Feb 162012
When you are considering your practice program, break it down into three parts to help you access your progress:
YOURSELF — YOUR HORSE — BALL, RACQUET and FIELD SKILLS
1st YOURSELF:
- Understand basic rules
- Try Umpiring
- Try the different positions
- Make time to be organized
- Use DVDs (WATCH YOURSELF PLAY)
- Ask questions if you do not understand
- Several short chukkas; evaluate your play
2nd YOUR HORSE:
- Is it willing and calm?
- It needs basic fitness, daily riding depending on your level
- Can it do simple maneuvers – MOVE FORWARD, STOP, TURN
- Does your riding need assistance?
- Does your equipment fit your horse?
- Introduce new things so your horse understands the game.
- Practice is PRACTICE, be considerate of your horse.
3rd BALL/RACQUET AND FIELD SKILLS:
The final break down, you need to work with the tools of our trade. When you master these elements at what ever level, your continuity and accuracy along with that of your team mates, is what makes our sport so exciting. You will start to be able to see that, combining THESE components is what creates you as a player and team member.
The BALL is the FOCUS of the game. (To get it – OR – help in its progression to and then through the goal posts)
LINE OUT’S:
- Sight the BALL as early as the umpires hand; try to maintain that sight until you or a team mate has gained procession.
10 YARD THROW:
- Watch the BALL from the Umpires point until you have regained procession.
- TRY NOT TO BE DISTRACTED BY THE DEFENDER
- Give the BALL good height in your throw, that distance will determine the catching height after the bounce.
- Remember the BALL will be where you put it.
- Guideline – If you are having trouble with distance relationships when executing your 10 yard throws remember that the shooting arc or “D” in front of the goal posts is 11 yards out.
RACQUET:
- Check to make sure it is always in good repair. (Net, Head, Handle)
- You need at least two racquets you feel comfortable with.
- International Player or Learner –GROUND WORK is the way to perfect your racquet skill.
- There is not a top player any where in the world that has not had a personal relationship with their RACQUET in some part of their career. TAKE IT AND A BALL WHEREVER YOU CAN. Start with your basic forward throw, expanding to a 360 degree range (you will need to understand a tectonic if you are a learner player) Get good instruction on how to throw and catch. (learn correctly now, it will stay with you a long time)
FIELD SKILLS:
- Understand all positions
- You will want to master one position but you should always understand what your team mate is going through as well in their position.
- Identify your team mates as a color and number. (Helps determine different offensive/defensive plays)
- If you are riding off, racquet-ting, throwing, catching, scoring, defending stay in CONTROL, CONTROL, CONTROL