Introduction to the sport of water polo

1. Intro to Water polo
Grade Level 10
Water Polo Unit

2. Objectives
-To teach students the basic rules and fundamentals of water polo
-Learn about the history and culture if sport
1.4 Explain and demonstrate advanced offensive, defensive, and transition strategies and tactics in combative,
gymnastic/tumbling, and team activities.
2.1 Participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least four days each week
3.5 Evaluate and refine personal goals to improve performance in physical activities.

3. Did you know that water polo began as a form of rugby and football in lakes?
Did you know that water polo is known for having the most violent match in
olympic history during the 1956 olympics?

4. History of Water Polo
● Began as a sport sometime in 19th in England
○ Originally was played in lakes and bays
○ Ball was made out of pig stomach until 1869
● In 1880 rules were introduced to sport to make it more skill based
● First played in the U.S. in 1888
○ In 1890’s the sport became popular that it was played in Madison SQUARE GARDEN AND The
Boston Mechanics Hall
● Became an olympic sport in 1900 during Paris olympics
● “Polo” is the English pronunciation of the Indian word “Pulu” which means ball
● Sport is known for having the most violent match in olympic history during the
1956 olympics

5. Men/Women’s olympic teams
● Men’s team has won 6 olympic medals
○ Won there 1 and only gold medal at the st louis 1904 olympic games
○ Won 3 silver in 1984,1989, and 2008 olympics
○ Won 3 bronze 1924, 1932, and 1972
○ Boycotted the Olympics in 1980
● Women’s team also has 6 medals
○ Won 3 gold medals in 3 back to back olympics 2012, 2016, and 2020
○ Won 2 silver in 2008 and 2000
○ Won 1 bronze in 2004
○ The Women’s team has won a medal in every olympics in the past 2 decades.

7. Rules
■ 6 “Field” Players and 1 Goalie start the game. Teams consist of up to 15 players.
■ Field players must pass, catch, and shoot with only 1 hand. Goalies may use 2
hands.
■ Taking the ball under water when guarded is a turnover.
■ The official playing field is at least 25 yards long, 20 yards wide, and 7 feet deep.
■ Players may not touch the bottom or hang on the wall.
■ Games consist of 4 quarters and typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
■ There is a 30 second shot clock per possession.

8. Fouls
Minor foul: free pass
Offense foul: turnover
Major foul: player who caused foul is kicked out for 20 secs

10. Positions in Water polo
● There are 4 different positions in water polo
a. Goalie
b. 2m meter offense/center
c. 2 meter defense/center defense
d. Perimeter player
● All positions are essential to succeed in the sport

11. Perimeter Offense/Defense
● Play both offense and defense
● Responsible for:
○ Moving ball around field
○ Set pasing
○ Creating drives and picks
● Guard perimeter on defense as well
● Positions are 1-5
○ 1 /5 = Wings
○ 2 /4 = Flats
○ 3 = point

12. Goalie
● “Quarterback of the offense”
○ Main communicator of offense/defense
○ Makes long passes to offense to get play started
● Last line of defense
○ Blocks shots
○ Announces who is open

13. 2 meter offense/Center
● Main offensive scorer
○ Offense revolves around this player
● Plays in the of the perimeter
○ Is the player who is closest to the cage
● Normally guards the 3 position
● Other names for the position include:
○ Set
○ 6
○ Hole set
● Needs strong legs, quick reflex, strong endurance, ability to make great
passeses and shots

14. 2 meter defense
● Person who guards 2m offense/center
● 2nd most important player on defense
○ Rest of defense revolves around this player
○ 2nd most important communicator on defense
● Responsible for majority of steals

15. Which position do you think you will play?
Which position sounds the most interesting /fun to you?

16. Egg Beating
● Also known as treading
● Is the type kick you will use to stay above water
● You move one leg at time making circle towards your midline
● Keep knees waist high
● You can scull with hands to make kick easier
● vhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KmcG7-RmDI

17. Passing/shooting whole egg beating
● Repeat same process except one arm is above water holding ball
● Point non dominant shoulder towards target
● Snap nondominant shoulders/hips behind yourself
● Release ball forward eye level
● When passing catch ball where you released ball
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmCaAUgu2-M

18. Now that we have seen the proper form for egg beating and throwing a water
polo let’s try it in the water!
How many passes do you think we can make without dropping being 6 feet for
1 min?
How long do you think you tread with hands or elbows above water?