USPA Bulletin Horse feature

Devil is in the details

Preparation and anticipation are key to winning polo games

By Martin Estrada

There are two things very important to the game: preparation and anticipation, and they go hand in hand. Preparation begins before the first ball is hit. It doesn’t matter how high of a handicap you have, almost all players can benefit from coaching to improve on this. Without preparation and anticipation, you start late and play catch up. This happens at all levels of polo, and can lead to a goal for the other team.

A lot of players won’t start moving until the ball is being hit, but that is already too late. For instance, in lower-goal polo, during a knock in, players on both teams will often face the horses in different directions and either stand or walk, waiting to see where the ball is going to go.

If your team in knocking in, instead, come in closer to the hitter, around 30- or 40-yards away so it is easier for the hitter to reach you, and create momentum going forward.

Plan ahead so you know what direction the hitter is going to go. But keep in mind, things can change. The hitter might see an opening to the left, so will decide at the last second to hit to that opening. You have to be ready. The team should come up with different scenarios so the hitter has a few options and can choose what works best at that time.

If your team is defending the knock-in, pay attention. Be alert before the umpire says play. Anticipate where the ball is going to go and who will receive the pass. The ball moves very fast but if you stay with the opponent you are matched up with, you can have a pretty good idea of where his horse is going to go. It is important to follow the common polo concept of going to the man first before trying to get the ball.

The idea is to be prepared as soon as the ball goes over the back line. The team should already be getting lined up before the hitter brings the ball in. If you start early, you have a better chance of finishing the play properly. If you start late, you will finish late. It doesn’t matter how fast of a horse you have. By the time you get to the man, it is too late. Trying to chase after someone is not a safe play. You are making the horse pay the consequence for your mistake.

Get in position so you can win the middle of the field. That is, once you know where the opponent is going to go, position your horse to create a barrier. Get between the opponent and his target, positioning your horse parallel to your opponent’s horse but slightly ahead so the opponent’s horse’s head is about at your horse’s shoulder. There will be no need to bump because you already have him beat. The opponent will have no option but to try to go around you.

I’ve seen players that were too late to a play but still chase after the opponent. They are running flat out and were beaten two plays back. They are going to get hurt making plays like that. When you are running after someone, the only play you have is a hook. Most of the time this type of player is running so fast, they can’t even execute a back shot. If they anticipate the play they won’t need to be chasing. They are better off starting early and having to wait for the opponent than rushing to catch up.

That goes for hitting the ball too. The faster you swing, the less chance of making good contact with the ball. Get the mallet in position early, either for a full swing or a half swing, and you will have a much better way to make contact with the ball. Don’t wait until the last minute to get into position to swing.

The swing is all about physics. With the proper swing and timing, you will make contact with little effort. If you hit the ball’s sweet spot (imagine a straight line down the middle) the ball will be lighter and will go farther. The best players hit the ball early in front of the horse and let physics do the work.

Most people think hitting a polo ball is like hitting a baseball, requiring you to swing hard. Think of the mallet more like a brush. Don’t add force. If you slow down and make good contact, the ball will travel.

The idea is to first control the horse, then control the mallet. You don’t need to use a lot of force and try to hit 100-yard shots. You will have a higher percentage when you can consistently hit 40 yards. Two 40-yard hits is 80 yards, three is 120 yards, and so on. You will have more success and a better

Be a barrier between your opponent and where he wants to go. Position yourself slightly ahead of him, going the same speed.

chance of controlling the ball when you can hit several shorter shots.

When you are in range of the goal, don’t look at the ball, then the target. Focus on the target first; be like a laser from the target to the ball, then make your swing. Keep your head down, watching the mallet head make contact with the ball.

The faster your horse is going, the more you will have to adjust your timing. If you practice different swings you will have multiple choices when it comes to making contact with the ball.

Throw-ins are another play where preparation and anticipation are important. Most people just line up in a throwin and wait for the umpire to bowl in the ball to see what happens. Winning throw-ins is essential. If you think about it, if you come out of the throw-in with the ball, you are only about three good hits from the goal. So if your team wins more throw-ins, you are much more likely to win the game.

There are many different tactics teams use to win throw-ins, enough to write a book. It helps to watch some high-goal matches and analyze the different strategies teams use. I had a group watching an Open match and the players were bumping and trying to get into a winning position and the ball wasn’t even in play yet. You don’t need much to win or lose a play.

Work with a professional to improve your anticipation and preparation. The time and effort will improve your polo. Details make a difference.

A fourth generation polo professional, Martin Estrada is a former 6-goal player. A USPA certified instructor with over 30 years of teaching experience, he operates ME Polo Academy at Brandywine Polo Club in Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, in the summer, and at his Cypress Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, during the winter months. He is also available for private lessons and clinics at clubs across the country.

He can be reached at 561-723-3213 or by email at mepolo@aol.com. For more info go to mepoloacademy.org. •