This past Sunday Lancaster United was happy to have Alias, Pierre, and Robocop for some frigid cold polo pickup. We also had a great turnout of our newer players and a surprise visit from Trace, who had decided to take a season off from polo to be a better person than any of us could possibly try to become.

As is often the case when one has guests come to play, I picked up a thing or two from the DC boys, and I’d like to share some of those lessons with you today.

Yes, now is the time to pull up the carpet square and get your carton of milk.

One timers > Trap and shoot

One of the things that the polo elders taught me in my own club was to trap the ball before shooting. This makes sense, as it gives you a chance to put the ball where you want it and have a higher likelihood of actually hitting the thing.

Trapping also, however, gives the defenders time to get ready for your shot.

Pierre explained to me that, particularly as a lefty, I have a good opportunity to just one-time the ball when passed to by a right handed player. This shifts the momentum of the ball in such a way that the goalie is caught unaware or at least severely discombobulated. I’d say 47% discombobulation.

Need to work on the one timer skill? try having someone just feed you a constant stream of balls and just keep swinging until you get the right feel for distance and speed.

Need to learn how to be fed a constant stream of balls? Talk to Robocop – he gets fed a constant stream of balls as a matter of choice.

…make fun of me, will you…

Mallet control > Mallet power Read more