Target Shooting
Hoops or markers hung in an empty goal (or on the wall) become targets – swimmers score points for accuracy, not power.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 9, Water Polo – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Shooting
- Equipment
- Hoops, Water Polo Ball, Goals or Targets
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 2–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 7 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 2, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- No goalkeeper and nobody in front of the goal during target practice; goals secured.
What it develops
- Introductory shooting at a target
- Shooting with lift and follow-through
How to run it
- Set up targets in the corners of an empty goal or marked areas on the wall.
- Swimmers take turns shooting from about four metres, using lift, draw back and release.
- Points: 3 for a corner target, 1 for anywhere on target.
- Move back a metre after three good shots.
Teaching cues
- Accuracy first.
- Look at the target, not the ball.
- Follow through.
Make it easier
- Closer range; larger targets.
Make it harder
- Shoot with the weaker hand.
- Shoot after a short dribble.
Common faults
- Trying to shoot too hard and missing.
- Looking at the ball when shooting.
Corrections
- 'Smooth beats hard.'
- 'Pick your spot, then shoot.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Keep score and manage the queue so only one swimmer shoots at a time, retrieving balls when the teacher stops the shooting.