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Ball Retrieval Relay

Teams swim head-up to a ball, pick it up one-handed and pass it back to the next swimmer – a fun way to rehearse swimming, pick-ups and passing together.

Stages
Water Polo – Stage 8, Water Polo – Stage 9
Difficulty
Beginner
Skills
Head-Up Swimming, Ball Handling, Passing
Equipment
Water Polo Ball
Age
8–99 years
Group size
4–20 swimmers
Time
About 6 minutes
In a lesson
Introduction / Warm-up, Game / Consolidation
Shared by
SwimShare Resource

Safety notes

  • Lanes or clear spaces between teams; passes to the hand, not the face.

What it develops

  • Pick up, hold and release the ball one-handed
  • Pass and receive over short distances
  • Pass and receive while moving

How to run it

  1. Teams line up at the wall; a ball floats five metres in front of each team.
  2. First swimmer swims head-up to the ball, picks it up one-handed and passes it back to the next swimmer.
  3. The next swimmer places the ball back on the water at the marker, then swims back – or is passed the ball as they arrive.
  4. Points for one-handed pick-ups and catches, not just speed.

Teaching cues

  • Head up to find the ball.
  • One-hand pick-up.
  • Pass to your team-mate's hand.

Make it easier

  • Shorter distance; two-handed catches allowed for the receiver.

Make it harder

  • Dribble the ball back instead of passing.
  • Pass must be caught dry.

Common faults

  • Face-in swimming and overshooting the ball.
  • Two-handed pick-up in the rush.

Corrections

  • 'Slow down near the ball.'
  • 'Hide your other hand.'

Assistant / L1 role

  • Judge one team's pick-ups and award the technique points while the teacher runs the relay.

Helps with