How to Play the Goalie Position in Water Polo

 

Steps

Learn how to egg beater. This is a form of treading water by moving each leg in opposite circular rotations that helps you stay above water. While egg beating, move your hands shoulder distance in front of you and move them side to side near the surface of the water. (Both hands scoop water towards each other, both hands scoop water away from each other).

Know where the ball is at all times. If you don't know where the ball is, you can't block it.

Keep your hips up. This is most important when preparing for a shot. 

Always be ready. Shots usually come unexpectedly from the outside or from the set position.

When the ball is in set, keep your hips up and watch the ball. Have your hands treading water lightly on the surface ready to come up out of the water.

When a driver has the ball and is swimming up to the goal ready to shoot, look intimidating and be intimidating. Don't forget, if they are close enough to the goal, you can attack the player or knock the ball out of his/her hand.

When blocking the ball, do not swing at it. This will bounce the ball back out at the opposing team giving them another chance to shoot. Have you're hands ready to hit the ball down into your possession or out of bounds if necessary.

Position yourself correctly in the goal. Always be lunging distance away from all possible places where the ball could be shot. Try to position yourself between the ball and the center of the goal.

Tips

• Keep your hands at the surface of the water so when a shot is taken you can get them out quickly and with less drag.
• Don't lean forward when getting ready for a shot. This may be tempting if you're tired, but don't do it. This makes it harder to jump up higher out of the water (Makes you jump forward instead of up).
• Don't fall for the fakes. When someone fakes the ball, they want you to come up from the water ready to block, then they wait for you to go back down, then they shoot. Most of the time it is easy to tell when someone is going to fake it. (On a shot they follow through with the throw, on a fake they go halfway)
• Practice and train by doing goal lunges and egg beating with water jugs, weight belts, or weight balls.
• When a driver swims towards you with the ball ready to shoot, have your arms ready to swoop forwards into the player covering less space for them to shoot.
• NEVER hold the ball close the goal. This gives the other team a chance to push it in, or you could accidentally drop it into the goal.
• Don't be discouraged if you aren't good at first.
• When a player goes after you if you have the ball, swim either hard left or hard right (Which ever is closer). While doing this, have your hands light and quick on the water and keep you're elbows high in hopes elbowing the player (optional). Kick your legs hard making a splash making it harder for them to see. Defend the ball by all means.

Warnings

• Water Polo is an extremely aggressive sport.
• These instructions are for people who have the strength and skill as a water polo player ONLY.