News Detail

Date : 2023-08-07

POLO COACHING CAMP AT JAIPUR

  1. 1. Col Navjit Singh Sandhu conducted a coaching camp on behalf of The Indian Polo Association for all volunteer players from 05 September to 18 September 2023 at 61 Cavalry at Jaipur.
  1. 2. A report on the same is elucidated below.
  1. 3. Players. There were over thirty players who attended the camp. Majority of the players were from the army. The highest handicap amongst the players was +1. The majority were minus handicap players. There were a number of players (approx. 15) who were not aware of the camp for whom a special clinic was conducted on 17 September.
  1. 4. Curriculum. The coaching camp was conducted in a manner to cover aspects of schooling and training polo ponies, riding skills as required for polo, developing individual skills with the ball, positioning in the field of play, spatial awareness, physical fitness and the understanding of the rules.
  1. 5. Infrastructure. There was adequate availability of infrastructure to conduct the coaching camp effectively and efficiently. The availability of arenas, wooden horse stations, polo ground and venue for lectures and audio-visual aids was appreciated by all. Facilities extended for camping of horses were satisfactory and adequate.
  1. 6. Methodology. The sessions were conducted thrice a day. The morning session covered horse training and riding skills. These sessions were demonstrative and practical application. The aspects regarding rules, positioning and spatial awareness were conducted from 1000h onwards. Discussions were conducted of the board and on a model to bring out the intricacies of the game and the application of rules. Video references to highlight the lessons were also conducted. The afternoon session from 1600h onwards covered the aspects of swing, stick and ball, goal scoring and passing. This was demonstrated on ground and practiced by the players.
  1. 7. Learning outcomes.
      1. a. Riding and horse training.
          1. i. Suppling the horse.
          2. ii. Turning and rein back.
          3. iii. Use of the wall for turn back.
          4. iv. Flying changes.
          5. v. Use of pressure and release of pressure.
          6. vi. Three-point riding.
          7. vii. Riding outside the horse.
      2. b. Rules.
          1. i. Line of the ball and right of way.
          2. ii. Speed, distance and safety.
          3. iii. Expressions in the rule book.
      3. c. Tactical and spatial awareness..
          1. i. Positioning related to speed and distance.
          2. ii. Momentum.
          3. iii. Set plays.
          4. iv. Engagement of right of way.
          5. v. Engage man.
          6. vi. Use of space and angles.
          7. vii. Positioning for different positions.
          8. viii. Possession, Passing and team play.
          9. ix. Concept of pace.
      4. b. Individual ball striking skills.
          1. i. Grip.
          2. ii. Plane of the swing.
          3. iii. Follow through.
          4. iv. Accuracy for direction and distance.
          5. v. Accuracy for passing.
          6. vi. Principles of scoring goals.
          7. vii. Penalties – techniques for accuracy and consistency.
      5. e. Fitness.
          1. i. Importance of fitness for polo.
          2. ii. Different aspects of fitness.
          3. iii. Methodology and techniques for attaining required fitness.