July – Bike Polo Bicycle Control
This month we're focusing on bike control at pick-up: balance, handling, and staying smooth and steady on the court. Drills cover tight turns, trackstands, and using your bike, not just your mallet, to hold space.
June – Bike Polo Teamwork
This month we're focusing on teamwork at pick-up: communication, trust, and supporting each other on the court. We'll work on passing instead of forcing plays, calling out switches clearly, and building the kind of court dynamic that makes pick-up fun for everyone.
May – Bike Polo Defense
This month we're focusing on defense at pick-up: positioning, protecting the goal, and disrupting plays. Expect drills on marking opponents, applying pressure without fouling, and staying patient when nothing's going your way.
April – Bike Polo Conditioning
This month we're focusing on conditioning at pick-up: stamina, pacing, and showing up ready to work. We'll talk about hustling on defense, playing hard start to finish, and the kind of recovery that keeps you in it for the whole session.
Bike Polo Rules: Technical Penalties
Some penalties have nothing to do with contact. They're about timing, attitude, and positioning. This post covers delay of game, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, illegal substitutions, and crease violations.
March – Bike Polo Offense
This month we're focusing on offense at pick-up: creating chances, moving with purpose, and making smart passes. This month's drills focus on positioning, timing your shots, and staying useful even when you don't have the ball.
Bike Polo Rules: Penalty Format
How a Ref decides how serious a foul is, and what happens next. This post covers ball turnovers, minors, majors, player advantage, penalty shots, and how repeat fouls escalate. Start here before the posts on specific penalties.
February – Bike Polo Equipment Maintenance
This month, we're focusing on equipment maintenance at pick-up: catching problems early, sharing tools, and caring for our gear. We'll cover basic bike checks, mallet repairs, and the kind of tool-sharing that keeps everyone on the court longer.
Bike Polo Rules: Ball Handling
Who has possession, what counts as a shot, and how long you can hold the ball in your mallet. A guide to shuffles, scoops, ball-jointing, and the 2-second rule, so you know why a goal did or didn't count.
January – Bike Polo Foundations
This month we're building strong habits at pick-up: showing up, learning the basics, and creating a welcoming court for everyone. Expect drills on bike and ball control, a few rule refreshers, and a bingo card you can fill in just by playing.
What Is the Carolina Winter League?
The Carolina Winter League is a multi-week bike polo league designed to bridge the gap between casual pick-up and high-pressure tournaments. With balanced teams, shared officiating, and a consistent structure, the league emphasizes learning, fair play, and community through the winter season.
Playing at Lakeside Park
After weeks of repair and a full month of play, GVL Bike Polo’s time at Lakeside Park came to a pause. This post reflects on what July showed us about shared space, community care, and the limits of temporary solutions.
Ref, Goal Judge, Timekeeper: The Invisible MVPs of Tournament Day
Behind every smooth bike polo tournament is a crew of quiet heroes: refs, goal judges, and timekeepers. This guide breaks down what each role does, why it matters, and how anyone can step up and help.
Bike Polo Rules: Game Mechanics
From the opening joust to the final whistle: how games start, when the clock stops, how play restarts, and what counts as a goal. Section 4 of the NAH Ruleset, with diagrams.
The Start and End of Every Tournament: Court Setup and Breakdown
Court setup and breakdown are the bookends of every bike polo tournament — and both are essential. This guide walks through the tools, teamwork, and small actions that help make tournaments happen smoothly from start to finish.
How to Be a Good Guest at a Tournament You’re Not Organizing
Even if you’re not organizing the tournament, you still have a role to play. From showing up on time to picking up trash, here’s how to be a thoughtful, helpful, and appreciated guest at any bike polo event.
Bike Polo Rules: Tournament Formats
How teams get ranked, how brackets work, how long games are, and why tournaments ask players to ref. A guide to Section 3 of the NAH Ruleset for first-time tournament players and anyone thinking about organizing one.
What It Took to Make Lakeside Park Playable
After gaining access to Lakeside Park, GVL Bike Polo didn’t inherit a ready-made court. This post documents the weeks of hands-on work—clearing weeds, repairing cracks, and building boards—that made the space safe, playable, and ready to host our first pickup.
The Ultimate Pre-Tourney Checklist (That’s Not Just for Organizers)
Supporting a bike polo tournament doesn’t start on game day. This checklist breaks down how players, spectators, and volunteers can pitch in before the event begins.
Bike Polo Rules: Players, Courts, and Gear
Who's on a team, what an official court looks like, and what your bike, mallet, and ball need to pass a tournament gear check. New to polo? You don't need any of this to start. We have loaner gear.