Ed Olver. Wang Jing / China Daily

Polo Talk

Planning to go to a polo match? Here are some terms to help keep up your end of the conversation:

Back shot: Making a backhand swing to change the flow of play by send 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.

Check and turn: To slow the pony and turn safely.

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

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: A team's rating on the basis of ability－it's 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.