Change Ends
Probably the First thing the newcomer needs to know about the game of polo is that unlike, in football or other sports, the players change ends after each goal, rather than at half time.

Right of Way
The right of way or "line of the ball" - is an imaginary line along which the ball travels - it represents a right of way for the player who last struck the ball. There are strict rules governing the other teams access to

Chukkas
A game will consist of six chukkas, or periods each of seven minutes in duration, when the bell is rung for the first time. The game then continues until either the bail goes out of play or for another thirty seconds when the bell is rung again and the game stops wherever the ball may be. There are three-minute intervals to change ponies between each chukka, except at half time when it is five minutes.

The Third Man
If there is any doubt about the two umpires, decision, they defer to the Referee, also known as the Third Man, who sits and watches the game from the side.

Fouls
Are defined to ensure the safety of both player and pony. A player following the ball on its exact line has the "right of way" over all other players. Any other player who crosses the player on the right of way close enough to be dangerous commits a foul. Penalties vary according to the degree of the danger and closeness of the cross.

Penalties
The following penalties may be enforced depending on the severity of the foul. A free hit towards the goal is awarded to the team when a foul is committed by the opposition. The hit is taken from a set distance depending on the decision of the umpires. Penalty 1: A goal is given if the cross is dangerous or deliberate in the vicinity of the goal. The ball is then thrown in ten yards in front of the goal without ends being changed.
Penalty 2: A free hit from 30 yards to an undefended goal
Penalty 3: A free hit from 40 yards to an undefended goal
Penalty 4: A free hit from 60 yards to an undefended goal.
Penalty 5A: A free hit from anywhere on the ground
Penalty 5B: A free hit from the centre of the ground.
Penalty 6: Also known as a Safety This is awarded when a defending player hits the ball over his own backline.
This shot is taken 60 yards from the backline opposite the point where the ball crossed. No defender can be nearer than 30 yards from the ball when it is played.

Hook
Players may not "hook" an opponent's stick unless he is on the same side of the opponents pony as the ball.
Dangerous riding or rough handling is not allowed - a player may ride an opponent off the line of the ball but must not charge in at an angle.

Fair Play
The idea of this is fair play - to give each team an equal opportunity to take advantage of the direction of the sun or wind or at least not to be disadvantaged by it.