There are four main shots in Polo the off and nearside forehand and backhand.

Offside Forehand

The easiest stroke in Polo and the one which generates the most power.

The player should aim to create a pendulum motion and not swipe at the ball. The power from the shot is generated from the swing (like golf) rather than the force hitting downwards (as in field hockey). The swing should be perpendicular to the pony and resemble a hand moving around a clock face. This can be broken down into the tap shot.

Offside Backhand

This is the reverse to the forehand. Be careful not to bend the arm and watch out for ponies traveling behind you, as it is not professional to hit the ball straight into opponent’s pony’s legs.

Nearside Forehand

As players cannot switch hands they must lean out over the left side of the pony to hit shots on that side. The key in this shot is to fully rotate the body round so the right shoulder is pointing at the ball and the player is leaning out over the left-hand side of the pony. As with the other shots a common mistake is to hit the ball with a bent elbow, thus loosing much of the power generated by the swing.

Nearside Backhand

Again the key is to rotate fully, this is a very powerful shot when done correctly, however can destabilize the rider. Locking the right knee into the stirrup leather aids the riders’ balance.

Once the basic strokes are mastered then the more complicated shots can be attempted.

Neck Shot

A forward shot, generally hit on the offside but can be switched to the nearside. The aim is to change the direction of the ball. Be very careful not to hit your pony’s legs with the mallet, to avoid this lean right forward from the saddle and aim to hit the ball when it is just in front of your ponies nose using the forehand shot.

Tail Shot

A backward shot from the offside. Used as a pass or to change direction of play. Number 4 players should be proficient in this shot. The key is timing, ensure you lean far enough out of the saddle and hit around the rump of your pony, being careful not to hit your pony’s legs.

Top Tip

If you do not have access to a pony, use a garden chair or block and hit shots from there.