Play Hole Set in Water Polo

The hole set in polo is the equivalent of a center in basketball; his job is to allow for offensive progression. It is the most important position. A team with a dominant hole-set is usually a challenge to defeat, so picking the right person is important. He must have long arms, good hands and legs, and cannot be short tempered. Here's how to be a good one.

Steps : Get in the right position. You want to push your defender back, with your hips out in front of you. When the ball is passed, this enables you to step out to it and score. In times when you cannot score, you also have the option of turning your defender. If you can successfully put the defender on your back, the referee will reward your team with an ejection or a 5-meter. A hole set can also take a foul and allow for the 2 and 4 positions to drive.

Choose your type of shot. There are several types:

• Sweep -- The ball is cradled using your wrist and released after a quick turn. The key to this shot is quickness.
• Backhand -- Hold the ball with your wrist pointing forward and you release it quickly. This shot is best taken when the pass comes in from the flat and you are positioned on the far post so you have entire cage.
• Lay-out. This shot requires the player to step out to the ball and then come forward to shoot. A defender may reach forward to block the ball. In this situation, you can fake a shot and turn them or you may change your angle of shooting. For instance lean back, then wait for the defender's move. Once he moves, move your upper body left. This confuses the goalie and the defense. But remember, quickness is the key for success.
• Opposite Hand -- work on picking the ball up and shooting with your opposite hand. If the defender knows that you are right handed, he will most likely shade your strong side leaving you open to make a move to shoot with your left hand.

Don't be afraid to push off the defender to separate yourself from him in order to get yourself free to shoot. Make sure your hand is positioned below the water and that your movement is not very aggressive.

Never shoot on the first pass into 2 meters unless you have a clear shot. It's always easier to get a shot off out of 2 meters if you shoot on the 2nd or 3rd pass into set. If you don't have a good shot, take the foul or dish the ball to the perimeter.

Tips

• Try different ways of scoring, front hand sweeper shot, back hand, roll-outs, and more, experiment.
• At higher levels of water polo, the defenders will front the hole-set position. In this case, you should push the defender upwards and receive a pass from one of the two wings.
• A note about sweep shots: Always lead with your shoulder. This gives the ball more momentum as it leaves your hand.
• Make the defender work. Good teams put their best player to guard hole. If you make him tired your team has a good chance of winning
• 2 meter players need to have the 2nd best legs in the pool (next to the goalies). Always rest with your hands up to condition your legs during practice.
• Be quick. Know what you want to do before the ball comes. Though the position requires you to be physical, you can also be finesse. You can roll or spin when the defender grabs you.
• Referees favor the offense. There is no shame in acting or make agony noises when playing hole.
• If you are not a fast swimmer, don't worry. Not many hole-sets are. You still must react quickly and play "position" water polo.