The basic polo shots series – The forward drive

The basic polo shots series – The forward drive:

 A how to guide by The Polera

There are many different types of polo shots which are used for different effects and purposes within the game. Polo players may use different strokes and swings when in particular situations within the game, whereby they may shorten the swing, or even use a special variation of shot for a particular purpose.

To learn each type of stroke, one should concentrate on the type of motion that should be applied to the swing and stroke . If done this way, the necessary adaptations arise more easily and with possibilities of a larger repertoire of effective blows.

To analyse the basic strokes of the game of polo, we must first stop to consider the four stages of the shot and the preparation involved to make the shot:

1. Starting position            Brace or stance 

2. Starting the swing     Swing or downswing
3. Making contact with the ball    Shot, hit or blow
4. Final swing            Follow-through or finish

1) Forward strike from the side of the Mallet  - Analysis of the biomechanics involved: Drive right

We begin with the basic polo shot, which is the forward stroke on the side of the Mallet (drive right). The importance of this strike is that it is the most involved in the game. It is popularly said that 90% of balls are struck in this way, so it is an important shot to practice and to achieve a good technique. This shot is used in penalties (a crucial time for any team in a match) and therefore there is much pressure to ensure you don’t miss the shot.

We begin with the tutorial by adding further detail to each of the stages of preparation and method in the hitting of the ball as discussed below. These stages are generated by the movement of a position, or accommodation of the "brace", and the rearrangement of the seat into the rest position after impact.

Taking a stand
The movement of preparation, or accommodation, the result generated by the stroke (backswing) takes place in very different ways depending on the player. We can find four types:

• Classical or direct
• Forehand roll
• Pendulum swing
• Inverted or reversed roll

The classic form - and the most direct way - is to take the hand directly behind and above the head allowing the cue to move very little from its rest position. This preparation method allows for better coordination management for impact but on the other hand, is a movement marked by the little plastic transition between stance (brace) and the beginning of the movement (downswing).

The forehand roll or complete swing - is one in which the player hits the top of the ball at a similar movement to the beat but evenly and without accelerating the final swing, This mode allows for preparation and relaxation, which is vital during important shots such as taking a penalty.

The advantage of this technique is that by having a large backswing, the mallet head takes longer to hit the ball and, therefore, the impact may be more powerful. On the other hand, in developing the preparatory swing, the Mallet fits better in the desired direction. The disadvantage is that it is necessary to coordinate two turns of the mallet or stick instead of one. Polo players use this technique to "break away" when the game situation allows, as in penalty shots or bocce stops in play. 

The pendulum swing - The preparatory movement of the pendulum swing is one in which the mallet or stick is dropped from the rest position allowing the mallet head to tilting backwards in taking up the initial position of the swing. This mode is very relaxed and allowed to go taking the distance to the ground. The biomechanical disadvantage is compatible with the kinetic energy rises, with the power to deploy for the coup. 

If failing to stop the mallet swing naturally, by gravity, in this position to initiate the downward swing, you may need to deploy a larger force in the final swing, which would subtract power to blow by the need to destroy the opposite movement. The positive side of this embodiment lies in the aforementioned relaxation and takes away, as well as the shortening of the time of the backswing. 

Players usually use it in front breaks, where they hit the ball long distance. Some, when the tempo allows, combine the pendulum retrograde (to the height of the rump of the horse) with a full swing before.

Finally, there are polo players who do a rolled swing in the opposite direction to the final swing like a pendulum extended variant considered above. Many feel that this manoeuvre mobilises the wrist in a way that provides a sense of deep relaxation in the articular muscle.

Additionally, the inverted rolled swing leads to the start position of the hit with an amplitude larger and more elastic, than the direct way. It could be argued that the negative view is in possible problems with coordination, both temporally and by changing the direction of movement. As usually this type of swing is most commonly employed during penalty shots however, the negative aspects are minimized or cancelled as the player has time to prepare the shot.

Starting position
In the position prior to downswing, the right hand should be above and behind the player's head. The elbow and arm should be fully extended, although it should not be at full extension when beginning the stroke. The left shoulder should point to the ball and looking ahead, so the torso twists in a clockwise rotation. 

The alignment of the shoulders in the direction of the line of travel of the ball, establishing a continuity with elbow and hand, through an anteroposterior axis, the mallet head is positioned forward, above and slightly to the left of the player's head. With respect to the horizontal plane, the stick should rotate between 10 and 35 degrees (so that the mallet head is higher than the hand). The right hand should be placed at the same height as the highest point of the player's head or slightly above it.

The pelvis should be slightly tilted to the side of the action. The torso is positioned with a slight flexion (bending forward) clockwise (right) and a small tilt to the right (synergistic movement of the pelvis).

A faulty technique would be considered one that starts the swing with his head and shoulders too high. If this occurs, it would be common for a player to drop his head and shoulders during the latter part of swing (which is the most critical phase). This manoeuvre is often intended to compensate the player’s initial position error, in order to avoid too high a stroke of the ball. Although, of course the results from a failure of accuracy vary. 

The secret to avoiding this problem is to lean forward with torso and head (producing good flexion), together with the lateral inclination, when looking for the top of the swing position. Therefore, the backswing puts the player’s hand back and the body in a forward facing sideways position.

The left shoulder and right knee should be in a more advanced forward than the right shoulder and left knee, respectively, due to rotation of the trunk and the accommodation of the pelvis and thorax (scapular and pelvic girdle). This position allows you to have both "fixed support" during the swing: with the right lower limb (foot on the stirrup) and the left upper limb (hand over the reins on the horse's withers). Thus, to get a "brace", which enables high mobility, the player needs to stay seated on the saddle. It is important to stand in the stirrups, especially on the right, and to balance with the left knee, allowing the mobility of the left foot. Instead of clinging to the horse balanced with the knee and inner thigh and above, you should do so with all of your leg and especially with the foot.

In short, this swing means moving the hip position to accompany with the twisting of the trunk or torso. Without the action of the hip the swing and blow will lose its power or strength. Also in the long shots this technical defect may over time develop an injury to the lumbar spine by overuse.

The height of the swing is very important and has considerable influence on the swing itself. The height must be in accordance with the desired power to the stick and ball. For a long shot, the swing must necessarily begin with the positioning of the mallet at a level above the player's head, however, for a short-throw the hand need not be taken as above.

During the swing
The swing is made based on a movement of the trunk (dorsal-lumbar spine) and shoulders (shoulder girdle). The player's head is maintained so as to act as a pivot or shaft and control movement, instead of being affected by it. The view, head and neck, should follow the ball.

The elbow should be extended throughout the swing, because otherwise it would alter the natural position of the mallet head and affect the power and precision of the hit.
The centrifugal force of the mallet head should feel like a pulling force on the upper limb. It is important to go with the movement and consequent traction without trying to add any extra major force during this critical time of the swing.

The right shoulder should be in a forward movement/position accompanying the alignment of the shoulders and trunk. The steep decline of the upper limb will drag behind him in the swing, and the angles of the arm and forearm will change in the longitudinal axis during the swing as follows:

30 to 45 degrees          - when the hand is over your head.
75 to 90 degrees          - when the hand is at shoulder height.
170 to 180 degrees  - at the moment of impact.

The left upper limb position does not vary significantly and hand should rest on the horse's withers, serving as a pivot movement of the swing.

Contact with the ball
The arm swings through the longitudinal axis allowing the mallet or stick to reach the ball. The face of the "cigar" or mallet head should be cross-throw line, otherwise it hits the ball in a rotary effect and gives uncertainty to the ball’s direction . This is one of the most common mistakes of the swing and prevents the ball from obtaining a longer distance when struck as the mallet head rotates at the time of impact.  

The alignment of the shoulder joint in its movement, had positioned itself perpendicular to the line travelled by the swing of the arm straight from the horse.

In a normal hit, which is performing correctly, you should not be able to see any movement in the player’s head and still allow the swing to connect the mallet with the ball and the ball to touch the ground. 

Final swing and finish
The completion of the swing does not end in contact with the ball, it continues after that. This stage is often underestimated and considered a waste of time, but it is important that the player acquires the habit of not deleting this final action. If not considered as part of the swing or process, it usually reduces the arc of movement and may as a result produce a braking effect even before the ball is hit, which may adversely affect efficiency and power of the blow. The end of the swing meets, therefore, with various functions, the most important is to not interfere with the blow with a "change of motion" on the moment of impact. Another function is to allow the rider to be prepared to stick and ball again with a passive movement. This then allows the special relaxed state to be achieved in preparation for the next movement, or hit.