A lack of assists overall as a team can indicate that each athlete does not correctly understand his/ her role. The team is likely not playing collectively but rather individualistically. This means players are only focused on locking a goalie on their own shots. 

A low number of assists can also indicate an overall lack of passing skills and practice as a team. 

How to Improve

To be a good assist player, you must be a threat. If you aren’t a threat, the goalie will not feel obligated to honor you and your next pass will most likely be read by the goalie and defense. 

It is critical to learn how to lock a goalie every time - not just when it is your shot. Every pass made, the player must lock the goalie immediately when they catch the ball, not just pass. Lock the goalie drill and lock off pass are great ways to always be a threat and make people honor you.

A secondary reason for issues with earning assists is a lack of the team’s passing overall. Passing is oftentimes overlooked. However, by spending more time on passing, a team will not only become better passers but will have better legs and shots. Athletes need to understand that passing is not warming up your arm to shoot, but preparing you for in- game situations.  

Suggested Drills:

Passing under pressure 

Keep away 

Donkey kick

Lock the Goalie

Lock Off Pass

Donkey Kick

Passing Under Pressure

Water Polo 2.0: Maggie Faking

Ball Handling: Ball Drop & Pass

Passing Drills: 3 Level Passing

Passing Drills: Hesitation Pass

Passing Drills: L & R Release Pass

Passing Drills: Sliding & Stepping Laterally

Passing Drills: Step L & R Release Pass

Passing Drills: Man in the Middle

Passing Drills: In & Out Passing

Impact Training: Three Way Release

At home workout - ball handling: Receiving the Pass