New to polo, start here: a guide for beginners

A few people had complain about the difficulty that is follow all the polo threads and how to get involve in polo, so this is my attempt to put some light into this matter

***To get involve the best thing is come down to the court where we are playing that day and have a chat with someone. ***

Joni, Gabes, Ray, Dt, Em, Bill, Jono, Adam and Sarah just to name a few, they will be nice and helpful, ask for one of them id you want, but anyone will be able to point out the basic and the help you to get involve

There is thread for new people who want to get some practice without the preasure of being with the big boys, something more causal for just get used to being confident in the court and touching the ball.
The idea with this is to get at a level where coming to regular session, with more experience players is not frustrating or discouraging

monday
**WeLo **is dead
(thread)

*
*tuesday**

NE polo from around 6:30-7pm
Downham http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=51.539645,-0.083393&spn=0.000191,0.000603&z=21
Mitchison http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=51.544495,-0.085841&spn=0.001213,0.002331&t=h&z=19
Broadway http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=51.536474,-0.062917&spn=0.000606,0.001165&z=20
Hackney Downs http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hackney+downs&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=6.157226,20.698242&ie=UTF8&hq=Hackney+Downs&hnear=Hackney+Downs&t=h&ll=51.554119,-0.062965&spn=0.000382,0.001206&z=20

Beginners Polo from around 6:30-7pm
Quorn Road http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=103765982171560368661.0004899aefe70b6bc1219&t=h&ll=51.464398,-0.080006&spn=0.000191,0.000603&z=21
Peckham car park (top floor) http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=peckham+car+pa+rk&sspn=0.000765,0.002411&ie=UTF8&t=h&filter=0&rq=1&ev=p&radius=0.06&sll=51.470898,-0.067884&split=1&hq=peckham+car+pa+rk&hnear=&ll=51.47089,-0.067444&spn=0.000723,0.002411&z=19
*
*wednesday**

** South Polo**from 6:30-7pm
Newington http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=51.497785,-0.095597&spn=0.000607,0.001165&t=h&z=20
Peckham http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=51.470831,-0.067597&spn=0.001215,0.002331&t=h&z=19

**thursday *

• NE polo from around 6:30-7pm
  Downham http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=51.539645,-0.083393&spn=0.000191,0.000603&z=21
  Mitchison http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=51.544495,-0.085841&spn=0.001213,0.002331&t=h&z=19
  Broadway http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=51.536474,-0.062917&spn=0.000606,0.001165&z=20
  Hackney Downs http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hackney+downs&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=6.157226,20.698242&ie=UTF8&hq=Hackney+Downs&hnear=Hackney+Downs&t=h&ll=51.554119,-0.062965&spn=0.000382,0.001206&z=20
  
  

friday- no polo

*saturday and sunday*

check NE Polo and South Polo for more details
Hackney Downs http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hackney+downs&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=6.157226,20.698242&ie=UTF8&hq=Hackney+Downs&hnear=Hackney+Downs&t=h&ll=51.554119,-0.062965&spn=0.000382,0.001206&z=20
Downham http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=51.539645,-0.083393&spn=0.000191,0.000603&z=21
Mitchison http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=51.544495,-0.085841&spn=0.001213,0.002331&t=h&z=19
Newington http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=51.497785,-0.095597&spn=0.000607,0.001165&t=h&z=20

If you don´t know where or when to go, just post in ANY polo thread and in 15min someone will answer you where polo is happing today.

All the courts

**
Equipment**
don´t worry about the mallet, some people have a spare ones or if not someone will let you one for a few games. If you get more involve you can get your own with a ski pole from the bay and some pipe from a roadwork.
Light is good, strong is good...capped mallets adds weight :( but also adds accuracy. Also a good tip... try making several lengths... id recommend 90-95c, and test what works with your set-up. Oh and head width try anything from about 12cm to 15cm. Another thing... make a spare or at least keep a spare pole and head laying around. Mallets are born to break.

the bike, the best thing to star is to play with your onw bike as it fit you perfectly, you will not be the fastes but at least you will be used to it. The ideal is to have a bike dedicated to polo tahn you don´t mind to get a bit fuck. Ideal is something a bit smaller than your normal size and with no much rake in the fork, also the gear ratio has to be smaller than in a normal bike, between 40" and 50" should be ok. Disk wheels are also normal but not a must
Have a look at the polo bikes thread... and the upgrades (its a good way to see a set-up of a polo bike). There's also a few mallets in the photos.
If you need bits and bobs for your bike there is a ebay polo thread

Balls, no worrie to start with, a lot of people have and there is always one around

Beers, always good to bring some but this is common sense, me thinks

Rules, don't worry about it now, as in many sport the best way to learn the rules is playing, if not you will be reading a lot of things that could not make too much sense

This are some DO'S and DONT'S that Ray has write up, thanks Raymond

""its a funny one with do's and dont depends how you play...

When you first start off you will often find your self in the way and that the ball moves around you and you cant get hold of it. Its a good thing to watch a few games and size up people moves/runs. I think that this is fundamental to keeping the game flowing. T-boning is not acceptable but obstruction and slowing players down is a great way to start playing polo.
Then mastering the mallet... this can take a while as mallet length/bike setup/gearing all play a part in getting better at polo... various iterations of these set-ups will have you playing a lot better. (not really answering but useful non the less)
Reseting goals is important... likes skoots has pointed out in the past, polo is about manners and etiquette is key too.
Everything else is kinda learnt on court.

A good rule of thumb for all the polo threads is that you won't get many answers when people have already left to play. Keep your eye on the threads that are relative to you earlier in the day. After 530/6.00pm (especially as the days get longer) people won't be sat at a computer answering your queries. They will be playing polo, use your initiative and go find them.

.

bloody hell

edit: sorry just saw loads of html type shit everywhere. Might just be my computer

WHAT no polo on mondays and fridays

monday - hangover
friday - get pissed

nice one rik.

dicki you down for the NYDTIT?

right, anyone interested in a newbie polo night? maybe do it once a month? mostly for newbies only, maybe a few veteran players can show up to give tips?

just come to any of the evenings... you might stuggle to get everyone together if you do a polo night.

like the first post shows... lots of nights, all friendly, and lots of equipment.

actually teddy come play in the NYDTIT tourney....its going to be a complete mix of skills and people.

hey im trying to be a bit inclusive. ive talked to lots of people who wanna play but are nervous about showing up and playing with the big boys...

teddy...name them and i will kill their first born.

Do it, Teddy. Start your own games. That's exactly what a bunch of us did over the summer. Whether it helped with skills, I don't know. Certainly helped with confidence though.

What is your policy on age discrimination ?

youre too old! ;) and you suck!

Thats what I feel, bloody kids...

ha you not come up for a game before up east way have you?

you in for the NYD tourney?

Thanks Rik.

hey im trying to be a bit inclusive. ive talked to lots of people who wanna play but are nervous about showing up and playing with the big boys...

They shouldn't be. None of the 'big boys' will be rough with new players, in fact they will actively encourage new players. I definitely want to play with more new players/players of all abilities. And definitely more girls please :)

ha you not come up for a game before up east way have you?

you in for the NYD tourney?

Its a struggle to get even one evening a week away from the family.
Will try harder next year.

@growup...good stuff!

Hops,

I think my friend pols maybe up for a swing or 2 in the new year and sol is gonna get her polo bike together, tika is keen too!

Sol! Is your bike stiiiiiiiill not finished? ;)

Do it, Teddy. Start your own games. That's exactly what a bunch of us did over the summer. Whether it helped with skills, I don't know. Certainly helped with confidence though.

+1

Rik, excellent post.

Just wanted to add, there are a bunch of spare mallets and enough balls. Just ask in the loaner mallets thread.

If anyone has any questions about polo that they don't want to ask publicly, you can always PM me, Mike[trampsparadise] or Ray (shinscar) or almost any of the other LHBPA members. We are all willing to give our time to help new players get started.

Right guys and girls?

^^^ it has a use!

right, anyone interested in a newbie polo night? maybe do it once a month? mostly for newbies only, maybe a few veteran players can show up to give tips?

i'm in. we'll need mallets though....willing to trade beers for mallet use.
snooch.

hey im trying to be a bit inclusive. ive talked to lots of people who wanna play but are nervous about showing up and playing with the big boys...

Most of us 'big boys' only started playing in the last 6 months. We all know that dogsballs is a former semi-pro, but the large part of the rest of us are still training to be amateurs.

Sol! Is your bike stiiiiiiiill not finished? ;)

nah, been trying to pass a driving test ( controversial, i know hehe), so i've been doing that most evenings

Aim is to get that bike done when i return to uk in the new year. Bring on the girls games!