Water Polo: Similar Elements in Competitive Swimming

rose-bowl-san-diego-shores-water-polo-junior-olympics-2014 (33)

By Dennis D’Abbraccio, Swimming World College Intern

Water Polo is a healthy alternative activity that is picking up in popularity. The game was introduced into the Olympics in 1900. Although men’s water polo has been a sport since 1900, women’s water polo had not been introduced to the Olympics until the 2000 Sydney Games.

There are elements of water polo that can translate into swim training. Although swimming is an important quality in water polo, it is not necessarily the most important.

Treading water for as long as an hour has the same effect on the lower body as a moderate kick set. This will help stronger kicking in races as well as pushing off the blocks and the wall on turns. Along with treading water, swimming with and without the ball has similar elements from participating in a swim practice.

Swimming when playing polo for one hour in a standard 25-meter pool has similar effects of two-dozen 25-meter sprints. This correlates with cardio and arm strength to that of swimming.

There are ways to strengthen water polo playing skills to make the game more fun.

Here are some helpful tips:

Swimming Ball Handling –
When moving with the ball, swim (what is loosely known as) “Tarzan” style with your arms and head out of the water. Standard swimming with the head in the water will only take up more time and make the path less straight. When swimming like this, push the ball with your shoulder and upper arm. This allows direct swimming paths that are quick and efficient. This element will also work as an aerobic workout for swimmers to strengthen the core muscles.

Practice Treading Water –
Treading water helps immensely with the leg strength portion of the game. The standard Olympic pool for Polo ranges from 10×20 meters to 20×30 meters. Most people playing will not be using this size of pool and will stick to the typical 25 – meter pool. Whichever size pool is in use, focus on the basis of the game with treading water to build core and leg strength. As mentioned above, treading water helps strengthen the lower body to practice stronger kicks off the blocks and walls.

Stay Unselfish –
Water Polo is a team sport. Nobody on any team ever like a ball hog, who tries to score all the points. Make sure to pass the ball to the open swimmer and stay alert for passes and possible shots opportunities.

Defense –
All defensive swimmers need to remain ball side. In other words, do not let your guarded man have free and open space towards the goal. This will allow open passes for the other team as well as open shots against your teams goalie.

Most local pools or YMCAs have water polo games and or leagues in place. If there is an alternative activity that people want to do for a good workout, water polo is a solid choice. Many elements of the game correlate to competitive swimming practices. This allows a different and fun alternative for competitive swimming if you are looking to get away from staring at a black line every day.

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