Backshot - backhand swing, changing the flow of play by sending the ball in the opposite direction.

Bowl in - when the umpire starts or resumes a polo match by rolling the ball down the center of a lineup of players, same as throw in.

Bump - when a player directs his pony into the side of an opponent's pony.

Check and turn - to slow the pony and turn safely.

Chukker - term used for period of play in polo, seven and a half minutes long, there are six chukkers in a polo match.

Flagman - an unofficial goal observer appointed to signal by waiving a flag over the head if a goal is scored, or under the waist if no goal.

Field - usually 300 yards long by 160 yards wide and outlined by sideboards.

Goal - anytime the ball crosses the line between the goal posts, regardless of who (including ponies) knocks it through.

Handicap - team play is handicapped on the basis of ability. A team's handicap is the total of its players' goal ratings. The team with the lower handicap is awarded the difference in goals at the start of the match.

Hands - unit of measure for the height of a horse, one hand equals about four inches.

Hook - catching an opponent's mallet in swing below the level of the horse's back, to leave or turn the ball for a teammate.

Knock in - after the ball crosses the backline, the defending team knocks the ball back into play from their own backline.

Leave it - to ride past the ball so that the teammate behind can hit it.

Line of the ball - the imaginary line produced by the ball when it is hit or deflected.

Made pony - a polo pony that is well trained for polo and has been played for some time.

Mallet head - the part of the mallet used to strike the ball, the wide face of the head is used to strike the ball.

Neck shot - hitting the ball under the horse's neck.

Officials - two mounted umpires do most of the officiating, with a referee at midfield having the final say in any dispute between the umpires.

Offside - the right hand side of the horse.

Pass - to hit the ball forward or laterally to a teammate.

Penalty - numbered from 1 to 10, a free hit is awarded to the fouled, from a set distance determined by the severity of the foul committed.

Pony goal - when a pony causes the ball to go through the goal posts.

Positions - there are four players on a team, numbered 1 through 4, each with different responsibilities.

Ride off - two riders may make contact and attempt to push each other off the line to prevent an opponent from striking the ball.

Safety - also known as Penalty 6, a defending player hits the ball over his own back line.

Sideboards - short boards along the sidelines of the field to help keep the ball in play.

Stick - the polo mallet.

Stick and ball - personal practice time.

Sudden death - overtime play when the score is tied at the end of the last regular chukker, the first team to score wins.

Swing - hitting at the ball with the mallet using one of four basic shots; forehander, backhander, neckshot, tailshot.

Tack - all the equipment used on a pony.

Tail shot - hitting the ball behind and under the horse's rump.

Third man - the referee sitting at the sidelines, if the two umpires on the field are in disagreement, the third man makes the final decision.

Throw in - when the umpire starts or resumes the match, he rolls the ball down the center of a lineup of players and mounts.

Time out - an umpire may call a time out when a foul is committed, an accident occurs, or at his or her discretion, a player may only call a time out if he has broken tack or is injured.

Turn - to backhand hit the ball away from the goal being defended.

Umpires - two mounted officials, one for each side of the field.

Wraps - the protective bandages the ponies wear on their legs.