Facts About Polo
Polo involves a ball that can travel at a very high velocity--much like other major sports across the globe--yet many people are not familiar with this particular sport. With a rich history, the game got its start in the 20th century and has since remained popular among small segments of players and fans.
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History
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Considered to be the oldest sport in the world, polo originated in Pakistan as a war game around 2500 years ago to teach warriors dexterity, quick thinking and aggressive aptitude on horseback. The first documented game took place in 600 BC between the Turkomans and Persians and soon reached Constantinople and China. It was in India---during the 16th century---that the first real rules of the game were created by John Watson. Though the game faded out in the 1500s, it was restored by the Indian Prince of Bengal in 1850. By 1859, the British embraced the game, and polo finally made its way to the United States in 1876.
Equipment
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There are several different types of equipment that are required for polo players. One of the central pieces is the white plastic ball, which is typically 3-1/4 inches in diameter and weighs more or less 4-1/2 oz. Brown leather boots and a helmet helmet---which may or may not have a face guard---and gloves to protect the hands from friction and improve grip are very commonly worn by the rider as well. The rider also plays with a mallet, 49 to 54 inches on average, as well as a jersey and whip.
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Rules
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Being a strategic team sport, polo is played with three players on each side when done indoors or four players during outdoor play. The purpose of the game is to hit the ball through the opponent's goal post as much as possible. The team with the most goals wins.
Penalties
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A free hit to a goal is situated from a distance by the umpire once a foul is committed. The first penalty will be an automatic goal for the defending team. A 30-yard hit and 40-yard hit to an undefended goal is given for a second and third penalty. Penalty number four results in a 60-yard hit to a defended goal. For penalty five, a hit from midfield or from the area of infraction is awarded to the defending team.
Terminologies
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There are some basic terms in polo that players are required to know. For instance, if a player wants to assert a foul by lifting the mallets above the head, it is called "appealing." "Back shot" is a backhand swing to hurl the ball in the other direction. To reduce the speed and rotate the pony safely is what is called the "check and turn."
There are six cycles, each of which lasts for 7-1/2 minutes, in every game; this is what is referred to as "chukker." Hitting a ball towards a teammate is called a "pass" and the backhand hitting of the ball away from the goal being defended is referred to as a "turn."
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References
- Photo Credit Polo Player & Horse image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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You should go search for more evidence regarding polo, there has been a polo chogan for the past 3000 years in the heart of current Iran, however, there are clear facts of very big chogan or polo courts since ancient Persian empire.
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PLEASE go and search about polo one more time. you will see where polo or chogan came from. there is so many evidence like very big polo courts in IRAN which for almost 3000 years ago.
