POLOCROSSE
State Polocrosse Championship
South Midlands Pony Club
27th and 28th August
POLOCROSSE IN PONY CLUB
After a great response at the State Coaching Clinic we thought we had better follow up with information to keep every one enthusiastic. Polocrosse is played in English, Canadian and American Pony clubs.
Lets get this fantastic TEAM sport back into our pony clubs, after all it is Australian made!!
The session given at the coaching clinic is a run down on the important aspects of getting started safely Information regarding field size ,rules to remember and skill drills can be found in this document.
INFO FOR INTERESTED COACHES
I have had some great conversations with enthusiastic coaches who are giving polocrosse skills a go at rallies. We have however determined that it would be far less stressful for coaches if they had a step by step approach to introducing these skills. Sally Fleay, a long time Pony Club coach who has in recent times coached State Juniors, has agreed to sit down with me and brain storm three or four lessons that people could follow. Any Club who has keen riders who are mastering their skills and would like to get going for the PCAWA competition this year on the 4th and 5th of September could contact me and I can put them in touch with a suitable coach from the Polocrosse Association.
POLOCROSSE TIPS & GAMES TO TRY WHEN YOU ARE STARTING OUT
It is possible to learn many of the skills used in the game of polocrosse using two racquets and one ball between a number of children.
GAME ONE:
Rider #4..... Rider #3..... Rider #2.....l LINE l..... Rider #1........... Leader
The leader passes the ball to rider #1 who carries the ball in their raquet and rides out and around the leader coming back to their original spot.
They then pass the ball back to the leader , give their racquet to rider two and go to the back of the line.
Rider two then moves out ready to accept the pass from the leader and so on.
GAME TWO:
As demonstrated at State Coaches Clinic:
LINE OF RIDERS:
Rider#4
Rider#3
Rider #2
Rider #1
Rider1 lobs ball out towards the cone, chases it and picks it up.
They then have as many bounces as they can while riding to the cone.
At the cone they halt.
From a halt they roll the ball back towards the line of riders.
When the ball stops they ride out and pick it up and pass it to Rider #2.
The then give their racquet to the rider # 3 and go to the back of the line
THIS WEEK'S POLOCROSSE TIPS
Trouping in pairs is another great way to introduce the issue of decreasing a ponies personal space!
Try trouping with one rider holding a racquet. Ponies generally want to run away from the racquet so a good idea is (with a right handed player) is to have another pony on that players left side, then you can swap. ie. Pony, Pony, Racquet
PCAWA POLOCROSSE STATE COMPETITION
This will be a fantastic competition with sponsors and loads of encouragement prizes. Lets get this fun team sport back into WA Pony Club
Age groupings will be based on the following guidelines.
Age of riders to be taken on the day of competition
- 10 to 12yo riding ponies 14.2hh and under.
- 12 to 14 yo no height restriction on horse/pony
- 14 to 16 yo no height restriction on horse/pony
- 17 to 25 yo no height restriction on horse/ pony
- Any rider carrying Polocrosse Association of WA points of two or more must compete in the 17 to 25yo age division.
The above groups are subject to change and will depend on entries received.
With the PCAWA Polocrosse Competition entry forms going up, there may be some of you wondering if you are ready and able to have a go this year. From the feedback I have had, we will probably see more enthusiasm than skill this year but that is what it's all about when you are starting out.
If any Clubs would like a Polocrosse Coach to come in and evaluate where they are up to and provide help with the actual game please contact me on 9833 6235. I can also organise Rule Books for those who need them.
I need one Coach/Manager from each Club/Zone to look over the draw for the competition and have some input regarding each group of riders. We need to ensure that as far as possible all riders are safe and happy. I know people are stretched for time and am prepared to do the lions share of work, but I really need another head or two to check my efforts and work as sounding boards so we can have a successful weekend with our riders.
Please register your interest with Alana at PCAWA headquarters.
Two of our local suppliers have agreed to help Pony Clubbers get started with good quality reasonably priced Equipment. Both these guys are Polocrosse Coaches who appreciate Pony Club culture, so make use of them.
Paul Calneggia - supplier of Bennett Racquets, phone (08) 9525 4614 (Oakford)
Bruce Smith - supplier of Milner Polocrosse equipment, phone (08) 571 1172 (Guildford). Bruce also has a fantastic racquet skills video which I recommend.
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EDITORIAL - LEANNE MATHWIN
Some ideas that have come in from rallies are:
Holding the racquet half way down the shaft and carrying it like a whip on bigger horses that are nervous of it but are used to having a whip carried on them.
Carrying the raquet from drum to drum or passing it from rider to rider in a games type atmosphere ( we need to remember that if you can do PPMG's on a pony, carrying a racquet is no different from flags , balloon popping etc!!)
Have riders lead ponies (ie no rider on top) while the ball is rolled along the ground and passed from player to player
Try trouping (pairs and threes) to music without racquets then add the racquet and repeat the exercise. Try with one rider of the pair holing a racquet and the other not then swap.
Remember all the games played at school sports day, and re- invent a few. Leader ball , pass ball , try musical polocrosse balls.
Play catch me if you can.
Most of all remember to teach the skills of carrying racquets, (riding with one hand), riding in groups (importance of watching where you are going) reading other horses/ ponies body language. Talking to team mates, picking up balls, throwing balls and position play can all happen after the basic safety skills are mastered, if need be. As coaches you are the best judges regarding where pony /rider skill and confidence is at and how much can be tackled in one hit.
Good Luck and happy Polocrosse
Leanne Mathwin 08 98336235
