Water polo: difficulty catching one-handed

The ball bounces off a stiff hand or is fumbled into the water.

Activities that help

• Ball Handling Warm-Up Lines – Two lines pass across the pool while swimmers tread, with each pass followed by a swim to the back of the opposite line – a busy, efficient warm-up.
• Catch-and-Release Rhythm – Receive the ball and pass it on in one smooth movement – catch, draw back, release – so play keeps flowing.
• High Ball Catch – Receive a higher, looping pass by rising on the eggbeater and catching it one-handed above the head – controlling passes that aren't perfect.
• Hot Potato Passing – A quick-passing circle where nobody may hold the ball for more than two seconds – fast hands, soft catches and lots of touches.
• Partner Dry Pass – Pairs pass so the ball arrives in the partner's raised hand without touching the water – the 'dry pass' that keeps play moving.
• Swim, Turn and Receive – Swimmers swim away from a passer, turn quickly on a call and show a hand to receive – combining direction change and receiving.
• Treading Passing Circle – Small groups tread water in a circle and pass the ball around one-handed, building ball control while staying upright.
• Wall Passing – Pass the ball against the pool wall and catch it one-handed – lots of repetitions without needing an accurate partner.