Polo is played on a large field that measures approximately 300 yards long by 150 yards wide, yet it is played at such a fast speed that players often find themselves close to one another. When a player is in possession of the ball, a defender can be attempting a ride-off or steal attempt making it difficult for that player to maintain possession. This is why trailing the ball carrier or your teammate is considered an important tactical skill as it allows your team to maintain possession if the ball is missed or left behind. Another factor of this type of play can be intentionally leaving the ball (or not making a play on the ball) to allow your trailing teammate to take possession with more space or time. This decision can fall on the player with the ball, but their attention is often on the ball or the challenging defender, leaving the trailing player in the best position to make that decision.
Communication on the field is extremely important in any team's strategy, whether it is telling a teammate to hit an open or tail backhand, or in this scenario, telling a teammate under pressure to leave the ball and create a stronger possession. In the 2021 Gauntlet of Polo, Pilot was one of the best teams at maintaining possession in open play and it was plays such as this against La Indiana that were important to their success. By leaving the ball for his teammate, Gonzalito Pieres could focus on becoming a receiver and win the position down the field that ultimately led to a goal.
This play begins out of a throw-in as Pilot's Gonzalito Pieres wins the line against La Indiana's Jeff Hall. Under pressure, Pieres picks up the ball on the nearside to begin his attack downfield, yet the La Indiana defender effectively maintains his position side-by-side to increase the difficulty of the attacking play down field. Although he is not in possession of the ball, Pilot's Lucas James immediately positions himself behind the play, in the best position to support his teammate should he miss the ball or be caused into a neutral play by the La Indiana defender.
Communication is key in this moment of the play as Pieres is engaged with the La Indiana defender and approaching the ball under pressure. Due to that pressure, Pieres does not have the time or space to survey his surroundings and identify what the best play is. However, his teammate James does have that ability and quickly looks over his shoulder to see if there are any defenders close by. Realizing there are none, James can communicate to Pieres that if he leaves the ball, he is in position to maintain their team's possession and continue the attack downfield. This is where trusting your teammates is very crucial as Pieres recognizes that if his teammate his calling him off the ball, that he should continue forward in anticipation of being a receiver or pushing the defender out of the play.
Lucas James has called off Pieres on the ball and approaches the ball without any pressure from other defenders. At the moment of riding past the ball, Pieres quickly looks over his shoulder as he can now survey his surroundings and identify what his next action will be. Realizing there are no defenders ahead of him, Pieres races to gain position downfield and provide James with a receiver for a pass. Presented with two options of either carrying the ball or executing a pass, James hits a pass downfield ahead of both players, allowing Pieres to ride onto the ball and make a play that he may not have been able to make had he tried to carry it all the way down the field.
Communication between the two Pilot players was ultimately the key factor on this goal for Pilot as they gained possession, but trusted the trailing teammate in leaving the ball. While trailing the ball carrier is very important for positioning, the trailing player also has a view of the field and the surrounding players that a player on the ball may not. By communicating this, it created a better attacking play option for Pilot that negated the work of the La Indiana defender.
To see the entire play, watch the below video.