Polo Tip #24: Playing Smart — Recognize A Lost Play And Ride To The Next Play

You are running after someone carrying the ball down the field. They are almost at the ball and you are trailing ten or more yards behind. Consider trying to anticipate which direction they will try to hit and plot a better course to that next play as opposed to following the footprints of the player you are pursuing. Be careful to look around in all directions before you take to your new course and be aware of new angles that may come into play as you progress down the field. Once you learn to cut corners so to speak, you may vary some from the existing line of the ball. You may get into better position more often, but you may also be somewhat off the line of the ball, and will have to re-adjust to whatever the current line and associated right of ways.