Basics
Click on each topic to expand.
Eggbeater kick
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The Eggbeater kick is an important skill in water polo; it is a form of treading water which enables players to remain in an upright, stable position while catching, passing or shooting. It involves alternating circular movements of the legs – the right leg moves anticlockwise and the left leg moves clockwise. The hips remain flexed, the knees are bent, but straighten as the lower leg rotates whilst keeping the ankle at approximately 90 degrees.
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Front crawl & Swimming with the ball
Head-up front-crawl is the main stroke used when playing water polo. Being able to see where you are going, where the ball is and where both opposing players and team mates are whilst swimming is vital.
There are some key differences between head-up front-crawl and normal front-crawl:
When swimming with the ball, the ball should be kept in front of the face. The ball will be kept there by a combination of the bow wave created by forward motion and the high elbow action. |
sprint for the ball
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The "sprint" occurs at the start of each quarter of the game to decide what team obtains possession first. When sprinting you should keep your head down in the water for the first 3-4 strokes (making you swim faster), then pop your head up to locate the ball and the opposition.
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Catching the ball
Catching a ball while treading water is a little harder than it looks. Instead of trying to catch with both hands, use one hand to keep yourself steady in the water. Lift your other hand above and to the side of your head. Give your teammate a target to aim for. As the ball reaches your hand, pull your arm back as if cushioning the pass. This prevents the ball from simply bouncing off your palm. Pull it down to the water next to your body to keep it safe from interception.
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Tony Azevedo
68 Sports App via App store or https://www.6-8sports.com/ for Android version - monthly subscription required
68 Sports YouTube
evolution of shooting - watch this
Maggie Steffens
eggbeater - watch this
La Mirada Shaquatics Water Polo
links to a number of great video's showing not only the fundamentals of the game, but how to be a great sport within the game
- watch here
Kap7
how to get past a player - basic - watch this
USAWP
Basic Body Position Fundamentals - watch this
68 Sports App via App store or https://www.6-8sports.com/ for Android version - monthly subscription required
68 Sports YouTube
evolution of shooting - watch this
Maggie Steffens
eggbeater - watch this
La Mirada Shaquatics Water Polo
links to a number of great video's showing not only the fundamentals of the game, but how to be a great sport within the game
- watch here
Kap7
how to get past a player - basic - watch this
USAWP
Basic Body Position Fundamentals - watch this
Advanced Skills
Click on each topic to expand.
6 on 5 play
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A 6 on 5 play occurs when a defending player has been excluded (sent out). This means that the attacking team has an extra player who is not being marked and is therefore "free".
A 4-2 setup (as shown in video) means that the one player is free at all times and the goal keeper has to move from side to side. |
Penalty Shot (5m)
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A penalty shot is a shot taken on the 5m line. The shot must be taken in one motion. The defence should position a player on each goalpost and swim towards the goal as soon as the ball leaves the shooters hand in order to retreive the ball if it rebounds off the goalposts or the goalie.
Watch the top video for some good positioning tips, the second video shows a really good shooting technique. |
FOuling
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Fouling is a very important skill in Water Polo. It is a good opportunity for your team to get into a better position for the pass/shot and allows the player with the ball to no longer have the pressure of a defending player right on them.
Drawing the foul is when the attacking player makes it look like the defending player is breaking the rules. |
Tony Zevedo
how to 'cross face catch - watch this
demonstration on faking - watch this
Beyond Water Polo
'snap and step' move to create separation from a defender - watch this
Wolf Wigo
How to get past a player - watch this