The four basic shots

Every shot in polo is one of four, defined by which side of the pony it is on and which way it goes.

The key points

Offside forehand: your bread and butter, ball on the right, hit forward.
Offside backhand: ball on the right, hit backwards — the defensive staple.
Nearside forehand: ball on the left, across the pony. Hard, and risky.
Nearside backhand: ball on the left, hit back. The hardest of the four.

The four basic shots, 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.