The difference between a great player and an average player is the ability to find any number of planes around the horse. Once you have found your chosen plane, you just need to swing a pendulum in it!

The trick to great hitting therefore is actually less to do with the mallet and so much more to do with the ability to be versatile in the saddle.

The ability to move around and hold a balanced position for the duration of the shot is absolutely key to success.

It will be difficult for a player to achieve any of the planes shown in the image with a riding position that is fixed and square in the saddle.