How to Look Cool Whilst Learning Polo: A Very Modern Approach to a Traditional Game

Steve Thompson passion for horses began before polo, in the eventing world and many of his teaching theories stem from that. Horses and polo are his vocation and his career began training polo ponies. The author is now a veteran polo instructor and professional player with over twenty years of teaching experience worldwide.

Foreword
Preface
Introduction
The Difference Between Kids And Grown-Ups
Physics!

PART I: RIDING GUIDELINES/RIDING LIKE A PRO
The Polo Pony
Learning How to Ride
Balance
Exercise 1: The Pyramid
Stirrups
Accommodating Motion
Steering
Exercise 2: Turning in the Pelvis
Basic Polo Riding
Walk
Trot
Exercise 3: Power Trotting
Canter
Exercise 4: Trot to Canter Transitions
Transitions
Advanced Polo Riding
The Half Seat
Exercise 5: The Half Seat
Exercise 6: Accelerate / Decelerate
Efficient Turning
Exercise 7: Circles within Circles
Changing Direction
Exercise 8: Changing Direction
Versatility
Exercise 9: Sink left / Sink Right
The Tube
Exercise 10: Chin on Chest

PART II: HITTING SUCCESSFULLY/WINNING AT SWINGING
Mallet Essentials
The Grip
Exercise 11: Balancing the Mallet
The Pendulum
The Plane
The Shots Intention
The Smiley Technique & Grid
Exercise 12: The Smiley Technique
The Smiley Grid
Exercise 13: The Smiley Grid
The Nearside in Isolation
The Hitting Process
The Checklist
Perception and Height Deficits
Making Contact
Exercise 14: Working Backwards
Hitting Discipline
Accuracy On Distance
Exercise 15: The Clock
Power Hitting, Penalties and Pre-Swings
Exercise 16: The Pre-Swing
Pitch-Side Training

PART III: APPLICATION/SCORING ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Stick and Balling and Hitting Diagnostics
Exercise 17: Stick and Ball
Playing
Riding Off
Hooking

Problem Solving
Stretching
And Finally...
Acknowledgements