Polo is an interesting game that is filled with uniqueness and action in every strategy and play. Perhaps you noticed that during polo matches, the professional polo player perform four common strokes with the mallets. Today, we are going to name them and explain what they consist of.
Forward Stroke
This is the most common and naturally feeling stroke performed. The polo player holds the mallet in their right hand and swings it on the right side of the horse they are riding. For very skilled players, the idea is to make the mallet hit the ball when the horse’s right foot is on the ground.
Forehand Stroke
This stroke is similar to the forward stroke in the sense that the mallet is held on the right side of the horse. Nonetheless, this time the hit is one given backwards with the polo mallet with the back of the cue.
Reverse Stroke
This type of stroke is just like the forward stroke, except the mallet is held on the left side of the horse. Because only the right hand can be used to hold the mallet in polo, this means that the player has to cross over their right arm over to their left side, and lean forward a little bit more to hit the ball. Moreover, unlike the forward stroke, in this case the horse’s left leg should be on the ground.
Backhand stroke:
This is the exact opposite stroke to the forehand stroke. The mallet remains held on the right hand of the polo player, but the hit is given backwards with the back of the cue and on the left side of the horse. This may be hardest stroke to perfect in polo.
These four types of Strokes, paired with an excellent quality saddle and a well tamed and active horse are the key to identify a professional polo player right on the spot.
What type of polo stroke are you practicing first?
