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Tom's Polo Tips
by Tom Goodspeed |
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Many ask me to help with their hitting. When I start to watch them hit, often times it is more of a riding issue that it is a hitting one. I always say, if you want to hit better, you need to ride better. With that said, let me give you a simple exercise that will improve your hitting immediately. One way is a hitting lesson, with someone watching you. But I am going to teach you with this exercise, to be your own instructor. When you are warming up or even coming back to throw-ins, between chukkers, try the following. Step #1 –Proper Preparation Draw your mallet back in preparation for your swing. Now physically turn your head and look at your swing and check your shoulders. Are your shoulders turned and in line with the backbone of your horse for both the nearside and offside forehanders? Are your shoulders straight ahead for the beginning of the offside and nearside backhanders? Obviously, you only physically look when you do your warm-up swing. Step #2-Rotating Your Shoulders Begin your stroke with emphasis on rotating your shoulders through the swing. In addition, your mallet head should clip across the grass or the surface of the arena. If you do not brush the surface or grass, you are not getting low enough. Most amateurs don’t even get close on the nearside. Longer mallets and lower yourself deeper into your stirrups, but still up into your legs. Step #3-Finish Your Swing Make certain that you are properly finishing each swing with whatever shot you are attempting. A nearside forehander should start and finish on the nearside. When you are properly finished with the swing, then draw back into your position over the horse, just give the follow-through a couple of more seconds before you rise back into the saddle. Take note of the actual position of your mallet head as you finish your swing. That is the indicator as to the direction of the ball, how the ball comes off the mallet head. Do a lot of your nearside forehanders go to the right instead of straight? Too many players spin or rotate their mallet too quickly, before the ball has left the mallet head. You may need to slow your swing down for a few weeks to work on this effectively. Remember your power comes from the horse and the rotation of your shoulders and hips. Attention to these three simple steps will improve your hitting and better yet, keep you properly warmed up on a regular basis. Once you develop the habit, you can routinely check-in on your swing, even during a match.
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