38 THEORY AND PRACTICE OF POLO. [Chap. II. 



A ball hit twenty or thirty yards by one player, 

 so that a comrade can get it, and in his turn either 

 keep possession or pass it again, is much more 

 likely to reach the goal than if the striker had sent 

 it double or treble the distance, but into the possession 

 of an opponent. 



By these remarks, I must not, however, give the 

 impression that I undervalue the importance of hard 

 hitting. When a team is hitting out from behind, 

 or to get the ball out of a position of danger, hard 

 hitting is invaluable. Still, accuracy is more im- 

 portant than hard hitting. By combining strength 

 with accuracy, perfection is attained. 



DUTIES OF NO. 1. 



It is a great pity that more players do not make a 

 study of this position, which is unpopular, because it 

 demands much self-denial. (Figs. 19 and 20.) Most 

 men think that for the first year or two of their 

 polo career, they must play No. i a certain number 

 of times, and they try to avoid doing so, as often 

 as they can. Afterwards, they will never play No. i 

 if they can possibly help it. Nos. 2, 3, and Back 

 should do their best to make No. I's duties agree- 

 able, and should remember that one reason why they 

 themselves dislike the position of No. i, is the un- 

 pleasantness of having such directions as " Gallop, 

 No. I," "Ride the Back, and leave the ball," con- 

 stantly shouted at them, with frequent abuse, and 

 with but few words of encouragement for their well- 

 meant efforts. Therefore, in ordinary games they 

 should refrain from what they know they would resent 

 if applied to themselves. Even in matches, loudly 



