USPA Bulletin

Advanced plays

Try ‘em if you can

From the Archives:

In September 1983, then editor Ami Shinitzky sat down with 6-goaler Gabriel Donoso and 5-goaler Joe Muldoon III to discuss advanced plays. Donoso was considered one of Chile’s best players of all time. He died in November 2006 at age 46, following a fall while playing in Pilar, outside Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Oh No, It’s Not Your Line Anymore

Black No. 3 hits the ball up field. The White Back and Black No. 1 are after it in a ride-off. White Back now has the ball on his right; he arcs to the left to insure that Black No. 1 won’t ride him off across the line. His intention now is to arc back to the line and back the ball. But, at the apex of the arc, Black No. 1

gives up the fight and continues ahead. Meanwhile, Black No. 2 charges up the line and when White Back arcs back to the line alone and unaware of the setup–you guessed it–he fouls. (See Figure 1)

Figure 1 from hitting the ball is a good play in itself, if you can also come up with the ball you’ve done better still. The play to try here, assuming that the ball is between two players, is to bump and immediately separate while reaching with the mallet for the ball. Don’t look for the ball; use your instincts and fish for it. You’ll come up with it more often than you think.

It’s All in the Timing

You are a Back. A long ball has just passed you. You look back to see the opposing No. 1 racing like mad to beat you to the ball while the rest of the players are a good distance behind. If you are reasonably close to the ball, here is a play to consider: Slow down with the ball on your right side. From the corner of you right

eye, watch for the oncoming player. Once he has reached the rump of your horse, tap the ball to your left under the neck or the belly, turn in the same direction and run with it. If you tap it too soon, however, the No. 1 can simply move to your left and pick up the ball. But when the timing is right, the No. 1 will sail on by, giving you the chance to look flashy.

Figure 2

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Never Say Die

Although a ride-off that prevents the opponent

Figure 3 4 Figure 4

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The Knee is the Key

When coming rapidly for a ride-off, the opponent is likely to check up trying to force either a crossing or dangerous ride-off penalty. You look at the front of his horse, trying to gauge the correct speed and timing for contact, but you find yourself in front of his horse all too often. The answer, say the pros, is to look hard at the opponent’s knee and let it be the reference for your move. It’s precise and manageable.

The Fake-and-Steal Play

You are Black No. 1 and coming down along the sideboards with the ball ahead, closer to the center. The opposing Back is rushing to ride you off and, he hopes, back the ball. Now comes the fake—the cat-andmouse game, that is. Check up some, so will he; check up some more, he’ll follow. Now add some spice—move slightly closer to the boards. Yes, he is right there with you watching you so hard that he tunes out the ball, now left open for your No. 2 to dive for the steal. The play is perfectly legal and good polo to boot. (See Figure 2)

The One-Stroke Hook-and-Back

This one takes practice and care. If you just miss it, it is no great loss, but if you foul you play the price twice. You are following an opponent who is about to strike the ball up field. Line up behind him just a hair to the right so as not to risk a cross hook. Also, don’t get too close, lest your horse’s front legs will tangle up with his. Now, in one motion and leaning well forward, raise your mallet, hook the raised mallet of the opponent upward and then bring yours down for the backhand. The ball should be there on your right if your horse was positioned well and the stroke properly timed. Good luck.

The Knock-in Insurance

The Black Back is hitting in. His No. 2 is to his left as he should be. The opposing No. 1 to his right is hoping to meet the ball. The knock-in is disappointing. It went past White No. 1 but not enough to reach Black No 2. White No. 1 turns into the line with the ball on his near side so as not to cross the right of way of the presumably panicked Back who must come from behind ... Now, see what the big boys might do. The Back will keep his distance while his No. 2 will ride in to meet the ball. Can you hear the whistle? Of course you can! White No. 1 tried to take the ball on his near side and thus automatically fouled the player meeting the ball. The ball is moved to midfield and a bad situation did not turn out so badly after all. (See Figure 3)

The Divide-and-Conquer Play

You are in hot pursuit of the ball, with an opponent (White) closing from the right to ride you off. You look ahead and see two other players in an embrace. Use them. Time yourself to brush near them just as the other player would have reached you so that the two players in front serve as an obstacle. The opponent trying to ride you off will have to veer off. While he’s circling around the “screen,” go to the ball and make the play of your choice. (See Figure 4) •