14 



FIRST STEPS AT POLO. 



[Chap I. 



are unable to turn our pony's hind quarters to the 

 left, in order to hit a back-hander under his tail to 

 that side (Fig. lo). The latter, being much the 

 easier stroke, should, when practicable, be always tried 

 in preference to the former. Under no circumstances, 

 when the ball is in front of the goal, should a back- 

 hander be hit straight back ; for in that case, by 

 leaving the ball in the line of danger, we violate the 



Fig. 6. — Hitting forward on near 

 side, view from front. 



essential principle of placing the ball in such a position 

 that from it the opposite side cannot make a goal. 



4. On near side. — This is a most useful stroke 

 for straightening the ball towards the centre of 

 the ground, or for hitting it forward, or for a shot at 

 goal, when being hustled on the off side. We should 

 be careful to finish up the stroke a little away from 

 the pony, so as not to hit his fore legs. The way 

 to hold the stick is shown in Fig. 6. 



