How We Run Pickup: Our Sign-In Sheet and Setup Checklist
How we run pickup at GVL: one sign-in sheet that welcomes new players, a setup checklist that spreads out the work, and a points system with prizes.
Two Minutes Left: Late-Game Decisions in Bike Polo
Up one or down one, with or without the ball, two minutes on the clock. Here's what GVL Bike Polo recommends in four late-game scenarios, and why.
How GVL Plays: Strategy, Tactics, and Transitions
Strategy is the plan. Tactics are the moves. Here's how GVL Bike Polo thinks about both, and what each player does in the first few seconds after the ball changes hands.
The 3-2-1: How GVL Defends
A goalie, a second defender, and one player on the ball. Here's how GVL Bike Polo's 3-2-1 defense works, and how the 1 and 2 switch when the defender gets beat.
Bike Polo Rules: Body Contact Penalties
Bike polo allows some contact, but not all of it. This post covers where the ruleset draws the line on charging, holding, extension, head contact, trapping, and flagrant fouls, plus how the Ref judges each one.
Bike Polo Rules: Mallet Penalties
Your mallet is for the ball, not for other players. This post covers slashing, high sticking, jamming, hooking, throwing, and dropping your mallet, and what each one looks like on the court.
City Squad Recap: Swamp Rabbits Take Birmingham
Five Swamp Rabbits headed to Birmingham for City Squad, played on a brand-new court in the heat, and came home champs after a three-way tie. Here’s how the weekend went.
When and How to Shoot Under Pressure
Sometimes the best shot is the one you don’t take. Here’s why GVL is selective about shooting, what “sending it home” means, and how to get a shot off with a defender on you.
Bike Polo Rules: Bike Handling Penalties
Put a foot down and you're out of the play until you tap in at half court. This post covers dabbing, toppling, and bike-on-bike contact: what's allowed, what isn't, and how the Ref calls it.
Shooting 101: Making Goals That Count
Scoring takes a while to click in bike polo. Here’s what counts as a goal under the NAH rules, the shots worth learning first and where to aim. Come practice at Tuesday skills night!
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.
Which Bike Polo Player Are You, Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
Bike polo brings out people’s personalities. We matched each zodiac sign to a familiar player type. Find your sign, then find your clubmates’.
Bike Control: Riding Slower Than You Ever Have
Bike control is the skill every other part of polo depends on. This post covers trackstands, tight turns, starting and stopping, and using your bike to protect space.
Teamwork: Playing as Three
Three strong players can still lose to a team that talks, passes, and covers for each other. This post covers the fundamentals of bike polo teamwork and a few habits to try at pickup.
New Signs at Pickup: What They Mean
Wondering what the new signs on the fence mean? Here’s how Big Toss keeps pickup running and rotations fair, how to tell when you’re up next, and how to request a themed game.
Carolina Winter League, Finals: The Golden Ghouls Win the First Season
The Golden Ghouls came in as the 3 seed and won three straight to take the first Carolina Winter League title. Finals results, final standings, awards, and a thank-you to the volunteers who made all four days possible.
Carolina Winter League, Day 3: Seeding Settled at Gateway Park
Round-robin play wrapped up at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest. Southeast of Heaven took the top seed, and a three-way tie at 6 points came down to head-to-head records.
Carolina Winter League, Day 2: Four-Way Tie in Charlotte
The league moved to Sugar Creek Park in Charlotte for a warm, cloudy second day. The Golden Ghouls and Good Luck With That! both went 2–0, and four teams left tied at the top of the standings.
Carolina Winter League, Day 1: A Wet Start in Asheville
The first Carolina Winter League opened in the rain at Malvern Hills Park in Asheville. Volunteers kept the court clear, three of five games ended tied or within a goal, and Purple Reign finished the day on top.
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.