Maintaining field awareness and anticipation of players/field of play is a core skill in polo. The ability to recognize the play allows for the ability to easily and quickly transition from defense to offense.
Here is an example of field awareness and anticipation that allows a defender to clear the ball from the attacking zone:
- Player attempts to shoot at goal
- The ball approaches the goal line with no defender to block it
- Clearance from an offside open backhand which transitions defense into an attacking opportunity