HANDICAP EVALUATION CRITERIA
from F.I.P. -
fippolo1@msn.com
Players should be evaluated on Rules, Horsemanship,
Hitting Skills, Teamwork, and Strategy.
Beginner:
A person who is in the introductory stages of active
participation in polo and is a true beginner with little or no experience
in polo, has had no previous riding experience at speed, and has no
technical understanding of the game. This player could also be a player
who is an expert rider but who is just learning to hit the polo ball and
learning game strategy. A novice is should not be eligible to play in any
sort of games until he is able to ride so that his horse is under control
and he is not endangering himself or other players on the field. Once the
player is declared to be safe, they would be allowed to play in games
under the direct control of the club.
-2
Goal: This
Player has a very basic understanding of “game strategy”, and should play,
under club guidance, in practice games only. They have the following
skills:
Limited knowledge of the polo rules.
Beginner or basic riding skills at speed.
Can execute offside shots some of the time, but not
necessarily a good striker of the ball.
Assist with offensive plays some of the time, can finish
some plays, but has a hard time initiating new plays. Possess he ability
to execute “hooks” some of the time.
Minimal position experience. Requires direction in order to
be properly positioned for “throw-ins”, “knock-ins”, and “penalties” in
accordance with the team plan.
-1
Goal: This
player has limited experience and may take plays away from teammates. They
can play under tournament conditions without constant coaching and is able
to create a limited number of plays for their teammates.
Basic understanding of rules of the game.
Beginner or intermediate riding skills and be capable of
playing in a relatively safe manner.
Execute some of the shots most of the time in a satisfactory
manner.
Assist in offensive plays from the “end-line”, “throw-ins”,
“turnovers”, and “passing”.
Possess the ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”,
and “hooks” some of the time.
Minimum understanding of some game strategies and plays.
0
Goal:
This player is an asset to the team. This player produces more
positive plays than negative plays. This player can adapt with little
coaching to new situations. This player can ride at speed, make plays and
hit the majority of the strokes. This player is able to hit the ball more
than twice at a fast gallop down the field under pressure.
Has good understanding of the games rules.
Intermediate or better riding skills and be capable of
playing safely and under control at speed most of the time.
Execute most of the strokes the majority of the time in a
satisfactory manner, and occasionally be able to “turn” and/or “dribble”
the ball without fouling. Offensive: Possess the ability to initiate
offensive plays from the “throw-ins”, “turnovers”, and “passing”.
Defensive: Possesses the ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”,
“hooks”, and shall be able to turn the play from defense to offense
without fouling most of the time.
Possess a clear understanding of his or her position played.
Survey the field visually with the intent to pass to the
open player, to defend an uncovered offensive player, to assist a teammate
in trouble, or to anticipate advantageous positioning.
Have minimal experience in planning and implementation of
various game strategies, including the ability to position teammates,
schedule ponies, and select plays in most effective manner.
1 Goal:
This Player shall have:
Clear understanding of the game and shall be able to
verbally explain and demonstrate the rules of play to others.
Shall have intermediate or better riding skills and be
capable of playing in a safe manner.
Execute most of the shots, a majority of the time in a
satisfactory manner, including the ability to “turn the ball” and
“dribble” in a 30-meter circle most of the time.
Offensive: Player shall possess the ability to initiate
offensive plays from the “end-line”, “throw-ins”, “turnovers” and
“passing”. Defensive: Player shall possess the ability to execute legal
“ride-offs”, “bumps”, and “hooks” and will usually be able to turn the
play from defense to offense without incurring a penalty.
Minimal experience in planning and in the implementation of
various game strategies, including the ability to position teammates,
schedule ponies, and select plays in the most effective manner.
2 Goal:
This Player shall have:
Clear understanding of game rules and shall be able to
verbally explain and physically demonstrate the rules of play to others.
Advanced riding skills and capability of playing in a safe
manner and under control.
Ability to execute all shots, at will, in a satisfactory
manner, including the ability to “turn the ball” and “dribble” in a
30-meter circle. Offensive: Possess the ability to initiate offensive
plays from the “end-line”, “throw-ins”, “turnovers”, passing and be
counted upon to successfully convert 50% or more of all penalties 2, 3, &
4. Defensive: Possess the ability to execute legal “ride-offs”, “bumps”,
“hooks” and “blocks”, and shall be able to turn the play from defense to
offense without incurring a penalty.
Shall routinely survey the field visually with the intent to
pass to the open player, to defend an uncovered offensive player, to
assist a teammate in trouble, or to anticipate advantageous positioning.
Shall be properly positioned at all times in accordance with the team
plan.
Shall possess moderate understanding and have minimal
experience in planning and implementation of various game strategies,
including the ability to position teammates, schedule ponies, and select
plays in the most effective manner.
Received from Veronica at F.I.P. --
fippolo1@msn.com -- July 2007
First of all it must be clear that you must work together with the
Thailand Polo Association. As you know handicapping is one of the most
challenging issues in polo. Above is a document that I hope can help you
evaluate players from -2 to 2 goals. In addition I recommend the
following:
1. Handicaps should be reviewed yearly. Establish a time so that the
review process is at the same time every year.
2. Set up a Handicap Committee. The members should consist of experienced
polo players with good knowledge of the rules. It is best to have Members
from the difference clubs in the country to make it easier to observe the
players.
3. Establish clear and concise rules and procedures regarding handicaps
and handicapping in Thailand, such as “Voting Rights of Handicap Committee
Members”, “Changing of Inaccurate Handicaps” etc.
4. Have each player submit and application asking general information,
possibly recommendations, and if they have a handicap in any other
country.
5. Side note: Some countries (like Singapore), use a
handicapping system that starts at -4 (not -2). So players can range from
-4 to 10.
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