12 



FIRST STEPS AT POLO. 



[Chap. I. 



ground with the adversary's goal to his right front. 

 If he cannot do this, he is sure to hit behind the goal 

 line. A certain amount of ''cut" must be put on 

 by turning the head of the stick sideways, with 

 the inside or short end of the head slightly to the 

 front ; and the ball must be hit later than for the 

 ordinary forward stroke, i.e., a trifle behind the knee. 

 At the moment of hitting, we should turn the pony's 



Fig. 3. ^Forward drive, 

 view from front. 



Fig. 4. — Forward drive, 

 view from behind. 



hind-quarters a little to the left by a strong pressure 

 of the drawn-back right leg, so that the stick may not 

 strike the off quarter. 



This stroke should be very frequently practised at 

 some object ; the angle made by the direction of 

 the ball with the direction in which the pony is 

 ridden being gradually increased according as dexterity 

 is acquired ; for the greater is the angle, the more 

 difficult will be the stroke. Like all other strokes, 



