Despite what Mr. Barry White will tell you – there can be too much of a good thing.
I’m very open to physical contact in polo. In fact, the more bloody we get games to be, the happier I am as a little polokin. However – much like many of our parole officers have indicated – it has to be like-to-like contact that is understood by both parties.
9.1 – Body-to-Body contact:
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Shoulder-to-shoulder contact and the use of forearms is permitted.
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Hooking, holding or otherwise restraining another player by grabbing that player, their clothing or any of their equipment using hands, elbows, feet or mallets is not permitted. Hooking is defined as using a mallet to restrain a bike or player. Holding is grabbing a player, their clothing or their bike with your hand or elbow, a.k.a “chicken winging.”
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Pushing with the hands is not permitted.
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A “Cheap Shot” defined as excessively pushing or checking someone from behind is not permitted. Physical blows about the neck or head, any punching or kicking will also be penalized.
Let’s look at each of these rules indidually:
Shoulder-to-shoulder contact and the use of forearms is permitted.
Ok – this is self explanatory. Use your shoulders and forearms. Got it. This leads into the second point:
Hooking, holding or otherwise restraining another player by grabbing that player, their clothing or any of their equipment using hands, elbows, feet or mallets is not permitted. Hooking is defined as using a mallet to restrain a bike or player. Holding is grabbing a player, their clothing or their bike with your hand or elbow, a.k.a “chicken winging.”
So, much as we saw with the goalie rules, you can’t restrain another player via grabbing, hooking, or holding – using your mallet or otherwise.
Something to note here: the previous section of this rule stated that you can use your forearm for contact. This part of the rule specifically states that you cannot use your elbow to “chicken wing” another player – something that is very tempting to do as a player, but isn’t allowed, children. 
Pushing with the hands is not permitted.
Ok. Another self-explanatory one. If you use your grubby mitts to push someone around on the court, you’re a jerk. That’s that.
A “Cheap Shot” defined as excessively pushing or checking someone from behind is not permitted. Physical blows about the neck or head, any punching or kicking will also be penalized.
This part of the rule around body-to-body contact deserves pause. I think what this rule is saying – though it may not be worded so well – is that excessive pushing & checking from behind is not permitted. The other way to read it is that excessive pushing or checking from behind is not permitted (suggesting that non-excessive pushing and checking from behind is legit – which it shouldn’t be).
The next part of the rule makes sense – physical contact around the neck or head, punching and kicking, etc., will get you in trouble.
So, to review:
Shoulder to shoulder contact: OK
Use of forearm: OK
Use of elbow: NOT OK
Holding, hooking or grabbing to restrain a player: NOT OK
Use of hands: NOT OK
Using your mallet, legs, hands, or teeth to attach the neck or head: NOT OK.
