The neck shot and the tail shot

Two shots that change the direction of play without turning the pony: one under the neck, one behind the tail.

The key points

Under the neck sends the ball across the front of the pony to the other side.
The tail shot goes behind, and is the way out when you are being ridden off.
Both need the ball slightly ahead or behind you, never directly underneath.

The neck shot and the tail shot, drawn on a polo pitch

In the app this play is animated, and you can spin the pitch and read the rule behind it.

See it move

See this play animated on the pitch, and test yourself on the rules behind it.

Downloadon the App Store Get iton Google Play

Every rule here is stated in our own words, with short quoted extracts from the HPA Blue Book 2026 and Green Book 2025 and a link to the book itself. Polo Rules Test is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association. In any dispute the published rulebook governs.