This is the most important stat collected by the 6-8 game desk (according to 6-8 Sports). 

When a team does not earn a lot of exclusions, it usually means the team is not as aggressive or as patient as they should be. No patience usually means that  instead of waiting for the drive to finish, or set to really hold position, a pass or shot is rushed. Too little aggression can mean that there is a lack of movement and efforts to challenge the defense to make a mistake. 

Common examples of poor patience and little aggression can include:

  • Not enough drives or picks 

  • Stagnation (poor or late releases)

  • Allowing the defense to dictate the offense - pressing out to half, being super high in the lanes

  • Rushing a pass to a drive before it finishes

How to Improve 

Exercises that can improve earning ejections:

Center Drills

  • Center moves towards the ball when passed by stepping out, keep head forward upon contact, hard turn (don’t fake a foul but get fouled)

  • Don’t hold so much. Instead move laterally and use balance to move the defender off balance (spider legs)

  • Tony Animal Drill: teaching athletes to not give up or put head under water - keep fighting to stay above the water

Driving Drills

  • Changing speeds: have the driver fake stops and change directions suddenly. Ensure to keep the hips up in order to accelerate upon contact. Utilize the Stop & Go technique. 

  • Chest drive drills: short and quick strokes with high shoulders to force contact with defenders. Be cautious of drivers attempting to drive under  their defenders (offensive). Instead, place the contact initiating stroke into the defender and spin into them. 

  • 3 on 3 & 4 on 4: teach athletes to stop hiding and force them to get involved in the play.

  • Tony Counter Move: bear into the defender with back and shoulders when on counter, not just swim straight down the pool

  • DO NOT FAKE FOULS: use sudden quick stops to get defenders off balance, changing directions, and rely on skill to lose a defender

Other Suggested Drills:

Driving: V-Cutoff

Driving: Cut-Off Hip Movmenet

Driving: Driving V

Driving: Slip Stroke

Water Polo 2.0: Over Hips Quick Stroke

Water Polo 2.0: Quick Strokes Release

Water Polo 2.0: Stop & GO

2M Offense & Defense with Peter Hudnut: Sealing Defender Under Arm

2M Offense & Defense with Peter Hudnut: Spin into Moving Defender 

Tony’s Turns: Backside Turn

Tony’s Turn: Front Side Turn

Counter Attack: Hit & Run

Counter Attack: Counter Release

What is Water Polo: What is an Earned Ejection 1-3