Player Information

Cheshire Polocrosse Players' Pack

MRS is the home of the Cheshire Polocrosse Centre, offering riders without their own horses the chance to have a go at this exciting sport! Polocrosse at MRS is available to all who can walk, trot and canter independently no matter what age they are.

The Cheshire Polocrosse players pack contains information about the game in general and what we do here at Mobberley Riding School.

We currently have three groups who train regularly:
• The juniors who range from 8 years old to 14 years old and they ride on a Sunday afternoon with Becca and have been training all winter no matter what the weather.
• The seniors are a group who have been playing Polocrosse for a number of years now and are just starting training again on a Saturday afternoon with Amy G. Training in the field will start again for seniors as soon as the weather permits.
• The adult group which, until the weather gets better, has been combined with the seniors on Saturdays to offer them the chance to have regular training also.

Monday night courses are also available in 3 week sessions these run from 6pm till 8pm for seniors and adults and a slightly earlier time of 5.30pm till 7.30pm for juniors

At Cheshire Polocrosse we not only want to offer Polocrosse training both on foot and on horses, but also we would like to make the group more social. For example, going to watch Polocrosse tournaments together in the summer and trips out as a group. To be able to achieve this social side we would like players to commit to training regularly and to welcome new players into the group. We want a friendly fun atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Equipment

Most of the equipment you need will be standard equine gear,
 Hats- All riders must wear a current BSI standard hat. This is either a PAS015 or EN1384. For the first few lessons riders may borrow a hat from us. It is then advisable to purchase your own kite marked headwear. Please note if your hat does not comply with the current standards you will not be allowed to ride in it.
 Footwear- Riders should wear footwear with a smooth sole and small defined heel. Trainers, wedge heels, ribbed soles or wellingtons are not suitable. We have a selection of boots available to borrow for those riders not yet owning their own.
 Clothing- Please wear comfortable and flexible clothing which is neither too loose or restrictive. Shorts or cropped trousers are not suitable.
 Gloves- We recommend these are worn.
 Back protectors- These are optional in Polocrosse. Please note we do not have them available to borrow.
 Personal accident insurance- We strongly recommend you take out your own personal accident insurance.

Specialist Polocrosse equipment can be borrowed from us until you decide to invest in your own. We have racquets and balls to use during your Polocrosse lessons.

Within the UK there are presently two places you can purchase racquets and balls;
• www.equineweb.com • www.polo-x-treme.com
Racquets – New racquets will take some time to settle in and may change the way they ‘throw’ because the net loosens up. Some racquets are ‘slow’ or ‘hooky’ meaning it is difficult to throw the ball with them, but also difficult to knock a ball out of them. Some are ‘quick’ and easy to throw with, but also easy to knock the ball out of. The lengths of racquets is pretty standard so may be too long for you. The racquet can be shortened, but cannot be lengthened again so be sure you want it shorter before you adjust it!

Introduction to the Game

A polocrosse team consists of 6 players, but this is split in to 2 sections, with sections alternating play in each chukka. The goals that each section scores are added together to make up the total team score – the team with the most goals wins. In some tournaments section games are played (‘teams’ of 3), and effectively 4 ‘teams’ play in each game in 2 entirely separate matches.

Each player is designated a number (1, 2 or 3) which determines their position and their role in the game. New players will move around the positions as they develop until they find one they (or maybe their horse) prefer. Even then you are likely to move around the positions due to necessity! You are allowed to change positions during a game, but only between chukkas, not actually during the play.

The game (and each new chukka) starts with a line out in the middle of the pitch. This is also how the game re-starts after each goal is scored. Under special circumstances a new chukka may start from where the last chukka finished – but this will be made clear by the umpires at the time.

The pitch is split in to 3 zones; 2 goal zones (sometimes called penalty areas) and the midfield area. Only the attacking No.1 and the defending No.3 are allowed to stay in the penalty area, any other players may enter but must immediately leave and must not interfere with play in any way. The midfield area is for all players.

The game is controlled by 2 umpires on horses whose word is final – no arguing!