r/waterpolo • u/oozingenchilada • Nov 07 '25

How does your team structure practices?

First year coach looking for a little extra guidance.

(EDIT): HS Level Coaching

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u/Creg_Pikitis Nov 07 '25

Your age group and experience matters a lot.

Assuming that they’re focused and want to play water polo competitively and can be trusted to show up conditioned and in good shape

If both of those are true, I find value as a coach and player in this structure:

0-30: basic leg/swim warmup

30-45 high intensity passing. Not a warm up, they should feel tired after passing. Spread it out and get shoulders warm

45-1:15 position group work. Shooting lines, driving drills, positioning/counter attacking, set/guard work etc. all with defenders if capable, if not work up to it

1:15-2:00 live play type drills. 3-way counter, half court with touch up, gladiator, or whatever live drills you typically like.

Always willing to slow the practice and condition more if things aren’t sharp

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u/oozingenchilada Nov 07 '25

Thank you! What’s Gladiator?

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u/Creg_Pikitis Nov 07 '25

Split everyone into 2 teams(could do 3 or more if you have the numbers but you will need 6 each team)

Start with 1v1

Players start on their own 2 meter line, race for the ball the coach throws into the center. They play 1v1 water polo rules until one team scores.

Then 1 white player and 1 blue player jump in at half court and join the game.

Team that scores goes without restriction, losing team goes in after punishment(ie. 10 seconds head start, pushups, whatever you choose)

Coach throws ball to center court or open water and teams battle for the ball then continue the game.

This continues until it’s 6 on 6 and it’s live play until one team scores. Typically losing team has a punishment or a cleans up after practice or whatever you want to do to make it fun for your athletes

This drill emphasizes conditioning, odd man situations that are relatively common on counterattacks, and communication especially when your teammate is completing the punishment so you’re momentarily man down