Team Play & Strategy
Understanding positions, formations, and game tactics — how to think and play as a team.
The Four Positions
Each position has specific responsibilities. Understanding your role is essential to effective team play.
Number One
Goal Scorer
The most offensive position. Primary goal scorer who stays forward near the opposing goal.
Responsibilities:
- • Score goals - this is your main job
- • Stay upfield to receive long passes
- • Create scoring opportunities
- • Mark the opposing #4 when defending
Often lowest handicap on team
Number Two
Attacking Support
Hustler position. Supports #1 in attack and transitions between offense and defense.
Responsibilities:
- • Support #1 in scoring attacks
- • Create passing lanes
- • Transition quickly between attack and defense
- • Mark the opposing #3
Mid-range handicap
Number Three
Pivot / Playmaker
The team captain and most skilled player. Controls the pace and orchestrates plays.
Responsibilities:
- • Direct team strategy on field
- • Hit long passes to #1 and #2
- • Take penalty shots
- • Link defense to attack
Usually highest handicap
Number Four
Defender
Last line of defense. Protects the goal and clears the ball from danger.
Responsibilities:
- • Defend the goal area
- • Clear the ball upfield to teammates
- • Mark the opposing #1
- • Cover when #3 moves forward
Solid mid-range handicap
Basic Formations
Standard Formation
Default positioning with #1 forward, #2 midfield-attack, #3 midfield-defense, #4 back.
When to use: Most of the game
Full Attack
All players move forward, including #4 who comes up to midfield.
When to use: When pressing for a goal, final moments
Defensive Shell
All players drop back to protect the goal.
When to use: Protecting a lead, penalty situations
On-Field Communication
Clear communication is essential. Learn these common calls:
"Leave it!"
You have a better angle - I'll let the ball run to you
"Turn!"
Turn and go the other direction
"Man on!"
Opponent approaching from behind
"I've got it!" / "Mine!"
I'm taking this ball, you cover
Player's name
Passing to that player
Defensive Tactics
The Ride-Off
Push an opponent off the line of the ball using horse-to-horse contact.
✓ Legal
Shoulder-to-shoulder, riding parallel, at similar speeds
✗ Illegal
Angle greater than 45°, crossing in front at speed
Hooking
Block opponent's mallet during their backswing to prevent a shot.
✓ Legal
From same side as ball, during backswing only
✗ Illegal
Across horse, hooking over shoulder, after downswing starts
Bumping
Light contact to unbalance opponent or redirect their horse.
✓ Legal
Gentle, controlled contact at walk/trot
✗ Illegal
Hard impacts, at full gallop, from behind