Technical Ball Skills

Technical Ball Skills TECHNICAL BALL SKILLS STANDARDS Dribble to Ball in Hand Pressure Counter Attack Passing Vertical Catching and Passing Vertical Shooting Dribble Pressure Pass Base Outside Hand Double Threat Up-Slide-Up- Shoot Ball in Hand Pressure Pass Inside Hand Up-Catch-Slide-Up Lob Pass Up-Slide-Up Pause Shoot Dribble to Ball in Hand Draw Foul Step Away Catching Cross Face Up-Slide-Up-Hitch Shoot Dribble to Ball in Hand to Forward Lunge Direct Center Entry Pass Roll Away Up-Catch-Slide-Up-Hitch Lob Pass One Pass Dribble to Ball in Hand to Up and Slide Dribble to Ball in Hand Crossover Center Entry Pass Pressure Pass (Runaway) Technical Ball Skills Descriptions Up-Catch-Slide-Up-Ball Fake Lob Pass Up-Catch-Slide-Runaway Lob Pass Two Passes Dribble 1. Horizontal 1. A player must be able to look forward, 1. Counter Attack movement with 2. Chest up high backward, left and right while dribbling ball 3. Head over ball 2. Strong flutter kick 4. Elbows high with quick and shorter strokes 5. Strong flutter kick 6. Head on a swivel Ball in Hand 1. A player has to be able to move forward, with the Ball in Hand, as the pressure is coming or prior to the pressure arriving 2. Technique when defense is stunting 3. Key: the ability to move forward and control the ball 4. Always Ball in Hand when preparing for a counter attack shot 1. Horizontal 2. Palm Ball 3. Stroke with Ball 4. As ball is coming out of the water, forward lunge and stroke with off arm 5. Repeat 1. Counter Attack player with the ball 2. Counter Attack Defense is stunting or starting to press the ball 3. The ability to pass under pressure or continue to move forward with the ball 4. Preparing for counter attack shot Dribble to Ball in Hand 1. Horizontal 1. See Dribble and Ball in Hand 1. See Dribble and Ball in Hand 2. Dribble 4 strokes 2. Specific to a game when a defense 3. Ball in Hand 2 strokes stunts 4. Repeat 3. Maintain speed with Ball in Hand 4. Quickly transition from Ball in Hand to Dribble Olympic Development Program 1 Technical Ball Skills

Dribble to Ball in Hand to Forward Lunge 1. Dribble 4 strokes 1. Breast kicks maintains separation from 1. Horizontal Counter Attack 2. Ball in Hand 2 strokes the Shooting 3. Forward Lunge up and out with ball 2. Zone 1, 3 or 5 Counter Attack 4. Maintain semi-horizontal position Shooting 5. Keep ball overhead away from the defense 3. Outside and Inside Hand Counter Attack Passing 6. 3 quick abbreviated breast kicks 7. Reset and Repeat Dribble to Ball in Hand to Pressure Pass (Runaway) 1. Dribble 4 strokes 1. Runaway pressure pass = Defense is 1. Defensive player is applying to the 2. Ball in Hand 2 strokes applying pressure from the front front of the offensive player 3. Pick Up Ball to Pivot Over the Hips 2. 180 Change of Direction into Pressure Pass Base (Incline ) 3. Horizontal position moving in a forward direction to Incline 4. 3 quick abbreviated breast kicks moving in the opposite direction 5. Reset and Repeat Dribble to Ball in Hand to Up, Slide and Up to Finish 1. Dribble 4 strokes 1. Emphasize using the ball to lift out of 1. Vertical Counter Attack Shooting 2. Ball in Hand 2 strokes the water 3. Pick Up the Ball at the finish of the 2 nd Ball in Hand stroke to 2. Ball in the Double Threat at all times 4. Rise up with a breast kick and move 3. Can add Pause and Hitch the ball into the Double Threat to 4. Can add Up and Slide at 45 and 90 5. On fall, slide forward with a breast kick to 6. Up with a breast kick to shooting follow through with the ball to the water 7. Reset and Repeat Olympic Development Program 2 Technical Ball Skills

Pressure Pressure Pass Base 1. Incline Base 1. Ball overhead away from the defense 1. Offense Pressure Pass 2. Ball overhead 2. Use breast kicks to create and maintain 2. Counter Attack: Step Away 3. Off- hand sculling separation Pressure Pass 4. Breast kick 3. Counter Attack: Roll Away Pressure Pass 4. Runaway Pressure Pass Pressure Pass 1. 2 start positions; Center Base and Split Eggbeater 1. Two starts points; Center Base has their chest against the offensive player s back or Split 1. Offense Pressure Pass 2. Alternate start positions Eggbeater offensive player has their 3. Snap to the Ball shoulder into the s 4. ¼ Turn Away from Defensive chest Player 2. Snap to ¼ turn to Press Pass Base 5. Rotate into Pressure Pass Base has to be quick and powerful 3. ¼ turn away from 6. 3 quick abbreviated breast kicks 7. Reset and Repeat Draw Foul 1. 2 start positions; Center Base and 1. Two start points: See pressure pass 1. Perimeter Offense Split Eggbeater 2. Keep head above the surface of the 2. Counter Attack 2. Alternate start positions water 3. Snap to the Ball 3. Absorb the foul by keeping legs 4. ¼ Turn pumping in split eggbeater position 5. Imagine drawing foul 4. Rise up quickly with the ball after 6. Up quickly with the ball drawing foul 7. Reset and Repeat Olympic Development Program 3 Technical Ball Skills

Direct Center Entry Pass 1. Open passing lane to the Center 1. Pass on the water directly on the 1. Transition Counter Attack Center s shooting hand 2. Perimeter Offense 2. 5 start positions; Pressure Pass; Draw Foul; Pop Release Cross Over Release; Cut Off Release (Inside) 2. Versus a zone defense and/or active Center Defender; the Center wants the ball directly on the shooting hand 3. Rise up with breast kick 3. Center will have a short period to make 4. Pass on the water directly on the Center s shooting hand a decision with the ball or seal off the Center Defender 4. Center will receive pass with palm facing the player throwing the pass 5. Rise up, so the pass is going down 6. From start position create an open passing to the Center position; explosive movement Cross Over Center Entry Pass 1. Not an open passing lane to the 1. Invite pressure on the ball 1. Transition Counter Attack Center 2. Use the off arm to help open a passing 2. Perimeter Offense 2. Defensive player is between the lane offensive player with the ball and 3. Use of the off arm is subtle the Center position 4. Cross over must be away from the 3. 5 start positions; Up and Slide; Draw Foul; Pressure Pass; Pop Release; Cut Off Release (Reverse Pop) 5. There can be a little space for a Center Entry Pass if the pass is direct and on the hand 4. Defensive player is matching hands with the offensive player and closing out or applying pressure on the ball 5. Ball is in Double Threat or Pressure Pass Base 6. Use off arm to slightly push the off their line 7. Cross over the ball away from the opening a passing lane to the Center 8. Deliver direct and on the hand Center Entry Pass Olympic Development Program 4 Technical Ball Skills

Counter Attack Passing Counter Attack Pressure Passing: Outside Hand 1. Outside Hand = Strong Hand away 1. All passes are with the strong hand 1. Counter Attack Pressure Passing from the 2. For drill combine with Inside Hand with moderate defensive pressure 2. Dribble (4) to Ball in Hand (2) 3. Strong forward lunge coming from the side 3. With Ball in Hand pick up the ball 4. Outside Hand Pass = Hook Pass 4. Forward Lunge up and out 5. Defensive pressure is coming from the 5. Lob pass to partner side 6. Head up free 6. Draw the defense farther away by 7. Receive pass from partner and Repeat waiting until the defense has committed to pressing the ball 7. Lob pass must be up and over the Counter Attack Pressure Passing: Inside Hand 1. Inside Hand = Strong Hand closest 1. All passes are with the strong hand 1. Counter Attack Pressure Passing to the 2. For drill combine with Outside Hand with moderate defensive pressure 2. Dribble (4) to Ball in Hand (2) 3. Strong forward lunge coming from the side 3. With Ball in Hand pick up the ball 4. Inside Hand Pass = Backhand Pass 4. Forward Lunge up and out 5. Defensive pressure is coming from the 5. Lob pass to partner side 6. Head up free 6. Draw the defense farther away by 7. Receive pass from partner and repeat waiting until the defense has committed to pressing the ball 7. Lob pass must be up and over the Counter Attack Pressure Passing: Step Away 1. Outside Hand = Strong Hand away 1. All passes are with the strong hand 1. Counter Attack Pressure Passing from the 2. For drill combine with Roll Away with heavy defensive pressure 2. Dribble (4) to Ball in Hand (2) 3. Heavy defensive pressure coming from coming from the side 3. With Ball in Hand change from the side moving in a vertical (forward) direction to a horizontal (right or left) direction 4. Quick and powerful transition from Ball in Hand to Pressure Pass Base 4. Simultaneously; 5. Emphasize breast kicks 5. Push ball away from the defensive player and drop hips into split 6. Lob pass must be up and over the eggbeater position 7. Emphasize quickly catching up to 6. From split eggbeater position step away from partner; similar to a game and getting back into the counter attack or into the 7. Move quickly into Pressure Pass Base offense 8. 3 quick abbreviated breast kicks and lob pass to partner 9. Head up free; catch up with partner 10. Receive pass from partner and Repeat Olympic Development Program 5 Technical Ball Skills

Counter Attack Passing: Roll Away 1. Inside Hand = Strong Hand closest 1. All passes are with the strong hand 1. Counter Attack Pressure Passing to the 2. For drill combine with Step Away with heavy defensive pressure 2. Dribble (4) to Ball in Hand (2) 3. Heavy defensive pressure coming from coming from the side 3. With Ball in Hand change from the side moving in a vertical direction (forward) to a horizontal (right or left) direction 4. Quick and powerful transition from Ball in Hand to Pressure Pass Base 4. With Ball in Hand pick up ball and 5. Emphasize breast kicks Roll Away from the defensive pressure 6. Lob pass must be up and over the 5. Move quickly into Pressure Pass Base 7. Emphasize quickly catching up to partner; similar to a game and getting 6. 3 quick abbreviated breast kicks and lob pass to partner back into the counter attack or into the offense 7. Head up free; catch up with partner 8. Receive pass from partner and Repeat Olympic Development Program 6 Technical Ball Skills

Vertical Catching and Passing Double Threat 1. Ball always in a position to be passed or shot 1. Ball is always in a position to be passed or shot 1. Ball is always in the Double Threat when offensive player has 2. Legs in Split Eggbeater 2. Calm and control the ball and is in the vertical 3. Ball over and behind the head position 4. Palm is up holding the ball 2. Zone Offense 5. Elbow is out of the water and bent 3. 6x5 6. Shoulders are level with off shoulder slightly in front 7. Off hand is sculling in front for stability 8. Ball is still Catching Cross Face 1. Face the player who will be 1. It is imperative to face the player you 1. Zone Offense receiving the next pass will receive your pass 2. 6x5 2. Keep the body square at all times to the player who you will be receiving 2. Exactly like a game and catching a cross pass the next pass 3. The player must face the goal when 3. Catch the ball after it has crossed your face receiving a cross pass 4. Rotate legs and body into Split Eggbeater Up to Catch to Slide to Up to Lob Pass 1. Rise up with a breast kick to catch 1. Three breast kicks; Up, Slide and Up 1. Zone Offense the lob pass 2. Lob pass allows the player receiving 2. 6x5 2. Catch the ball facing the player who the ball to time the Up and Catch will receive the next pass 3. Every pass is a lob pass 3. After catching the ball, fall and slide forward with a breast kick 4. Offense and 6x5 must have control and rhythm 4. The slide occurs by using the momentum of the fall 5. Ball stays in the Double Threat 6. After slide, rise up with a breast kick and lob pass to the next player Additions to Up to Catch to Slide to Up Passing Series: Hitch to Lob Pass 1. Shooting shoulder come forward 2. Ball stays still 3. Commits goalie and defense 4. Set up offensive player for shooting opportunity Ball Fake to Lob Pass 1. Ball fake to the Center 2. Ball comes forward to level with the shoulder 3. Commit defense to Center position 4. Set up offensive player for shooting opportunity Olympic Development Program 7 Technical Ball Skills

Vertical Shooting Up to Slide to Up to Shoot 1. Up-Slide-Up Movement 1. Ball always in the Double Threat 1. Zone Offense 2. Add Pause before shooting 2. 6x5 3. Add Hitch before shooting 2. 6x5 and Zone Offense player with the ball attacks the open water 3. Up and Slide makes the player with the ball attack the open water 4. Pause emphasizes keeping the ball still and in the Double Threat 5. A Goalie watches the ball for tips as to when and where the shooter will shoot 6. With the ball still the goalie is unable to read the ball 7. Emphasize calm and control 8. Maintain height on up when shooting 9. Avoid rising up right before shot 10. Keep the ball in play; make the goalie block the ball One Pass (2 players) 1. Up to Slide to Up to Lob Pass 1. The player with the ball attacks the 1. Zone Offense 2. Up to Catch to Slide to Up to Shoot open water 2. 6x5 3. Can add Hitch and Ball Fake before making lob pass 2. The player with the ball receives the ball in an open shooting lane and 4. Can add Pause and Hitch before attacks the open water shooting 3. The player passing is as important as the player shooting 4. After pass, the player must reset to original position Two Passes (2 players) Steps Teaching Points Water Polo Specific 1. Up to Slide to Up to Lob Pass 1. The player with the ball attacks the 1. Zone Offense 2. After Pass reset to original position open water 2. 6x5 3. Up to Catch to Slide to Up to Lob Pass 2. The player with the ball receives the ball in an open shooting lane and 4. Up to Catch to Slide to Up and attacks the open water Shoot 3. The player passing is as important as 5. Can add Hitch and Ball Fake before the player shooting making lob pass 4. After pass, the player must reset to 6. Can add Pause and Hitch before shooting original position Olympic Development Program 8 Technical Ball Skills