Goalkeeper Ready Position
An introduction to the goalkeeper's basic stance – high on the eggbeater, hands up and ready – with soft, gentle shots only.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Skills
- Eggbeater, Game Awareness
- Equipment
- Water Polo Ball, Goals or Targets, Team Caps or Bibs
- Age
- 9–99 years
- Group size
- 2–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Gentle, soft throws only, from close range, never at the head; use soft balls.
- Goalkeepers may wear a cap with ear guards if available.
What it develops
- Simple team defending and recovering
How to run it
- Goalkeeper treads in front of a goal, hands at shoulder height, palms forward, using a strong eggbeater.
- A partner holds the ball up and moves it left and right; the goalkeeper follows with the body and hands.
- Partner makes gentle, slow throws to the side; the goalkeeper reaches to block, never diving.
- Rotate so everyone tries.
Teaching cues
- Stay high on your legs.
- Hands up and ready.
- Move with the ball.
Make it easier
- Practise the stance without throws.
Make it harder
- Partner throws to either side after a fake.
Common faults
- Sinking low with hands down.
- Flinching away from the ball.
Corrections
- 'Legs keep you high.'
- 'Watch the ball all the way.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Act as the gentle thrower for one goalkeeper, keeping throws soft and to the side as the teacher directs.