Tip 49: Back it or Turn It? Turn the ball and lose it to the other team, when you had a teammate open and waiting for a pass………and then the opponents score. Ouch!! Time to hang your head as you canter back to the throw-in amongst pairs of disapproving eyes, some of which have their associated mouths uttering or possibly even clearly projecting their disapproval of your recently flawed decision.
However, backing the ball into a pack of players, when no one is pushing you and leaving your team a player down due to the fact that you are out of the play…and the opponents come up with the play is equally ineffective, you just aren’t as easily identified as the guilty party.
Most of us have become familiar with the term “tail it” when attempting a back shot to a teammate. Tail it means hit from right to left on your offside back shot, which is the same as “open” or “away” on your nearside backshot. This angle allows your teammate to turn up to the pass with the ball on their offside, heading at an angle, normally to the right side of the field. This is suppose to protect the off-side of your teammate you are tailing the ball to, leaving the defender on the nearside of the line, limiting them to a ride-off attempt. If your teammate is astute and positioning for the play before you even begin your shot, they are already moving to the angle of the developing play. If you pull off the proper angle, you both look somewhat telepathic as your teammate is already en route as the developing play unfolds…unless…ahem…you miss the tail shot, turn over the play….your teammate is out of the play only because of their anticipative ability…and the opponents turn down to the ball and split down the middle of both of you and head for another score. Once again, time to canter back to the throw-in with heads hung a tad lower than after you successfully pull off a score.
So you might be now asking…..where is this going? (Funny…I was just thinking that myself.)
I am just suggesting, that under the right conditions, any of the play situations attempted above, could just as well develop into turning your defensive position into a very successful attack. It is not a matter of whether turning it or backing it is good or bad, it is just choosing your best option at the moment, based on abilities and positioning.
The trick is that favorite old phrase of mine, “field awareness”. Oh nooooo…not that again. Oh yeaaaaaaa. The simple ability, well…not so simple ability of knowing where all the players are positioned in the developing play and what is it that you are going to do with the ball. First is your ability or lack thereof of executing a back shot or turning the ball. That information is packaged with the developing field layout. You should then be able to compute the best choice for that moment.
If you are unable to turn the ball, you have a much easier task…and so do your opponents. If they are not pushing you to your back shots, the best scenario would be to quickly turn the ball and face up field along with your teammates, unless you had an open teammate capable (note the word capable) of carrying the ball to goal…or……an employer whose name appears on the bottom of your pay checks that has clearly identified certain job requirements in your contract or term letter, for example….hit them the ball.
If you are handicapped much higher or maybe even just worth five or more goals than anyone else on the field….. annnnd are very well mounted, you can do pretty much anything you want to. If you are like most of the rest of us, and you are being pushed on your back-shot, even better, doubled teamed, look for your “should be open” teammate. If you aren’t being pushed….. turn it…unless a teammate is open and has a real opportunity for a fast break to goal. If you do not have the ability or possibly even the right horse to be able to turn it…at least take your time….look…and just try to make the most effective pass, which may be even out of bounds if all of your teammates are closely covered. If you are a football fan…you know what happens when a quarterback is given too much time on a passing play. So when you are galloping for a back-shot, and no one is pushing you, take your time.
When you are trying to tail or open the ball on your backshots, make certain that after your attempted shot, you are defensively positioned so if the tailshot is unsuccessful, you are still positioned properly. It is far more important to have good angle than a lot of power. But good angle along with a powerful shot is a very effective weapon. But as amateurs, at least do some lesson time to learn how to hit some angle. Your pro or team mates should be aware of your ability and possible limitations. They should come in closer to you before turning for the pass, so that you are not pressured to execute a shot that isn’t yet in your bag of tricks. A ten or fifteen yard angled back shot to a positioned teammate is more effective than a fifty yard back shot straight back into waiting opponents.
In any event…..I wish you a lot of those parading type of returns back to the throw-in. You know…after a goal by your team. You sit a little higher in your saddle, you’re not letting on…but you are hoping everyone on the sidelines just saw you score. You maybe even be smiling just a tad…of course….acting like its not really that big a deal…because…..of course…….. you do it all the time. And I hope you do. What an awesome feeling…..awesome !
Sure beats that hanging your head thing after the opponents score, with your teammates nipping at you like a pack of pit bull terriers, and you happen to be the poodle.
Happy Polo !!!
Feedback: E-mail: polotom@usapolo.com
