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.
October – Bike Polo Strategy
This month we're focusing on strategy at pick-up: reading the game, making smart decisions, and thinking a step ahead. We'll look at positioning, when to push and when to hold back, and how to adjust a plan mid-game.
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.
September – Bike Polo Rules and Reffing
This month we're focusing on rules and reffing at pick-up: understanding the ruleset, calling fair games, and building confidence behind the whistle. It's a chance to get comfortable with the parts of the rulebook that come up most at pick-up, and to try reffing if you haven't yet.
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!
August – Bike Polo Shooting Goals
This month we're focusing on shooting at pick-up: accuracy, timing, and smart shot selection. We'll practice shot angles, following up on rebounds, and knowing the difference between a good shot and a forced one.
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.
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.
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.
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.