A little trick in hitting better away or open angles on your backshots is to move your horse’s head a little away from the side you are swinging.

Hooking is the second best alternative in the list of defensive plays. If we place our self in position properly as soon as the play turns, we should be able to get advantage on our opponent with a ride-off and have the ball on our free side to hit.

Christian demonstrates how to execute a nearside shot without crossing over the line of the ball, a common foul.

Sometimes I hear people being taught to always turn away from your backhanders with respect to the line of the ball. I strongly suggest you continue straight, look, and then your decision should be obvious and your shots will be more powerful.

One of the most common topics that make the desired agenda by students in my clinics is the dreaded near-side forehander. The following tips will help you make the best of the weakest shot in polo

This player, similar to their opposing number one must be highly disciplined to proper positioning; carefully watching for any offensive drives being mounted and quickly moving into a position of advantage to defend the attack.

One of the most difficult shots to learn in polo is the tail shot, especially on the near-side. If you have been handicapped with short arms and long backed horses, a tail shot may not even exist in your inventory. There is no question that gorilla arms and short backed horses are two assets in executing tail shots effectively. But for those of you with ancestors that took to two feet several millennium ago, there is a technique to still accomplish the near impossible.

The primary advantage of the wooden horse is that it allows you to practice your swing without worrying about the complex equation that is the horse.

Knowing how to set a horse up properly for the proper lead or a lead change is a real asset for both reasons of maneuverability and your own safety.

One of the benchmarks of a amateur developing proper riding skill is learning how to properly execute the walk to canter transition.