Accessories

Clothing

Traditionally white jeans os breaches are worn. On tournaments players in one team have the same colour-design T-shirt, preferably with collar and with the position number on t e back and chest. Gloves are frequently used, some players use them on both hands, other don’t use them all. Wrist (elbow) bands are usually good not only for the support but also for the protection when somebody get hooked.

Helmet

Research has shown that head injuries are the most common equine sport injury .The structure of a polo helmet should provide to absorb a shock to the head resulting from hitting the ground or from a ball or mallet, thus preventing trauma to the head. Outer shell is made of an extra thick layer of fibreglass, with an inner neoprene lining, a hard cardboard brim, and an ajustable curb. When purchasing a new helmet it's best to try it on for proper fit. Too big easily can be lost , too small causes headache which can be very unpleasent after a while…

Face Mask

A face mask is a piece of protective gear constructed so that it will not come apart, dislodge from the helmet, or cause additional injury to the face. The USPA recommends wearing a helmet with an attached face mask that will protect a player from a hit to the mask at 100 mph, the average speed of a well-hit ball by a high-goal player. Many players complain that they cannot see through the face mask or that the face mask may cause a neck injury. According to the USPA, there is currently no information available to support this theory.

Goggles

These eye protectors are required to withstand the impact of various racquetballs traveling 90 mph. The frames are required to survive the force of a racket at a velocity of 25 mph.

Knee Guards

Made from thick leather, worn above the boots. They provide good protection against bumps, mallet hooks, flying ball etc.

Boots

Made from strong leather ( buffalo), must be comfortable and durable. They should be brown and knee high. Polo boots has zipper usually at the front.

The mallet

Polo mallets range in size from 49 to 54 inches in length. The stalks used for polo mallet shafts mainly come from Malaysia and Indonesia called Manau or Batu cane, but some players use graphite shaft. The "whippiness" of a mallet refers to the flexibility of its shaft. Varying degrees of shaft flexibility provide increased control. Polo players have individual preferences for the amount of whippiness they need to properly time the hitting of a polo ball. A more flexible shaft allows better hitting distance but less control when in close. Weight of the cane is usually around 500 gr. The cane is attached to the mallet head, a cigar shaped piece of wood cut from a Tipa tree which is found only in northern Argentina and parts of Brazil and Paraguay. Polo mallet heads are available in a variety of weights and shapes. The regular cigars’ weight are beetween 160 and 230 grams. The grip of the cane is covered with adherent band as the tennis racket, and the sling at the end of the mallet helps to hold it and prevent not to drop it. Polo players have individual preferences regarding the lenghts, flexibility and weight of their mallets. Players choose their mallets usually according to the pony’s height or to their regular hit.

The wip

The player hold the long whip ( usually 41 or bit more inches in length) in his left hand together with the reins. With the movement of the wrist the whip can be used to give help to the pony.

Shots:

Off Side Forehand

Swing the mallet forward or laterally on the pony's off side (right side). This shot is the most common because it produces the most powerful hit.

Near Side Forehand

Swing the mallet forward or laterally on the pony's near side ( left side).

Off Side Backhand

Swing the mallet in the opposite direction of travel (backward) on the pony's off side.

Near Side Backhand

Swing the mallet in the opposite direction of travel (backward) on the pony's near side. A difficult shot to execute properly, but once mastered, it is the second most powerful stroke in use adding great flexibility to a player's ability to attack the ball.

Neck Shot

Swing the mallet under the pony's neck on the offside or nearside of the mount. On a nearside neck shot the ball is hit with a flick of the wrist to clear the ball or to set up a shot from a different angle.

Offside Tail Shot

Swing the mallet behind and under the pony's rump. The ball is hit with a flick of the wrist to clear the ball when it is behind the pony.

Offside Belly Shot

Hitting the ball on the offside so that it travels underneath the pony's belly.