If you are seeing a high percentage of offensive, the issue is likely that your athletes are playing too aggressively. When working on this, be aware and careful not to break their spirit. Usually a player commits an offensive because they are rushing, frustrated, or bullish in the water.

How to improve

Rushing

Break offense training time into moments in time during a game. During offense training, teach the player a “how long do I have” mentality. Ex: 10 seconds - POST UP or 20 Seconds -POST UP.

Frustration

The mental game of water polo is just as important as the physical game. If an athlete gets frustrated, usually they are allowing the refs, opponents or atmosphere to affect them. Make sure you talk with your athletes about controlling what they can control - which is themselves. Use breathing techniques to help players “reset” when they feel themselves getting overwhelmed.

Suggested Drills:

Water Polo Strength & Conditioning x Brian : Basics of Breathing 

Water Polo 2.0: Over Hips Quick Stroke

Water Polo 2.0: Quick Strokes Release

Water Polo 2.0: Sculling

Water Polo 2.0: Stop & Go

Driving: V-Cutoff

Driving: Cut-Off Hip Movement

Driving: Driving V

Offense: Perimeter Release

At Home Workout; Core: Bridge

At Home Workout; Core: Figure 8 V-Up Hold

Coach Rico’s Drills: Step Out Heavy 2

Coach Rico’s Drills: Rico’s Square

Tony’s Turns: Half Turn

Tony’s Turns: The Grand Turn

Bullish in the water 

Work on concentrating on technique and not force: bullishness usually occurs when a player tries to establish themself through strength. Instead, teach the following techniques:

  • Animal drill (driving edition): swim next to the defender and use the Stop & Go technique, beserkos and changing directions as a weapon, instead of relying on power to get open. Make sure athletes keep the left hand in to hold balance and protect against a defender from grabbing.

  • Make the athlete understand how to use the time segments in the game. This teaches self awareness as well as shot and game clock awareness.

  • Taking a swim stroke into a player to get the defense off balance INSTEAD of pushing a defender away through force.

  • Spin into yourself - this will force the defender to give the athlete space or risk drawing the referee’s attention

  • Extra stroke on driving - this will allow the athlete time to cut to the back or get separation from their defender.