I always say, if you want to hit better, you need to ride better. With that said, let me give you a simple exercise that will improve your hitting immediately.
Polo Tip #2: Proper Transitions – Huh?
One of the benchmarks of a amateur developing proper riding skill is learning how to properly execute the walk to canter transition.
Polo Tip #3: Right Lead? What Is That?
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.
Polo Tip #4: Proper Stirrup Length
the current style has evolved to shorter stirrups, in the show world as well. This allows the player a little more stability at speed and the ability to raise up into your leg to achieve and maintain the proper hitting position.
Polo Tip #5: Proper Mallet Length
Choose the mallet size that allows you the best opportunity to make all of your shots on both sides of the horse, without placing yourself at any more risk than our wonderful sport already provides.
Polo Tip #6: How Thick Is The Line Of The Ball?
Picture the most recent path of the ball or the line as the width of a center line of a road. About six inches wide just for a visual. Now walk your horse alongside of this line and stop by the ball. Now this line, the most recent path of the ball continues either all the way across or up and down the field. Now if you are not hitting too close or two far away from your horse, you will be taking up a lane about 3 to four feet. Assuming you are on your off-side, from the line to your left stirrup is about 3 to four feet. So this lane, not line, lane, is what the right of way is all about. It accommodates your swing and your horse.
Polo Tip #7: Playing The Number One Position
The “Attack Position”, the Number One needs to be a disciplined player who can anticipate his team breaking to offense and get into a reasonable position to be able to accept a passing shot coming from teammates.
Polo Tip #8: A Tail Shot? What Kind of Alcohol Do You Use For That?
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.
Polo Tip #9: Playing Position Number Four — The Back
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.
Polo Tip #10: Near-side Forehander
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