I’m a complete beginner. Will I know where to start?

Yes. The Academy is structured to help you identify your current stage before deciding what to study.

You will begin with the Getting Started process and Polo Success Path, then focus on the foundations most relevant to you - such as riding, grip, swing plane, rules and preparation for your first chukkas.

You are not expected to understand or watch everything immediately.

I’ve been playing for years. Will the Academy be too basic?

No. The Academy covers foundational principles and more advanced applications.

Experienced players use it to refine issues such as shot consistency, penalties, ball control, positional play, anticipation, set plays, horse performance and decision-making under pressure.

Strong fundamentals remain relevant at every handicap, but your starting point and priorities will be different from those of a beginner.

Can online coaching really improve a physical skill?

Watching alone is not enough.

That is why the Academy combines instruction with drills, demonstrations, swing and riding analysis, chukka reviews, Q&A and opportunities to submit footage.

• The lessons help you understand the correct principle.
• The practice exercises help you apply it.
• The feedback helps you confirm that you are applying it correctly.

Do I need to watch every lesson?

No.

The Academy is a resource you can continue using as your polo develops.

Start with your current stage and biggest priority. Work through the relevant lessons, apply them and then return for the next priority.

The goal is not to complete the largest number of videos.

The goal is to improve your polo.

I already have a local coach. Do I still need this?

The Academy is not intended to replace good in-person coaching.

It helps you get more from it.

You can study a concept before your lesson, revisit it afterwards, prepare better questions, review demonstrations repeatedly and continue learning between coaching sessions.

It also gives you access to specialised instruction that may not be covered during your limited time on the field.

I use hired or borrowed horses. Is the Academy still relevant?

Yes.

The riding, swing, tactics, rules, anticipation, positioning and mental-preparation coaching can be applied regardless of whether you own your horses.

The horse-training sections may also help you better understand the behaviour and responses of the horses you ride, although your ability to make long-term training changes will naturally depend on your access to them.

What if I cannot attend a live session?

Questions and footage can be submitted before the relevant session, and then session recordings are made available inside the Academy, on demand, so members can learn regardless of time zone.

Can I submit my own swing, riding or chukka footage?

Yes.

Each month, members can submit their own swing footage, riding footage and short playing clips for our Swing & Riding Analysis sessions.

The best way to submit footage is through our Analysis Submission Form, as this allows us to download the video and review it properly in editing software - slowing it down, pausing it, viewing it frame by frame and replaying key moments where needed.

You can also post footage in the Requesting Feedback channel inside the Academy community, although the submission form is preferred when you want the most detailed video analysis.

For the clearest feedback, we recommend that your footage is:

• Recorded in landscape/widescreen, not portrait.
• 1080p HD or higher where possible.
• Filmed close enough that we can clearly see you, the horse, the mallet and the relevant movement - but far enough away that nothing important moves out of frame.
• Kept reasonably steady and free from excessive zooming.
• Recorded at 60fps if your phone or camera allows it, as this gives us smoother slow-motion playback. This is helpful, but not essential.

For swing analysis, try to film from an angle that clearly shows your full body, horse and mallet throughout the stroke rather than filming too tightly.

For riding analysis, make sure we can see enough of both you and the horse to assess your seat, balance, rein use and the horse’s response.

Short clips from games are also welcome where there is a specific play, decision or technique you would like Gav to review.

ALSO - You do not need to attend the live session for your footage to be reviewed.

What about full chukkas?

Members can also submit full chukkas for consideration for our monthly Chukka Analysis sessions.

We preferably use chukkas submitted by Academy members, but because a full chukka requires considerably more review time, we cannot guarantee that every submitted chukka will be selected.

If yours is selected, Gav will break down the play in detail—looking at positioning, marking, anticipation, decision-making, use of space, tactical options and the moments where different choices could have produced a better result.

A few tips before filming

Good footage makes it much easier for us to give you useful feedback.

Try to avoid:

• Filming from so far away that the player is only a small part of the screen.
• Filming so closely that the horse, mallet or swing disappears out of frame.
• Portrait video where important parts of the play are cut off.
• Heavy digital zoom.
• Very shaky footage.
• Clips where another horse, player or obstacle repeatedly blocks the view.

You do not need professional camera equipment - a modern phone is normally more than adequate if the angle, distance and lighting are good.

The goal is simple:

Give us a clear enough view that we can see what is really happening, and not just the result of the shot or play - so that we can give clear and concise feedback.

 Which rules does the Academy teach?

The Academy explains widely applicable principles but refers to specific governing rulebooks where necessary.

Because interpretations and wording may vary between jurisdictions, members should also check the current rulebook used by their national association or club.

How do billing, cancellation and the guarantee work?

Your billing frequency depends on the membership option you choose:

• Monthly Membership: billed once per month.
• Annual Membership: billed once per year.

There is no minimum-term commitment beyond the membership period you have already paid for, and you can cancel your subscription at any time.

You can cancel directly through your account profile or simply contact us at support@gavsays.com and ask us to cancel it for you.

When you cancel, no further payments will be taken, and you will continue to have full access to the Academy until the end of your current paid membership period.

For example, if your monthly membership renews on 25 August and you cancel on 30 August, you will retain access until 25 September. Your membership will then end and you will not be charged again.

What about refunds?

Your membership is covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee.

If you decide the Academy is not right for you, you can request a refund of your most recent membership payment within 30 days of that payment being made.

After the 30-day refund period has passed, cancelling your membership will stop the next renewal, but your current payment will not be refunded and you will retain access until the end of the period you have already paid for.

If you ever need help with your membership, billing or cancellation, just contact support@gavsays.com and we'll be happy to assist.