Polo Mallet Swings

Hitting the Ball

A polo mallet is made of a bamboo shaft with a hardwood head. It is used to hit a plastic polo ball about 3 to 3 ½ inches in diameter weighing 3½ to 4½ ounces. The word "polo" is actually derived from the Tibetan word "pulu" for ball.

Players hit the ball with a mallet. The basic shots are named for the side of the polo pony from which the mallet swing is made:

• The "near side" is the left side of the mount (horse).
• The "off side" is the right side of the mount (horse).

Polo Shots

Off Side Forehand

Swing the mallet forward or laterally on the pony's off side. This shot is the most common because it produces the most powerful hit.

Near Side Forehand

Swing the mallet forward or laterally on the pony's near side.

Off Side Backhand

Swing the mallet in the opposite direction of travel (backward) on the pony's off side.

Near Side Backhand

Swing the mallet in the opposite direction of travel (backward) on the pony's near side. A difficult shot to execute properly, but once mastered, it is the second most powerful stroke in use adding great flexibility to a player's ability to attack the ball.

Neck Shot

Swing the mallet under the pony's neck on the offside or nearside of the mount. On a nearside neck shot the ball is hit with a flick of the wrist to clear the ball or to set up a shot from a different angle.

Offside Tail Shot

Swing the mallet behind and under the pony's rump. The ball is hit with a flick of the wrist to clear the ball when it is behind the pony.

Offside Belly Shot

Hitting the ball on the offside so that it travels underneath the pony's belly.

Ready, Aim, Think

The best advice on swinging a mallet is:

• When you are riding at less than a full gallop, it's best to swing slow and smooth.
• When you are riding at a full gallop, it's very important to swing slow and smooth.

It also helps to pay attention to everything around you. The following terms used on the field during a polo match:

Take the man - don't go for the ball. Another member of your team is in a better position to take a shot if an opponent is taken away from the ball.

Turn it - there are no opponents nearby, turn the ball towards goal, rather than hitting a backhand shot, and get into position to hit a forehand shot.

Back it - a member of your team is in position to receive a pass from the player in front with the ball.