8 Important lessons bike polo players can learn from Happy Gilmore

Happy Gilmore is a 90s classic about a hockey player’s foray into the world of professional golf. And what does this have to do with bike polo, you ask? Well, like any great classic, we can learn from our hero’s struggles and mistakes. Here are eight important lessons bike polo players can take away from this Adam Sandler cult film.

1. Lucky doesn’t mean good

Everyone gets lucky from time to time and that’s just part of the game: a great pass that was actually a shot, a fortunate bounce, or a blocked goal on defense without looking. Don’t think too highly of yourself when good luck comes your way. Chance is fickle and luck can turn. Be realistic about outcomes that are due to luck and not technique. Focus on building solid skills with practice and you’re less likely to be blinded by lucky bullshit.

2. Find your flow

Flow. Mojo. Witchery. Magic. Enchantment. Sorcery. Devilry. Thaumaturgy (look it up). Juju. Hoodoo. Voodoo. Whatever it is, find it and channel it. Everyone plays better in the right headspace so find your flow. Maybe it’s a warmup routine, meditation, chanting, performance enhancers, chugging LaCroix…try things until you find a way to get out of your head and in the game.

3. Control your emotions

Emotions are the fuel that drives us to do great things…and destructive things. To play a fun and competitive game, you need to control your emotions. Nobody plays well when they’re angry or upset. Leave your ego off the court, focus on supporting your team and having fun, remember, it’s just a game!

4. Never too soon (or late) to start training

Bike polo is leveling up with each new season. No longer can you just go to pickup, party, and be the best. Great players put in the work. So if you want to be great, practice plays with your team, lift some weights, do some drills, ride cyclocross or mountain bike to improve your handling. But for the love of god do SOMETHING other than playing pickup! Skill takes work, no pain no gain.

5. Just tap it in

Brute force and a big ripper aren’t always necessary to score a goal. In fact, a nice misdirection and an off-speed tap can be far more effective. Boring? Maybe. Will you get heckled? Probably. Will it help you win? Yes. So next time, focus that energy into a nice little tap tap taparoo and skip the big ripper.

6. It’s all in the hips

Well, really it’s all about the hips…and everything else you don’t normally use. Biking in general, is great exercise. But it’s not a full-body workout. Some commonly underworked areas: hip flexors, core, glutes, and back. Find some time to give these a workout too and you will see improved strength and range of motion in your body, which will translate to better moves on the court.

7. Think before you heckle

Everyone loves a good heckle. A perfectly timed joke to call someone on their bullshit that everyone just witnessed. But sometimes heckles backfire or are a little too mean. So think before you loosen those lips. Don’t be a dick, make things awkward or make someone sad. And remember, words always come back to bite you in the ass.

8. Find yourself a coach

Nobody can be great without some honest feedback about their skills, abilities, and mindset. No matter how hard you try it’s impossible to observe yourself objectively since you literally cannot see yourself play (until we get that ESPN contract) or observe your psychology. So find yourself a coach or mentor, someone you respect and trust, and ask for some honest advice and feedback about your game. Who knows, in addition to improving your game, a new perspective might also accidentally make you a better person along the way.