Water Polo : Plays - counter - Play

Objective: To make a quick and effective transition from attack to defence; to get an attacking player free in front of goal, while making secure passes up the right hand side.

Description:
The player defending the opposition player at 5 position cuts out (releases) to the wing in the team's own half looking for an early pass from the keeper. If the pass is received, he will look to make a pass up the right wing (he may pass another counter attacking player if there is a clear break at this moment). When the ball has progressed, he continues to move forward, drawing his defender.

#4's defender releases further upfield, in the opposition half, looking for the pass from #1's defender or from the goalkeeper. He will then look to feed another player countering up the middle or left hand side (a possible pass is illustrated). When the ball has progressed, he continues to move forward, drawing his defender. If unmarked he may also advance the ball on the goal himself.

#6's defender drives to up the middle, through to 2 metres, getting free if possible, but otherwise swimming the opposition centre forward end-to-end.

#2's defender drives up the middle cutting out to the left if he does not receive the ball on the break.

#1's defender drives to up the middle, through to 2 metres if he gets ahead of his defender.

#3's defender drives on to the opposition 2 metres and cuts out right if he does not receive the ball.

In general if a player is free, he should drive through to 2 metres. If he does not receive the ball, he should move out to the wing.

The goalkeeper looks right for the pass (unless there is another obvious option), making a pass to the first, or sometimes second, wing (these are the defenders breaking from attackers 4 and 5).

Attackers quickly balance up into their normal set attack positions if the team retains possession and a goal has not been scored.

With thanks to Carl Ainley.