shift in polo in the Bay Area

[polo_pro]

Yesterday's match might be the beginning of a change. Bay Area polo has persisted all these years because of the dedicated effort and attendence of a core group of people (of which most are on the Aftershock's team). To them, we are indebted.

But at yesterday's match, someone commented how few "old timers" there were. We played 6 on 6 with 5 gliding spectators, so we had a good turnout. We just had LOTS of the newer players.

The nice part is alot of these newer players are just reaching the top of the "learning curve" where they'd be considered quite proficient. So we had a rather different style of play. It's hard to explain. There was less "hanging around", and more people chasing the ball. So we did tend to "clump" more.

But even so, it just felt "fun". Maybe folks just weren't as competitive. I know there were MANY collisions that were avoided because two people didn't push the limits and go right to the edge of what was safe!

ps - I think my one complaint about playing with these newer players was that when they're in a clump, no one seems to really be able to get a good swing at the ball and knock it lose. With the "old school" players, the ball rarely gets "bogged down".

[Sal]

We played 6 on 6 with 5 gliding spectators, so we had a good turnout. ght to the edge of what was safe!

Wow! That's 17 Segways... Here in Indiana, a good turnout for any Segway related outing is around 6 Segways, and two of them are Will's all the way from D.C.!

-Sal

[polo_pro]

Wow! That's 17 Segways... Here in Indiana, a good turnout for any Segway related outing is around 6 Segways, and two of them are Will's all the way from D.C.!

We really need to split the folks and do two fields. I think we'd have alot less people sititng out if this were the case. With the press showing up next time, actually, I know we'll have two fields. And the nice part about this, is usually one of the fields is more "easy going".

[Sleepy]

Honestly polo, I'm a little offended by your comments. You make it sound like we make it not fun for people.
The "Aftershocks" as a team only existed for Woz Cup last November. Since then, we've just been playing as Bay Area SEG and have been as inclusive as possible with our Sunday games. When we've had enough players to play 2 fields, we have set up 2 fields-- one advanced and one beginner (or more easy going.) But it's been a while since we've had such great attendance.

I think the newer players are where the older players were about a year or two ago in terms of playing style and what you get out of the game. What I mean is that two years ago, we were still having fun at just doing something different with our Segways-- it was fun as a novelty activity. Things have changed as we've gotten better. I personally play it now as a competitive sport. I think the older players have definitely "stepped up" the game and do play more aggressively. But I think that's just part of getting better at playing. I don't feel that there is any negativity on or off the field because of this. We just like to play hard.

If that is what is causing the problem, we can always set up a second field if people want to play a less aggressive game. We always carry enough equipment for the second field. You just have to bring it up at the game when we're setting up.

I can guarantee you that after a year of playing, the newer players will want to play more aggressively. FYI: We played on the yellow key for an entire year before switching to red key.

BTW-- the reason for setting up 2 fields when press is there is that we found that newer players tended tp crash into eachother more frequently, and go slower. So we would put the more experienced players together to minimize crashes and give a better show for the cameras-- going full speed looks a lot better than having a lot of clumping. That's the only time in the past when we've intentionally kept the newer players off of the main field.

I think it's great that we have a lot of newer players now. We think it's a great activity to play, and we're happy that new players find it fun too. But I don't think you'll be doing Segpolo any good by trying to keep it toned down. There will always be new players who want to take it easy. But gradually, they'll want to play harder.

-Alex

[polo_pro]

I readily agree with sleepy...the Aftershocks (or whatever name you want to apply to a bunch of guys playing polo in the Bay Area) have always been "inclusive". From my first day, I was shown the ropes and encouraged to come out and play as much as possible.

I'd typed up several other comments in this post...but I opted instead to just sweep all that text and punch the delete key. When words like "offended" are used, I know politics can't be far behind. Or perhaps, I've already stepped "in it", eh? 8^) 8^) 8^)

So I'll step back, and just let things continue as they are. No need to rock the boat. I get to play polo two or three times a month with a great bunch of guys. And if it never becomes more than this (like perhaps a league with several strong teams), I'll be somewhat disappointed. But I'll have gotten the chance to play plenty of polo...and that's enough for me.

[jgbackes]

As one of the newcomers I feel very welcomed into the "fold". I do sometimes feel like I've let the team down. There are certainly people on the field that get a tad miffed when I make stupid mistakes.

It's just a game, and I'm a nerd so I've been picked last most of my life ;) As long as you'll have me, I'll keep showing up.

[Sleepy]

Hey Jeff, it's great to have you as a newcomer... and if you've seen folks get miffed, I can guarantee you that it's just a knee-jerk reaction and that no one will hold it against you for more than a second.
These are pick-up games that we play for fun. Everyone likes to win, but we don't take this so seriously that anyone will care if we lose.
You'll notice that we never have the same teams from week to week because no one cares if one team wins or loses-- we're just there to play.

[polo_pro]

I probably should wait till the next polo match to discuss this, but with it being 2 weeks away I'll toss out the ideas. How about designating one of the 2 monthly matches as a "two field" get together? For instance, we could say "first Sunday of the month will always have 2 fields (even if it meand we play 3 on 3 on both fields)".

I'm suggesting this because I felt some new players might feel more comfortable on a less competitive field. sleepy, I know you might feel this is not the case, but pay attention to what jgbackes is saying. Sometimes it's not enough to speak reassuring words...

Also, I think two fields gives us another opportunity. With one field being designated "pick up" where newer players can play without feeling as much pressure, the other field can be "squad play". Notice I didn't say "team play". I envision groups of 4 people making up a squad (or half a team) and playing together regularly for a month or two. Then at a preset time these 4 people go back into the pool of players and are put on a new squad after some period of time where other squads are dissolving. Thus you mix it up.

By implementing "squad play", I think there's ample opportunity to bring new players onto that field. Squad members will fail to show up certain weeks, and if a "pick up" player feels comfortable then they can take their place and get a taste of what it's like. Also, if several "pick up" players want to join the "squad play" match, we can change the 4 on 4 between two squads to 5 on 5 (or maybe even 6 on 6).

Finally "squad play" is scaleable. In the future, you can make 3 fields where one is "pick up", and the other two are "squad play" accomodating 4 different squads. Also, as you can see, putting two squads together gives you a team. Perhaps you have a first and second string? Though since squads form and dissolve so quickly, your 8 players might actually have formed three different squads in the last year making them much more comfortable playing with any one of the other 7 players.

Hopefully, my comments here won't be "offensive" or "revolutionary". I do understand these ideas challenge the status quo. But I do see this new way of organizing as moving us past having just the Aftershocks and to multiple viable teams (while still incorporating new players).

ps - I think the important part of what I've said above is that squads dissolve at preset times (and people are shuffled around according to a schedule). And since most of the time there are no teams, this eliminates alot of the problems with egos (most evident when people are added to the team) and hopefully cushions the dissappointment as people are re-organized onto different squads. Half of the fun of any team sport is being put on a team and playing well...but sometimes that "team spirit" gets in the way and stifles overall progress because we hate to let go of it.