INSTRUCTORS FORUM
Timing isn’t everything A strong riding seat allows you to swing slowly
SERGIO LLAMERA
By Lt. Col. Faiz Siddiqui
When a player is capable of remaining in the half seat, keeping the swing slow is not a problem.
‘Don’t use force, just let it drop’ is probably the first instruction a new polo player receives when picking up the polo mallet for the first time. For this new polo player, however, trying not to ‘kill’ the ball remains a distant dream for many years. An interesting aspect of this entire ordeal is that while beginners are busy forcing the force out of the swing, they consider themselves victims of temptation. The only thing that stands between them and a slow and smooth swing is the desire to hit the ball hard and long. This belief is reinforced by several more experienced players when they say to just let the mallet drop. As if there is nothing more needed to accomplish this other than a plain intention. As a result, the novice continues to see it as a mental roadblock without looking into the physical
14 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
and technical aspect of it. However, once you try and analyze the process in a bit of detail, you realize that is not the case. There is an important aspect of swing that plays a vital role in allowing a player to swing the mallet slow and smooth. Timing is overrated A full polo swing has three main parts: the preswing, brace position and downswing. Brace position is when a player is in the half seat with a straight arm fully-stretched [back and behind the shoulder] with the body parallel to the line of the ball. A lot of emphasis is put on the timing of a shot, which is not incorrect but is basically just a matter of execution provided that the prerequisite of the swing (i.e., brace position) is achieved in time and retained for the desired duration.
