Pony Club Polo Handbook 00 Name... Branch...
Contents Introduction Pony Club Tests and Achievement Badges Polo Basics Set Plays o Throw In o Hit In 4 o Spot Hit and Centre Hit 5 o 60 Yard Penalties 6 o 40 and 0 Yard Penalties 7 o Goal Judging 8 General Polo Knowledge 9 Rules Horse Management Lecture Outline Pony Welfare Lecture Outline Polo Rules Relevant to Pony Welfare 4 Riding and Horsemastership Skills 5 Stick and Ball Skills 7 Assessment Day Outline 9 Answers 0
Introduction The objective of The Pony Club and the HPA is that all players will train at Branch, Area and National level to improve their game, standards of horsemastership and pony welfare in accordance with their Section, age and playing ability. How to use the Handbook The Pony Club Polo Handbook defines the syllabus for players in all Sections from Jorrocks to Gannon. The Handbook is a syllabus for instructors and an aide memoire for players in a very simple format. Two lecture outlines are included. Players can keep a record of their own skills achieved in riding, horsemastership and stick and ball. Every player should use the Handbook to further their knowledge and skills and discuss with their Branch Manager or Coach how to improve. Many of the skills will take several years to develop. Development Training and assessment are a Branch responsibility and players with handicaps of 0 goals and below in all Sections should attend three training events per year. It is expected that more experienced players in Rendell, Langford and Gannon will join in with Pony Club training activities and help less able players whenever it is appropriate. A training event includes the following activities: Pony Club Branch instruction including working rallies Pony Club polo rallies Pony Club/HPA courses at Branch, Area or National level Pony Club/HPA overseas training Pony Club/HPA lectures on horse management Pony Club/HPA veterinary talks HPA Development courses The HPA Development Committee and the Pony Club Polo Section Managers will consider participation in training and overall Branch activities as they nominate players for further development, selection for Young England Squads, overseas bursaries and individual prizes. Theresa Hodges Chairman Pony Club Polo David Woodd CEO HPA Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Pony Club Tests and Achievement Badges The Horse is 80% of the game of polo. Horsemanship and horsemastership are central to maximising the performance of a pony being trained for polo at any level. Those people who have a broader understanding of equitation will be in a far stronger position to choose a pony, to educate their pony, and to maintain its welfare. With that in mind, the Pony Club Polo Committee recommend that players are encouraged to participate in the Pony Club Tests and Achievement Badges the most relevant of which are set out below. Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Polo Basics Set Plays Throw In The game starts with a throw in on the centre line; teams will line up on the tee. In general when umpires restart the game with a throw in, they will throw towards the nearest sideline where the game stopped but at least 0 yards from the sidelines. If the ball goes over the sidelines they will throw in from where the ball went out, standing on the field of play with the players standing 5 yards back. At every throw in players should make contact before the ball leaves the umpire s hand, lining up in two lines with a gap between the teams. U 4 4 U Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Hit In In all set plays, no player may make contact with an opposing player prior to the ball being struck or struck at. When the ball goes over the backline, players must stop riding each other off. If an attacker hits the ball over the backline, the game is restarted with a hit from where the ball crossed over the backline. If the ball went out too close to the goal post, the hit will be taken 4 yards from the goal. If a defender hits the ball over the backline, a 60 yard penalty shall be awarded opposite where the ball went over the backline. U GJ 4 Backline 0 yards U 60 yards 4 NB. A hit in from the left side of the goal is a reflection of this. These are suggested player positions, they may vary between teams. 4 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Spot Hit Penalty 5a Should a defending player be fouled the penalty will usually be taken from the spot where the foul occurred. A penalty 5a may not be awarded within an opponent s 60 yard line. Centre Hit Penalty 5b A penalty on the half way line will usually be given to an attacking side fouled in their own half. Player positions for 5a and 5b are as shown below: Back Line 0 Yards 60 Yards 4 U 0 yards 4 U Half Way 5 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
60 Yard Hit Penalty 4 A penalty from the centre of the 60 yard line will be given to an attacking side fouled between the halfway line and the opposing 60 yard line, or when the foul is wide within the 60 yard line. This penalty is to be taken as a one hit penalty with the intent of scoring with that hit. Should the ball not reach the goal or the back line play will continue as normal, however, the attacking side may not use a full swing until the defending side have made a play on the ball. Safety 60 Penalty 6 A 60 yard penalty will be given opposite where the ball was hit over the back line by a defender. Should the ball go over the back line wider than 40 yards from the centre of the goal the ball will be placed on the 60 yard line 40 yards from the centre. GJ U 4 Back Line 0 yards 4 60 yards U 6 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
40 Yard Hit Penalty A penalty at 40 yards will be given to an attacking side fouled between the 60 and 40 yard lines. The penalty taker is only allowed one hit. Defending players may enter the field of play after the ball has been struck or struck at. They may not stand or enter between the goal posts. 0 Yard Hit Penalty A penalty will be given to an attacking side fouled within 40 yards of the goal. A penalty is either a spot hit where the foul occurred or a hit taken from the 0 yard line in front of the goal. The choice is given to the side fouled. If a 0 yard hit is chosen, defending players have no play and the attacker is only allowed one strike of the ball. If a spot hit is chosen defending players must be 0 yards back from the ball. They may enter the field of play after the ball has been struck or struck at. They may not stand or enter between the goal posts. The attacker is not restricted to one shot. GJ 4 Defenders may only make play on Penalty U Back Line 0 Yards 40 Yards 4 U 7 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Goal Judging It is a goal when the ball passes over and clear of the back line between the goal posts and if lofted between imaginary vertical lines projected from the inside edge of the two goal posts. Wave your flag if it s a goal. Raise a replacement ball in your spare hand if the ball goes wide of the goal and over the back line. Run out and place the ball on the field of play where the ball crossed over the line. Place the ball (as you would want it) on a good piece of grass not in a hole, inside the line, not on it and 4 yards clear of the goal posts should the ball cross close to the goal. Goal judges must wear bright clothing and a hard hat. Stand 0 yards behind the goal and move when necessary so that you the ball and the goal are in a straight line at all times. Chairs, ball boxes and spare goal posts must be at least 0 yards behind the goal. Bicycles and any other items must be left clear of the sidelines. 0 yards behind back line GJ Back Line GJ 8 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
General Polo Knowledge. You may not play with the left hand.. You may not leave the field without permission of the umpire, except to change pony, stick or a legitimate run off.. You may not appeal. 4. You may not smoke. 5. No player under the influence of drugs or alcohol may play matches or chukkas. 6. Only the team captain has the right to clarify a decision. 7. A player may not dispute an umpire s decision by word, action or gesture. 8. Coaching of players by radio or other means during play is forbidden. 9. Everybody must wear protective headgear when riding on or in the surround of the polo ground (Pony Club approved standard helmets for Pony Club Members). 0. A polo game is normally controlled by umpires, referee, a timekeeper, a scorer and a goal judge at either end.. A full sized ground is 00 yards by 00 yards if the ground is not boarded; 00 yards by 60 yards if boarded. The minimum length is 50 yards.. The goals shall be 8 yards apart and 0 foot high.. A safety zone exists about 0 yards back from the sidelines and 0 yards from the back line. 4. A stick holder may enter the safety zone but not the playing area. 5. A normal match is 4, 5 or 6 chukkas depending on the level of the polo. In Pony Club there may be, or chukkas. 6. Normal chukkas are 7 ½ minutes long; a bell is rung at 7 minutes and the chukka ends 0 seconds later on a second bell or when the ball goes out or a foul is committed. The foul is taken in the next chukka. The last chukka ends on the bell at 7 minutes unless the score is even and a result is required in which case the final 0 seconds are played. 7. The clock stops when the umpire blows his whistle and restarts when the ball is thrown in or when a player strikes or strikes at the ball after the umpire has called play. 9 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
8. Any objection to the score must be made during the match; no objection may be made after the match. 9. The side that scores the most goals, including those awarded on handicap, wins. 0. a) Play shall be stopped if, in the opinion of the umpire, a team is fouled. However, should the umpire feel he is preventing a definite advantage to the team fouled by stopping he may choose not to blow his whistle. b) Play will be stopped if a pony falls. It must trot up sound to continue. c) If a player is injured play should be stopped. d) Play will be stopped if the ball is trodden into the ground. e) Play will be stopped if the ball splits, however, if the ball splits and the larger part goes through the goal the goal shall stand. f) Play will not stop for broken tack if in the umpires opinion it is not dangerous for players or ponies.. If the two umpires disagree they should refer to the referee by radio or hand signal. If the umpires decide no foul the game will restart with a throw in towards the boards where the ball was when the whistle was blown.. If the two umpires disagree as to whether a goal is scored after consulting the goal judge, the benefit of the doubt should go to the defending team.. In a handicap game, the game will start with the difference in goals between the teams multiplied by the number of chukkas played, divided by 6, awarded to the lower handicapped team. 0 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Rules In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no?.).) a b Red hits ball from a) to b) and plays ball again.) Red hits the ball from a) to b) and plays the ball again. a b Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 4.) Blue backs the ball from a) to b) a b 5.) Red meets the ball 6.) Red plays ball on offside Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 7.) Blue slows down 5ft 8.) Blue slows down 5ft 9.) a.) Ride offs b.) a.) b.) c.) d.) c.) d.) Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 0.) Red meets the ball on offside crossing Blue s path causing him to slow down.) Red reaches out and plays ball (or hooks) without putting his ponies neck across the line.) Red comes fast and at a steep angle to the line causing Blue to slow down 4 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no?.) Blue enters right of way safely & Red accelerates into Blue 4.) a.) Red plays ball 4.) b.)i.) Blue plays ball on right side ii.) Red plays ball on left side straightening up onto line of ball 5 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? c.) Red plays the ball on the right hand side. d.) Red turns the ball across the right of way. NB. Instructors discuss distances and speed. 5.) Red sees Blue entering the right of way safely and accelerates coming over the line of the ball to play ball or hook on the near side 6 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 6.) Blue checks to avoid legitimate ride off 7.) Blue hits the ball past Red who is already in front of him travelling at the same speed, Red then plays the ball 8.) Red switches in front of Blue to play the ball on near side 9.) 7 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 0.) Red rides off Blue and plays ball on nearside.) Red hits the ball under the neck, crosses the line then returns to hit the ball on the offside while Blue has adjusted to the line of the ball.) Red pushes Blue across the line of the ball in front of an oncoming player 8 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no?.) Red taps the ball to Blue who moves out of the way. Red then taps the ball again towards Blue 4.) Red taps the ball under the neck to his number, Red then rides off Blue. Red taps the ball 5.) (Phase ) Red taps the ball and leaves it to Red (Phase ) Red taps the ball again 9 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 6.) Red plays the ball on the nearside 7.) 8.) Red catches Blue passing his ponies head under the swing of Blue 9.) Red hooks Blue 0 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
In all cases you are player Red number. Have you fouled? Yes or no? 0.) Red hooks Blue.) Red hooks Blue.) Red hooks Blue.) Red plays ball 4.) Red reaches in front of his own pony on the offside to play the ball 5.) Red reaches in front of his own pony on the offside to play the ball Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Horse Management Lecture Outline It is suggested that this lecture is given in winter or during a dismounted session. Tack care and cleaning Basic use of grooming kit and brush recognition Basic knowledge of tack fitting and bits Points of a pony Care and work of a pony at grass Elementary feeding and watering Basic fitness Knowledge of rug fitting, types of rugs and rug injuries Trailer checks Recommended Pony Club publications: Keeping a Pony at Grass The Manual of Horsemanship Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Pony Welfare Lecture Outline Basic lameness recognition Know how to treat small cuts and bruises Know some causes of laminitis Tell when a pony is off colour Know some symptoms of colic Explain flu and tetanus associated precautions Recognise when a pony needs re shoeing Know what to look for in a newly shod foot Know the rules relevant to pony welfare Recognise when to call the vet Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Polo Rules Relevant to Pony Welfare. Spurs must not have a shank longer than cm.. Whips must not be more than 48 inches long, including the tag.. All ponies are required by law to have a passport. 4. All playing ponies must have a current vaccination certificate against flu. 5. a) Ponies are expected to be well turned out. b) A pony must be protected by bandages and boots on all four legs and the tail must be tied up (except for umpiring) c) The following are not allowed to be used in a game: Any noseband, headpiece or head collar which incorporates wire or any sharp material A hackamore or bitless bridle Blinkers of any form of noseband or cheeks which distracts the vision of the pony The mouthpiece of any bit, single or double, less than ¼ inch thick d) A pony may not be played if: Lame Showing signs of distress Blind in one eye Not under proper control or showing vice If it has had any form of tracheotomy (tubing) Showing blood from the mouth, flanks or any other part If wearing a tongue tie 6. Only registered farriers are to be used. 7. A half inch removable stud may be worn on the outside heel of the hind shoes 8. Studs should be removed before the pony leaves the grounds 9. A pony may not be injected at the polo grounds except by a vet 0. Water should not be withheld for extended periods and should be offered to ponies after they have played. The ponies breathing must be settled and regular.. Muzzles should only be used for short periods to prevent a pony from feeding and may be used when travelling to prevent biting. In a normal match a pony may only play full chukkas, but in the course of a day it may be able to play single chukkas. 4 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Riding and Horsemastership Skills Under. Groom Pony. Pick out front hooves. Mount and dismount with stick and whip 4. Hold reins in one hand 5. Alter girth & stirrups when mounted (foot should be in stirrup) 6. Walk to canter 7. Canter to stop 8. Canter, stop, turn right, canter 9. Canter, stop, turn left, canter 0. Ride off similar size pony/player. Meet right hand to right hand at canter. Wash down and cool off pony. Lead a pony in and out of a trailer 4. Identify correct canter lead on another player Under 0 Under Under 5 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Riding and Horsemastership Skills Under 6. Tack Up. Under Under 4 Under 5 Under 6. Bandage for polo and put up tail.. Put in studs. 4. Tighten and loosen girth with one hand when mounted 5. Halt to canter, right lead 6. Halt to canter, left lead 7. Canter figure of eight change lead, notice & correct when incorrect 8. ¾ Pace stop, turn left & right pirouette 9. Moderate adult ride off 0. Ride and lead two ponies. 6 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Stick and Ball Skills Off Side Forehand Walk Canter Off Side Backhand Near Side Forehand Near Side Backhand Off Side Forehand Hook Off Side Backhand Hook Near Side Forehand Hook Near Side Backhand Hook Off Side Forehand Under the Neck Off Side Forehand Cut Shot Off Side Backhand Tail Shot Off Side Backhand Open Shot 7 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Stick and Ball Skills Dribble Circle Right Off Side Open Hand Walk Canter Dribble Circle Right Off Side Back of Hand Dribble Circle Left Near Side Back of Hand Dribble Circle Left Near Side Open Hand Stop Turn the ball right plus 80 metre hit Stop Turn the ball left plus 80 metre hit Avoid Hook Off Side Avoid Hook Near Side Near Side Forehand under the Neck Near Side Forehand Cut Shot Near Side Backhand Open Near Side Backhand Tail Hook from Behind Hook from Behind and back ball 8 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Assessment Day Suggested outline: Junior under Morning Meet 0:5 0:0 Horsemastership skills :0 Riding and stick and ball skills :0 Lunch :0 Horse management lecture 4:0 Pony welfare lecture 5:0 Finish Senior plus Afternoon Meet :5 :0 Horse management lecture 4:0 Pony welfare lecture 5:0 Tea 6:00 Horsemastership skills 7:00 Riding and stick and ball skills 8:0 Finish 9 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Rules Answers. Yes 6. No. Yes 7. No. No 8. Yes 4. No 9. Yes 5. Yes 0. No 6. No. Yes 7. Yes. Yes 8. No. Yes 9. a) Yes 4. No b) No 5. Yes c) Yes 6. No d) Yes 7. Yes 0. Yes 8. Yes. No 9. Yes. Yes 0. No. Yes. No 4. a) Yes. Yes b) No. Yes c) No 4. No d) Yes 5. Yes 5. No 0 Druids Lodge Polo & The Pony Club
Notes