The Break Away - Well, every once in a while, we all miss our man. Missing a man often times results in the development of a breakaway. Now how do we handle this opportunity that each team will be given a limited number of times in every match.

A great deal of the time, a breakaway results in missed opportunity as opposed to another tally on the scoreboard.

The best thing to keep in mind is trying to hit controlled shots to your own advantage. If opponents are chasing from the left, hit up at slight angles to the right and vice-versa.
Think about your approaching shot to goal. It is more important to place the ball in scoring position than it is to hit a crowd-pleasing bomb well wide of goal.

Keep a watch on your pursuing opponents. No need to run if they aren’t pushing. They may be playing you for a miss and if you go full throttle, you are increasing their odds, not yours.

Now the complete player could probably either run taking a couple of powerful shots or even run down field dribbling the ball in the air the entire way and then belting it into the next zip code through the uprights. That is right about the time I wake up from my nap. In other words, make the decision based on your capabilities as to what is your highest percentage in handling a breakaway is.

It is more important to carry the ball, to focus on making contact, then it is to hit the long ball. If you try to kill it, you may hit over the ball altogether. Then again, surface conditions can become a factor. If the field is looking like someone just roto-tilled it, you may want to hit away and forget trying to place the ball, especially if you have a great lie. If the ball is in a divot, you better slow down if you expect to maintain possession.

If your opponents are overtaking you, you will have to decide whether you need to mark them first and then return to your next shot with the ball on your free side.

Often times a great breakaway and scoring opportunity ends with a hook in the mouth of the goal, simply because the player carrying the ball opted to try a full swing on the last shot as opposed to getting forward and taking a half-shot with very little back swing to avoid the upcoming hook.

Happy Polo and I wish you many successful breakaways.

Photo: Pat Nesbitt
Credit: L. Bremner