SKILL CARDS

SKILL: Kicking with Ball

OBJECTIVE: Athletes should be able to use the ball in a similar fashion to a kickboard to complete warm-up kicking.

COACHING CUES: Kicking with the ball can be used during warm-up to get athletes ready for practice, it can also be used to practice specific kicks, such as eggbeater and breast-kick.

Step 1: Each athlete should be given a ball.

Step 2: The athletes should hold the ball with two hands and extend it out in front of them (like a kickboard).

Step 3: The coach will instruct the group on what kick to do for each lap. Make sure to rotate between flutter kick, horizontal eggbeater, horizontal breaststroke kicking and vertical breaststroke kicking.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure athletes have both hands on the ball at all times. • Make sure athletes have straight, locked elbows.• If a group or athlete is struggling with eggbeater, allow them to replace it with breaststroke kick.

SKILL: Eggbeater

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to tread water in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Eggbeater can be used both as a water polo skill and as a survival skill, it is a low energy exercise used to stay afloat.

Step 1: Start w/ left leg first (right stays still). Begin to move in a clockwise rotation.

Step 2: Once a good rhythm is established, start to bring in the right leg - this time, it is moving counterclockwise.

Step 3: Continue this motion w/ wide legs. Do not let the leg go straight.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Focus on timing; when one leg comes in, the next goes out. • Make sure athletes do not let thier legs go straight.• Make sure athletes have a “high and wide” base. • Make sure athletes toes are pointed up towards sky, not down towards the bottom of pool.

SKILL: Dribbling

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to swim with the ball in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly swim with a ball is very important for player safety and to properly develop basic water polo skills.

Step 1: Each athlete will start with a ball.

Step 2: The athlete should place the ball ~4 inches in front of thier face and start to swim head-up freestyle.

Step 3: Continue this motion, emphasizing a strong kick and shorter, choppy strokes with high elbows.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Athletes should have their eyes looking forward, over the ball. • Athletes should have a strong flutter kick.• Athletes should keep their elbows up high.

SKILL: Double Threat Position

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to hold or carry the ball prior to passing or shooting.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly hold or carry a ball is very important for builiding and properly developing basic water polo skills.

Step 1: Each athlete will start with a ball. On their legs eggbeatering w/ hips almost facing forward (facing toward 1 o’clock) and the upper body should be turned more - like toward 2 o’clock

Step 2: Athletes should hold the ball up and back; Elbow is even with ear and behindshoulder, wrist is behind elbow, fingertips are behind wrist and wrist is pointed forward.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • “Carry/hold ball as if you are carrying a tray of food.”• Allow beginner athletes to stand on the bottom or float on a noodle if needed.• Focus on positioning of the elbow and wrist.

SKILL: Hand Transferring

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to move the ball from one hand to the other in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly move a ball is very important for maintaining possesion of the ball and preventing a defender from stealing the ball.

Step 1: Each athlete will start with a ball.

Step 2: The athlete should grab the ball w/ off hand at 10 o’clock.

Step 3: Move the ball to the other hand (grabs at 2 o’clock) and transfer into strong hand.

Step 4: Reset the ball and repeat this motion until the athlete is comfortable with hand transferring.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Athletes should never have 2 hands fully grasping the ball.• Allow athletes to stand on the bottom, but allow advanced athletes to practice this motion while eggbeatering.

SKILL: Hand 2 Hand Passing

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to move the ball to a teammate in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly pass the ball is very important for properly developing basic water polo skills.

Step 1: Athletes will start in pairs, each group with a ball.

Step 2: Receiver holds up their hand and provides a target.

Step 3: Athletes should use the same form as in dryland passing, making sure to exhale as they pass (no holding their breath!).

If athletes are able to stand while passing, let them. Being able to stand when learning to pass and handle the ball serves the athlete better than forcing them to tread water (even float on a ball or noodle)

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure the elbow is even with ear and behind shoulder• Make sure the wrist is behind elbow, fingertips are behind wrist and wrist is pointed forward. • Make sure the receiver holds up their hand to provide a target for the passer.

SKILL: Pass/Pass/Pick-Up

COACHING CUES: Players will start to combine skills and develop a more advanced understanding of skills needed to play water polo. Discuss a time when an athlete may need to pick-up a ball off the surface of the water.

Step 1: Athletes will start in groups of 3, in a triangle, with one ball per group.

Step 2: The ball is passed dry three times.

Step 3: As the third dry pass is received, the athlete places it on the water in front of their face and then puts both hands up in the air. They then place their hand underneath the ball, picking it up and placing it into the throwing position.

Step 4: Sequence is then repeated.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure athletes are passing with proper form. (see Dryland Passing Card)• Make sure that when athletes pick up the ball they are puting it into the proper Double Threat Position before passing.

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will build on and combine other skills to complete more advanced water polo skills.

SKILL: Hub Passing

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will be able to practice rotating their body while maintaining possession of the ball.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to catch and pass while moving is important for properly developing basic water polo skills.

Step 1: Position athletes in a line with one player in the middle.

Step 2: Ball will start on one of the ends and will be passed to the player in the middle.

Step 3: They will catch and spin 180* degrees to their strongside, then pass the ball to the third player in their group.

Step 4: Drill is repeated.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure athletes are passing with proper form. (see Dryland Passing Card)• Make sure athletes maintain the Double Threat Position while rotating.

SKILL: Right Back Passing(3 in a line)

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill of passing with a teammate.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly move a ball is very important for maintaining possesion of the ball and preventing a defender from stealing the ball.

Step 1: Position athletes in a line with one player in the middle.

Step 2: Ball will start on one of the ends and will be passed to the player in the middle. The middle player will catch and pass the ball right back.

Step 3: The ball will then be passed back to the middle player for a second time; they will then spin 180* degrees strongside and repeat the right back passing with the other player.

Step 4: Drill is repeated.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure the elbow is even with ear and behind shoulder• Make sure the wrist is behind elbow, fingertips are behind wrist and wrist is pointed forward. • Make sure the receiver holds up their hand and provides a target for the passer.

SKILL: Power Shooting

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to score a goal in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly shoot the ball is very important for preventing injury and being able to score a goal.

Step 1: Athletes positioned in front of the goal at three shooting positions.

Step 2: Athletes will pick up the ball, placing it in a double threat position, rise up and shoot it on the cage.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Rotate goalie every five or so shots (everyone should play goalie at this stage in their development).• Make sure athletes follow through with their shot, their fingers should be pointed at the goal after a shot. • Make sure athletes are using the off hand to pull water behind them, helping to rotate the body.

SKILL: Dryland Passing

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to move the ball to a teammate in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly move a ball is very important for preventing injury and properly developing basic water polo skills.

Step 1: Each pair of athletes will start with a ball.

Step 2: Receiver holds up their hand and provides a target for the passer.

Step 2: Elbow is even with ear and behind shoulder, wrist is behind elbow, fingertips are behind wrist and wrist is pointed forward.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Pay close attention to elbow and wrist positioning. • “Carry/hold ball as if you are carrying a tray of food.”

SKILL: Change of Direction

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skill used to switch the direction they are moving in.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly change directions is very important for properly developing basic water polo skills.

Step 1: Have athletes start off the wall, with their feet facing you and on one of their hips.

Step 2: On the whistle, they switch their head and feet.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Athletes should never be submerged underwater during this skill.• Athletes should not be touching the bottom of the pool when changing directions. • Athletes should use trail hand to pull water (hand closer to feet).

SKILL: Right Backs(triangle)

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will build on and practice the skills necessary to pass the ball with teammates.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly move a ball is very important for maintaining possesion of the ball and preventing a defender from stealing the ball.

Step 1: Athletes will split up into groups of three with one ball per group.

Step 2: Two players pass the ball three times between themselves, then the payer with the ball repeats this with the third player in the group.

Step 3: Drill is repeated.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure the elbow even with ear and behind shoulder• Make sure the wrist is behind elbow, fingertips are behind wrist and wrist is pointed forward. • Make sure the receiver holds up their hand and provides a target for the passer.

SKILL: Triple VBK

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice using a breast-kick to increase their throwing power.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to use breaststroke kicking to increase the power of a throw is important for players to learn how to make longer passes or harder shots.

Step 1: Athletes will split up into groups of three with one ball per group.

Step 2: Athletes will pass the ball around the triangle.

Step 3: When an athlete catches the ball, they give three (3) vertical breaststroke kicks, passing in the third.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure athletes are bobbing up and down with their breaststroke kicks• Make sure athletes are still passing with proper form (see Dryland Passing card)

SKILL: Dry/Dry/Wet

OBJECTIVE: Athletes will learn and practice the fundamental skills used to make a “wet pass” in water polo.

COACHING CUES: Learning how to properly move a ball is very important for maintaining possesion of the ball and preventing a defender from stealing the ball.

Step 1: Athletes will split up into groups of three with one ball per group.

Step 2: Two of the athletes pass the ball between themselves three times: first two being dry and the third being a wet pass in front of their partner’s face.

Step 3: The player who receives the wet pass will pick up the ball from underneath (hand transfer) and begins the passing routine with the third partner in the group.

Step 4: Drill is repeated.

THINGS TO CHECK/CORRECT: • Make sure the elbow even with ear and behind shoulder• Make sure the wrist is behind elbow, fingertips are behind wrist and wrist is pointed forward. • Make sure the receiver holds up their hand or taps the water to provide a target for the passer.