Ball Familiarisation Circuit
A relaxed circuit of ball tasks – push, spin, lift, roll and catch – so swimmers get used to the feel of the ball in the water.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 8
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Ball Handling
- Equipment
- Balls, Water Polo Ball
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–20 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Use balls suited to the swimmers' size; space swimmers apart so balls don't hit faces.
What it develops
- Pick up, hold and release the ball one-handed
How to run it
- Each swimmer has a ball in shallow-to-medium depth water.
- Task 1: push the ball forward with the forehead and hands while walking or swimming.
- Task 2: spin the ball on the water with one hand.
- Task 3: press the ball down slightly and let it pop up, catching it one-handed.
- Task 4: throw it gently up and catch it with one hand.
Teaching cues
- Fingers spread on the ball.
- One hand where you can.
- Have fun – feel the ball.
Make it easier
- Use a larger, softer ball.
- Do the tasks standing.
Make it harder
- Do the tasks while treading in deep water.
- Use the weaker hand.
Common faults
- Grabbing with both hands.
- Stiff fingers.
Corrections
- 'Soft fingers, like holding an egg.'
- 'Try your other hand too.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Hand out balls, demonstrate each task on the teacher's cue and collect stray balls.