[:es]In polo there are three positions that a polo player can have during a game: full-seat, half-seat, and raised striking position.
The half-seat position is probably the most common and is used particularly for controlling the horse and hitting the ball.
In this position, both the horse and the player feel comfortable, achieving a good balance between each movement. Good players often use the half-seat position throughout the game, especially when driving at high speed as it is a position that provides security.
But how do you achieve a mid-seat position? First, you must bring your body forward, gently lifting your body contact from the saddle. Both feet move back, counteracting the movement of your body, which moves forward. The hips should also come forward, towards the front of the saddle; this in turn encourages more pressure on the legs and ensures a low center of gravity. As the feet travel back and down, the ankles move away from the horse’s side, allowing for a better grip on the upper leg.
This position aligns the player’s center of gravity with the horses and becomes an optimal striking pose. The horse is best controlled in this position, no matter how fast it is traveling.
Fundamentally, the half-seat position improves timing, one of the toughest components of the shot. In general, the half seat is a fundamental position in polo, and the one most used throughout the game.[:]
