men
to a side. known as No. 1, No. 2, No.
and back. The game is played with
willow ball, not more than three
and half inches in diameter and
each player is armed with a mallet-
like stick, the handle of which, made
of malacca or bamboo. is about ~
inches long and rather whippy. The
head is solid. cylindrical piece of
hickory, six inches in circumference
in the middle, tapering to five at
either end.
At the start of a game three men
of each team line up side by side
in single file. with a back fanking
| each trio. They are, of course. in
the center of the field. The referee
tosses in the ball so that it rolls be-
tween the lines Of horsemen. The
object of the members of each team
is to gain possession of the ball and
to knock it through the opponents
goal.
One might imagine that this would
involve a heller SHELTER dash Of
horses and riders who are playing
nothing other than shinney on horse
back. And so it does in the case of
inexperienced poIoists. But in well
played polo this is not so. In fact
no game is laid upon lines more
scientific in the way Of combination
play or is more rigid in specific duties
assigned to every player.
No. i, for instance must always be
ready to shoot for goal on a pass to
him by the No. 2 and both No. / and
No. 2, upon whom rests the brunt of
the offence, must be ever ready to
take passes from the back or the
No. 8, both of whom are regarded as
defensive players. But, particularly
under the American scheme of play,
the two backfield men are not always
defensive players In a flash. when
| opportunity arises. they will come
through with the ball. very much on
the offenSe, where upon 1t devolves
upon the forwards to reverse their
roles and make certain their own
goal Is not in danger should the ad-i
| vance be checked and the ball come
into possession of the enemy.
Change Goals After Each Score.
Once a team puts the ball through
the goal, the fours change goals and
SO 1t goes. One of the essential
qualifications Of a good polo player,
an internationalists says, is that he
be a long and accurate hitter on the
high side or offside, either forehand
or backhand, while his mount is
going at full speed. It is understood
of course that he shall be an expert
horseman. Also he must be game,
courageous to a degree and know
every rule 30 thoroughly that he re-
acts to 1t instinctively in the heat of
play. -sr-'. ,-.--t-..'-
This last is essential; for very
largely the rules are designed to
minimize the element Of physical
danger and where they are infrinEed
upon the gravest consequences may
follow. and have, as a fact. followed
only too often.
Any game which involves physical
contact Is a dangerous game and in
polo men come into contact while
borne upon the backs Of steads on a
dead gallop. No. 1 always is inter-
fering with the opposing back. No.
must cover the rival No. 3, while
No. posters the other NO. and
the backs chief, aim is to out-ma-
noeuvre the opposing No. 1.
Rules designed thus to mitigate the
dangers Of this ciashing Of man and
beast are highly important and in
volve so many complexities that
further discussion OF them-together
with additional consideration of polo
as a game-must be reserved for the
second article in this series, which
viii appear tomorrow.