Ball Lift and Hold
Hold the ball up out of the water with one hand while treading or standing, counting to five – the start of the passing position.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 8
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Treading Water, Ball Handling
- Equipment
- Water Polo Ball
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–20 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Skill Development 1
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Deep water only for confident swimmers.
What it develops
- Pick up, hold and release the ball one-handed
How to run it
- Swimmers pick the ball up with one hand and hold it just above shoulder height, palm under the ball, elbow bent.
- Hold for five seconds, lower to the water and swap hands.
- Progress from standing to treading water.
- Add a pretend pass – draw back and stop – before lowering.
Teaching cues
- Palm under the ball.
- Elbow up, wrist relaxed.
- Keep your legs working.
Make it easier
- Stand in shallow water.
Make it harder
- Hold the ball up while eggbeating for ten seconds.
- Hold it up while turning to face different directions.
Common faults
- Gripping the ball from the side like a bowling ball.
- Sinking when the arm lifts.
Corrections
- 'Balance it like a waiter's tray.'
- 'Kick harder when your arm goes up.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Count the five seconds aloud for the group and pass back any dropped balls.