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| Term | Definition |
| Back Shot | Any of a number of strokes hitting the ball in a backward direction. Can be performed from either side of the horse. |
| Chukker | A period of play lasting seven minutes. |
| Foul | A rule infraction that results in a penalty. |
| Game | A game consists of six periods called chukkers, each seven minutes in duration. A period of four minutes is allowed between chukkers to change horses. |
| Goal | The scoring of a point when the ball is hit through the vertical goalposts. |
| Handicap | The rating of the polo player ranges from a -2 to a 10. The teams are matched to play each other, depending on the total of the players handicaps. |
| Hook | Blocking the opponents mallet with your own by hooking it. |
| Knock-in | The returning of the ball to play after it is knocked out of bounds over an opponents end line. |
| Lead | The right or left leg that the pony is leading with. Left turns call for a left lead; right turns a right lead. |
| Line of the Ball | An imaginary line created by the travel of the ball. Most fouls are caused by violating the right of way of an opponent who has established the line, much like driving a car and yielding to the right of way. |
| Near Side | The left side of the horse. |
| Off Side | The right side of the horse. |
| Penalty 1 | The most severe of penalties called on the most dangerous actions on the field. Awards a point to the team that was fouled. |
| Penalty 2, 3, 4 | Penalties that allow for a free shot of the ball at the goal by the fouled team. Penalty defines where on the field the penalty is taken from. From 30, 40, and 60 yards respectfully. |
| Position | Each player performs a task on the team ranging from the predominantly offensive number 1 position to the predominantly defensive number 4 position. |
| Referee | A third person off the field who settles foul call disputes between the two umpires. |
| Ride Off | The physical pushing of your opponents pony by your own. Safely done when the ponies are head to head. |
| Ringer | A team player who is rated to low for the level he is capable of playing. |
| Safety | When a team knocks a ball over their own end line. A free shot goal is awarded to opposing team from 60 yards out. |
| Throw-in | A tossing of the ball, by the umpire, between the lined up teams. Starts the game and is how play resumes after each score. |
| Umpires | The two officials on the field, in striped shirts, who enforce the rules. |
| USPA | The U.S. Polo Association (who writes the rules and oversees the sport). |