Communication Calls
Teams agree a few simple calls – 'man on', 'free', 'switch', 'back' – and earn bonus points in a game for using them.
- Stages
- Water Polo – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Game Awareness
- Equipment
- Water Polo Ball, Team Caps or Bibs
- Age
- 9–99 years
- Group size
- 6–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 7 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 2, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Usual no-contact game rules apply.
What it develops
- Communicate and play fairly to the rules
How to run it
- Teach four calls: 'free' (I'm open), 'man on' (defender close), 'switch' (swap who you mark), 'back' (get back to defend).
- Practise the calls in a passing drill.
- Play a short game where a team earns a bonus point each time the teacher hears a correct call that changes the play.
- Discuss which call helped most.
Teaching cues
- Short, loud and clear.
- Call early.
- Listen to your team.
Make it easier
- Use only 'free' and 'back'.
Make it harder
- Team captain sets up a simple plan using the calls.
Common faults
- Calls are too late.
- Everyone shouting at once.
Corrections
- 'Call before you need it.'
- 'One voice at a time.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Listen to one team and tally correct calls for the bonus points.