I really enjoy these helmet cam practices. Watching these, it’s very easy to feel yourself slip into “game mode.” I’ll start off watching them very dispassionately: “Nice backhand there,” “Where’s he going with that?” etc. But very quickly I’ll find myself much more absorbed, totally within the game. “Look for the hook” becomes, more simply, “hook hook hook!”
Articles By: Caleb
Examples of Fouls While Turning The Ball, Blocking, And During Throw-In
This video, edited by the Hurlingham Polo Association, illustrates common polo fouls encountered while turning the ball, blocking, and at the throw-in. The video illustrates not only the actual fouls (taken from tournament footage) but also provides examples of how the same maneuvers can be accomplished, or when they can be accomplished, without fouling.
Even Princes Fall
Everyone falls eventually — as polo players know all too well! After Prince Harry’s much publicized, if minor, fall this past Sunday in the Hamptons I thought I would take the opportunity to point out Tom Goodspeed’s excellent article on knowing when and how to make an “emergency dismount” from a moving horse as safely as possible.
Winning The Knock-In
Learning the proper strategy for this play is not difficult and has a high payout — it can set the tone for the chukker or even the game. Blowing through your opponents’ defense, or conversely, presenting a solid and consistent defense of your own during the knock-in can be a major psychological victory for your team, which can continue to pay dividends throughout the entire game.
Video Of The Four Basic Polo Swings
Here you have the opportunity to watch a pro perform the four foundational swings of polo as many times as you like, in slow motion, from the comfort of your computer desk! These videos cover the offside forehand, offside backhand, nearside forehand, and nearside backhand.
Practicing with Ellerstina: High-Def Helmet Camera
This is really cool. The Ellerstina polo team (winners of the 2008 Argentine Open) mounted a high-definition camera on one of their player’s helmets. I’ve heard the player with the camera is supposed to be Facundo Pieres but I don’t know.
Polo By The Numbers
This one-page flier covers numbers like chukker length, number of chukkers per game, field size, player handicaps, mallet length, just about anything you can put a number to.
Improving Your Polo Game – Video 3 of 3
In this video Claire moves away from stick work and onto horsemanship. She shows us the proper way to warm a polo pony up, how to check-up, and how to turn. Additionally, she explains how to maintain your balance and grip while in two-point. She also shows us some more advanced techniques like flying lead changes and rollbacks.
Nacho Figueras’ Guide to Polo
How would you explain polo to someone who is watching the sport for the first time? What are the responsibilities of the four players on the field? When are fouls called? How exactly does a polo player find him or herself on a polo team? Do you own the horses or does the team own the horses? What’s the difference between low-, medium-, and high-goal polo? How do you achieve a higher handicap?
Given that you model for Ralph Lauren, does polo have spectator etiquette when it comes to what to wear? Do polo players balance the glamorous aspect of the sport with concentrating on their game?
Improving Your Polo Game – Video 2 of 3
In this video, again from HorseTV.com, Claire Tomlinson moves from foot mallets and wooden horses to real horses and long mallets. She discusses common faults like running over the ball, swinging too hard, and crossing the line during backhanders. Later, she demonstrates the basics of polo horsemanship — balance, the half-seat, leg aids, lead changes, and turning.