Beginners Polo

John it didn't happen on tuesday did it? That is a sign that there aren't enough players. When beginners happens whether joni is there or not is when it might be worth having a second night...

Also winter is drawing in and you'll see the numbers go down as the weather worsens, personally I'd suggest not having a second night until the weather starts getting better again.

Joni and B, you are both right (although I'm uncertain that it was an unhappy local that sabotaged the lights, but you might know more about it than me) I shouldn't have suggested he comparision with the rude north londoners... Just because others are less polite is no reason for us to bring our selves down to their level! :)

15 people on a good day, 5 on a bad.
As I said, I feel this isn't established well enough yet as we've only been doing this dedicated beginners sessions for a few weeks.
I've seen people come and go to these 'outside sessions' over the last 12 months so I believe it's too early to saturate the few dedicated people we have.

But, I don't own beginners polo and again, the more polo the better.

Also winter is drawing in and you'll see the numbers go down as the weather worsens,

It does, and this is why the 'secret' polo stopped. Well that and the fact that some felt confident enough to hold their own at 'big fish' polo.

I'll be surprised and very happy if beginners continues throughout the winter.
Even if we go 'inside' to Peckham.

John H, for what I've seen so far, you are more than ready to step in & play at any Polo session/day, no need to set up more beginners, just ht*u the first times because you got the skills

[at wicksie's post]

Yeah people are softcore and won't ride from a station to a car park in the rain... Let alone play in it...

(obviously there are exceptions)

John H, for what I've seen so far, you are more than ready to step in & play at any Polo session/day, no need to set up more beginners, just ht*u the first times because you got the skills

It's not that I can't, I have done plenty of times over the summer, it's just if I'm going to play 4 times a week, I wouldn't mind some easier games for two of those, just to get some ball time, as one of things I need to work on is ball control, but I guess I can also do that by myself.

Wicksie and Khornight, you make good points, and you are probably right. I'm not going to rule it out, but I'll see what happens.

...It's not that I can't, I have done plenty of times over the summer...

k, was just sayin' as was oblivious of that

John, I think it's great that you're passionate about polo and are vocal in all of the polo threads.

Please consider however that a lot of people have been doing this for a very long time, and there might be factors in all of the facets of polo that you may not be aware of, and a lot of history in the organising of these sessions and the community, that went on long before you joined.

As I said, do what you have got to do. If your sessions interrupt my hard work at getting beginners sessions going, we'll talk about it then.

Right, back to polo.

These might be a decent enough cheap freewheel for polo?
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/700-touring-screw-on-rear-3883794/
Front
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/700-touring-front-3883611/

Old Skool Racer rode one for a year with no problems, but I think yet to be tested against the rigours of polo.

And, if you're going freewheel (like everyone else) then Freemans do them for £15 delivered.
http://freemanscycles.co.uk/

And if you want some fancy double brake action (and other stuff) for freewheels for the ultimate brake pimpage, Rik is your man

http://www.lfgss.com/thread47993.html

Polo!

^ you rock

Come round mine and I'll sort your brake. I haz stuff for you.

More rocking. :)

! ta ! will roll n' rock ;)

It is probably best to try and keep a specific beginners session. But I would say I have spoken to people at East drinks who have been interested in giving polo a go but don't really fancy the 10 mile ride to give it a go. So there could be something there.

Regardless of whether its a regular session or not, I'd definitely be up for some games out east which are a bit of a lower level than whats on offer at the minute (if its possible to get the numbers).

Anyway unlikely I'll be able to make it next week as the work is piling on at minute, but I should be there the week after maybe even on a new bike that doesn't handle like a barge.

It is probably best to try and keep a specific beginners session. But I would say I have spoken to people at East drinks who have been interested in giving polo a go but don't really fancy the 10 mile ride to give it a go. So there could be something there.

Instead of having a weekly session, what about having a one-off day somewhere specifically aimed at getting new players in?

Sorta like one of those "try a new sport things that the councils sometimes do at leisure centres".

Sandy, it's been done before, and I'm sure it'll be done again.
There is an official body for this, I'll dig out the link if you're interested.

Sandy, it's been done before, and I'm sure it'll be done again.
There is an official body for this, I'll dig out the link if you're interested.

I'm not really fussed tbh, just thought it would be better than mucking up the schedule and all that. I've found the London Hardcourt Bike Polo Association

But I wasn't sure if this was the official association as it doesn't look like it is maintained very often.

What diameter are the polo mallets that you use as loaners? I'm looking for some pipe, is 75mm or 90mm to big?

The LHBPA is as it says, the association for polo in London. That is the official site but a lot of it happens on this forum. The League and throw-ins are separate from that (further info in the polo threads). I'm not sure which was involved with the Play Sport intro to polo sessions.

I know that beginners polo will need looking at and improving, but from my perspective again, I've spent a while getting it this far, and as it's not well enough established, and the summer is all but over, there is little point in doing it now.

I'm sure there will be some more Play Sport sessions in the summer, and I'm sure beginners polo will move more central ( I leave the country in May so good time to do so perhaps).

We mostly use 63mm I believe Sandy. There's a thread here
http://www.lfgss.com/thread43728.html

We mostly use 63cm I believe Sandy. There's a thread here
http://www.lfgss.com/thread43728.html

Do we? Yikes...

:-p

John, I think it's great that you're passionate about polo and are vocal in all of the polo threads.

Cheers, I have no interest in just turning up and playing, if I'm going to do it I want to get involved.

Please consider however that a lot of people have been doing this for a very long time, and there might be factors in all of the facets of polo that you may not be aware of, and a lot of history in the organising of these sessions and the community, that went on long before you joined.

I have been reading this subforum for far longer than I've been playing, but yes, I realise there are many things I know nothing or little about. But at the same time that doesn't mean I can't give my input and suggestion, though of course nobody is required to listen to me, or agree with me.

As I said, do what you have got to do. If your sessions interrupt my hard work at getting beginners sessions going, we'll talk about it then.

I have no intention of organising anything without your blessing, certainly not to the detriment of the current sessions, but at the same time if demand is there, and people can benefit from it, then I'd like to try it, even if it's just a one-off.

Maybe next spring will be a better time to attempt that though, with the league there will probably be enough polo in shitty weather this winter ;)

On a related note, I've taken part in, and organised many different sports, and the one thing I really miss in polo is structured training session. Throw-ins are all very well, and I've learnt everything I know in them, but apart from a couple of games of bottom-bracket, I've not really done any skills based training.

I'm not really sure, how, or when this would be possible, but in an ideal world I would like a session, or part of a session, dedicated to practising different skills, for example dribbling round cones, shooting practice, goal keeping practice, set plays, etc...

john i know what you mean, but nobody is stopping you grabbing a ball and going out on your own to practise. There is a lot to be said for 'solo polo'

john i know what you mean, but nobody is stopping you grabbing a ball and going out on your own to practise. There is a lot to be said for 'solo polo'

You are right, and I guess I will have to do that. It's just a bit of a change coming from a more structured sporting background.

Polo isn't structured like other sports and that's a great side of it. None of the good players in London have had any structured sessions as far as I'm aware, they have just gained skill through playing with and learning from better players. This is a concern I have for random beginners sessions.
I would guess that most people / teams have done it the solo polo way to hone skills. I know my team did before our first match.

I've said that for these QR sessions, if anyone wants some pre- throw in sessions, to turn up at 6.30pm and we'll do some basic stuff before games.

If there's a call for other sessions you should do it. If it detracts from QR sessions then I guess it's my hard luck. But as I said, whatever beginners session has people serious about playing in the league or other throw-in sessions, again i'd recommend having experienced players involved as they will provide invaluable knowledge.

If anyone wants more structured sessions / training on a Tuesday, feel free to mention it.

john i know what you mean, but nobody is stopping you grabbing a ball and going out on your own to practise. There is a lot to be said for 'solo polo'

I was thinking about doing this, once I get my own mallet sorted. Was wondering though, with the talk of pissing off residents, where to go.

e.g. Would it be ok if I swung by downham on my way home for a knock around on a monday or wednesday evening?

for SP go anywhere. I go to tennis courts, parking lots, whereever really. Emmet and i even did E&C roundabout but i wouldnt recommend it without lashings of ginger beer and an english major.

I was thinking about doing this, once I get my own mallet sorted. Was wondering though, with the talk of pissing off residents, where to go.

e.g. Would it be ok if I swung by downham on my way home for a knock around on a monday or wednesday evening?

When we couldn't get on the QR courts without disturbing the locals, we rode round until we found somewhere.
There are some great courts here, but again with kids on, so we stayed in the corner of the car park

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=London+SE22+8HN,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.467568,-0.065435&spn=0.000703,0.001998&t=h&z=20

A bit further south
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=London+SE22+8HN,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.458984,-0.042044&spn=0.001405,0.003996&t=h&z=19

I have loads of places south Sandy but if I don't do some work soon I'll be in trouble.