In the last couple of articles we have talked about teaching skills and how to implement the elements of the water polo game. The big trap for most coaches is that they are trying to teach kids too much too fast. Learning is slow process and it takes time to build up on the acquired skills. Kids that have inherited good psycho motor abilities will be able to learn faster than the others. However, training needs to be designed to accommodate all of the kids regardless of their pace of learning.
Following is the list of skills that need to be mastered by the each age group. It is important to work on the basic water polo elements even after the skill is acquired. The load of skill learning is aligned with the Peak Height Velocity (PHV). This list is for boys. The difference with boys and girls is that PHV appears before in girl athletes at around 12 years old. Therefore the skill load that is for boys at 14u would be for girls at 12u level. There is an equation to predict the athletes Age of Peak Height Velocity. Here’s the link
List of technical-tactical elements which have to be mastered and perfected while practicing at age groups:
1. Water polo school (8-9 years old):
Movement:
Free style
Back stroke
Breast stroke kick
Double breast stroke kick
Eggbeaters
2. Age group (10 & under)
Movement:
Back stroke w/breast stroke kick
Horizontal eggbeater in place
Horizontal eggbeater w/ moving
Vertical eggbeater in place and moving
Vertical breast stroke kick in place and moving
Elevating body w/ eggbeater
Manipulation of the ball:
Picking the ball up underneath
Picking the ball up on top (rotating the hand under the ball)
Transfer of the ball
Stopping the ball
Catching the ball (with slight arch)
Throwing and shooting in place
Tactics:
Basic tactics (set up offense & defense)
Rules
3. Age group (12 & under)
Movement:
Water polo freestyle
Butterfly
Change of strokes (free to back, back to free)
Under water swimming
Change of direction (zigzag, front back)
Jumps (using breast stroke kick)
Start & stop
Stopping
Releasing to the ball
v-out
Half v-out
Faking the drive
One arm block
50 m free under 34 s
Manipulation of the ball:
Picking the ball up by pushing the ball against water
Caching the ball (straight pass, high pass)
Dribbling the ball
Moving with the ball in the hand
Faking the shoot
Lateral moving with the ball
Passing and shooting:
‘Cross face passing and receiving
Catch and shoot
Catch and shoot with the spin
Shooting after faking
Off the water shooting (t-shot, screw-shot, pick up & shoot)
Backhand
Sweep-shot
4. Age group (14 & under)
Movement:
Fly w/ breast stroke kick
Fly w/ flutter kick
Grabbing in the water (hand, fore arm, suit)
Playing defense (from behind, on the side, front, with movement, covering space in zone defense)
Pushing off, pulling and holding of the opponent
Blocking
Releasing from defenders
Making separation by swimming
Making separation w/ legs
Swimming in place
Movement of players in every individual position
50 free under 30 s
Manipulation of the ball:
Stealing the ball by using jumps
Stealing the ball of the water by using breast stoke kick
Stealing the ball while swimming
Stealing the ball by pushing the opponents hand under the water
Passing & shooting
Backhand from the wrist
Backhand while moving
Passing and shooting after releasing on their back
Sweep-shot in place w/ stretched arm and body rotation
Sweep-shot from the wrist
Redirecting the ball in place
Redirecting the ball after moving
Lob shot
Passing from the wrist
Passing an shooting w/ hesitation
Passing over the defender
Lateral movement w/ the ball around defender
No look pass
No look shot
Releasing by stopping and quick start
Releasing and driving by spinning around defenders
Passing to yourself (flipping the opponent)
Tactics:
Picks
Counter attack 1:0
Counter attack 2:1
Counter attack 3:2
Counter attack 4:3
Counter attack 5:4
Counter attack 6:5
Switching the players
Man up (4:2, 3:3)
Man down (back, storm)
Two man up
Pressing
Zone
Combination
Attack against pressing
Attack against zone
5. 16 & under
Perfecting individual skills
Introducing different offenses and defenses, 6 on 5
Strength training
50 free under 28 s
6. 18 & under
Strength training
Combining different offenses and defenses
50 free under 25 s
All the workouts need to be planned and designed according to these elements.