Polocrosse is a sport of the equestrian discipline which can be best described as a combination of lacrosse and polo. Though the sport has been played for several years, the modern version of the sport was developed in Australia only in the mid-20th century.
The sport is played on a field between two teams with six players on each team. The field measures 60 x 160yards, split into three zones, 30 yard goal line on both ends and a 100yard middle zone.
All players move around the field on a horseback. Players use fiberglass or cane sticks with a threaded net on one end to carry the ball. The ball used is 4in in diameter made of sponge rubber.
A match is played in periods called chukkas. A chukka lasts for 6-8 minutes, and a match can be played for 4, 6, or 8 chukkas. The team of six is split into two sections of three players each, with each section alternating play during each chukka. The three players play in three different positions, attack, midfield and defense. The objective of the sport is to carry the ball with the players sticks and throw it through the opponent's goalposts. The team that scores the most goals wins the match.
Similar Sports
- polo (horse)
- Horseball — The sport is like a combination of Polo, Rugby and Basketball, played on horseback where a ball is carried and shot through a high net to score.
- Lacrosse — a team game, originally played by North American Indians, in which the ball is thrown, caught, and carried with a long-handled stick with a piece of shallow netting at one end.
- Pato — a cross between Polo and Basketball played on horseback. It is the national sport of Argentina.
- Buzkashi — a Central Asian sport like polo in which riders on horses attempt to drag a goat carcass toward the goal. There is a variant known as kokpar which is quite similar.
Related Pages
- List of all sports involving horses
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports