paul kraaijvanger: tips to improve your water polo game

Tips to ImproveYour Water Polo Game

Paul Kraaijvanger

The Best Way To Tread Water

If you want to maintain the best positionfor treading water, keep your head andshoulders straight and above the surface ofthe water. Move your legs forward and then backwardto stay upright and to keep yourself readyfor play. Your arms can help you stay steady in thewater, but they should also be ready tocatch a pass or propel you forward.

Passing the Ball

When you throw a dry pass you should aimthe ball above your teammate's head andtoward his dominant arm. With a wet pass, though, you want the ballto land in front of your teammate. Then he can swim toward the ball and awayfrom any opponents.

Swimming and Ball Control

When swimming with the ball, you need tostay aware of holding the ball, look foropponents, and be mindful of yourteammates’ positions. All of this means that swimming with yourhead underwater isn’t the best strategy.Therefore, you need to keep your headabove the water and use your shoulders tomove the ball. Keep your fingers cupped while movingthrough the water so that you can movemore quickly.

Scoring

If you can reduce the amount of tensionyou carry in your upper body and keep yourbody steady, you’ll throw and score better.Before you throw the ball, aim your bodytoward the spot where you want the ball togo. Then when you actually throw the ball youshould move your arm as if you’re throwinga baseball.

Catching the Ball

Catching the ball with two hands is not agood strategy. Practice catching with one hand until itbecomes comfortable. During a game you want to make sure onehand remains in the water to keep yousteady when the ball is thrown to you. Keep your free hand close to the side ofyour head. This is where your teammatewill try to place the ball when it's thrown.Once the ball reaches you, bring it down tothe water and close to your body so thatyou can protect it.