Long and Short Passing
Alternate short, quick passes with longer passes using leg lift and body rotation – learning to add power without losing control.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Eggbeater, Passing
- Equipment
- Water Polo Ball
- Age
- 9–99 years
- Group size
- 2–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Clear lanes for long passes; nobody swims through a passing lane.
What it develops
- Accurate passing under light pressure
How to run it
- Pairs start three metres apart for short passes.
- After five, the receiver moves to six metres for a longer pass.
- For the long pass, rise on the eggbeater, rotate the shoulders and follow through towards the target.
- Alternate short and long on the teacher's call.
Teaching cues
- Legs give the power.
- Turn your shoulders.
- Follow through to the target.
Make it easier
- Long pass allowed to bounce on the water.
Make it harder
- Receive and pass long in one movement.
- Long pass to a moving target.
Common faults
- Arm-only throw for the long pass.
- Losing height while throwing.
Corrections
- 'Kick up as you throw.'
- 'Start the throw from your hips.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand on poolside in line with the long passes and call a warning if anyone swims across the passing lane.