Ball Handling – swimming activities

Picking up, holding, controlling and releasing a ball in the water, one-handed.

Activities

• Ball Familiarisation Circuit – A relaxed circuit of ball tasks – push, spin, lift, roll and catch – so swimmers get used to the feel of the ball in the water.
• Ball Lift and Hold – Hold the ball up out of the water with one hand while treading or standing, counting to five – the start of the passing position.
• Ball Push Dribble – Head-up front crawl with the ball pushed along on the bow wave between the arms – the basic water polo dribble.
• 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.
• Dribble Slalom – Dribble the ball around a slalom of floats, changing direction without losing control.
• Eggbeater Rise and Hold – Rise high on the eggbeater and hold the ball up with one hand for a count, then lower and recover – builds the stable base for passing and shooting.
• Fake and Pass – Pump-fake one way, pass the other – a simple way to move a defender and open a passing lane.
• 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.
• Lift, Cock and Release – Break shooting into three parts – lift the ball, draw it back behind the head, release towards the target – practised slowly before adding power.
• Lob Shot Introduction – A soft, high shot that drops into the goal over a raised arm – introduces touch and control rather than power.
• One-Hand Pick-Up – Learn to lift the ball off the water with one hand – scooping from underneath and lifting from on top – without the other hand helping.
• Water Polo Taster – Head-up front crawl dribbling a ball and passing while treading water – a fun introduction to water polo skills.