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BAC Guide To Water Polo

Club Water Polo Playing Groups

BAC’s Water Polo Program will be split into groups of 14 & Under, 16 & Under, and 18 & Under. Starting with the 14 & Under group, members will begin learning the fundamentals and basic strategies of play. As each player develops and progresses, he or she will gain further knowledge of more complex and challenging skills while learning to apply the basics within the proper context. Practices and games will be run separately for boys and girls, with the exception of the 14 & Under teams, which will occasionally be divided according to skill level rather than gender in order to create the most effective learning environment. Each club member will be assigned to a certain playing group based on a combination of experience, ability, age, and degree of commitment. Members whose abilities exceed the average levels of those within their age bracket may be invited to join the playing group one level up. In such cases, these players may be allowed to play games with both groups but will practice with the older group.

Developmental Goals & Overview – by Group

14 & Under

The 14 & Under age group will focus on learning and perfecting the basic skills necessary to play the game of water polo. A large portion of practice time will be devoted to developing a strong eggbeater, proper passing and shooting techniques, ball handling, and rudimentary offensive and defensive strategies. Players will learn how to move efficiently in the water, to economize motion as a team, and to recognize advantage situations. While one of the main goals of this group is to establish a solid foundation of skills and proficiencies, this group will also aim to cultivate an enjoyment of the game and to build an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and confident.

Whereas the 16 & Under and 18 & Under playing groups will be divided between boys and girls, the 14 & Under group will be divided into two co-ed groups called A and B. The A group will consist of stronger players with some experience who are seeking a more competitive and challenging environment, while the B group will consist of players who are either completely new to water polo or are still in the beginning stages of understanding the basic flow of the game. The intent of having A and B groups rather than Boys and Girls groups is to eliminate the large disparity between ability, size, and intensity level within practices, thus enabling all participants to learn at the appropriate rate.

16 & Under

The 16 & Under age group will spend the majority of practice time applying basic skills into a broader context. Drills that isolate a particular portion of the game will be used frequently to help create an understanding of how to react in various game scenarios. Players in this age group will have increased opportunities to work on skills specific to their playing positions, and will further learn how those positions fit within the team’s larger framework and strategy. New and more complex styles of both offense and defense will be introduced and the interplay of these two areas will begin to be explored in depth. The main goal of this group is for each player to develop an extensive knowledge of water polo as a whole by way of breaking it down into parts.

18 & Under

The 18 & Under age group will consist of experienced players who are interested in taking the game to the next level. All club members participating in this group will be expected to demonstrate a strong degree of competence in the core fundamentals of the game. Practices will aim to create a highly competitive environment wherein complex tactics occupy a large role. Awareness, skill, and strategy will be well balanced in order to build a team that understands the flow of the game and is able to both execute and adapt to a wide range of playing styles. Of the three age groups within the program, the 18 & Under group requires the greatest amount of dedication and commitment.