How to Throw a Water Polo Ball

Throw from your shoulder to propel a water polo ball with force and accuracy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Swimming Trunks
• Swimsuits
• Swimming Caps
• Swimming Ear Plugs
• Swimming Goggles
• Swimming Nose Clip
• Water Polo Ball Bags
• Water Polo Balls
• Water polo balls
• Swimsuits

1. 

   Facing the target, with your hips beneath you, pick up the ball by bringing your hand up beneath the ball. Never pick up the ball from the top.

2. Carry the ball back behind your head into a cocked throwing position, with your hand below and slightly behind the ball.

3. 

   Using an egg-beater kick, raise your torso as high out of the water as you can. The higher out of the water you are, the more potential power your shot has.

4. 

   With your elbow slightly bent, rotate from your shoulder to throw the ball the same as you would throw a baseball. Be careful to throw from your shoulder and not from your elbow. Visualize your arm as a long whip cracking down, with the last part of the snap at your wrist. Your wrist is the source of the control and accuracy of your shot.

5. Follow all the way through with your arm, so that your hand slaps the water in front of you after you release the ball.

Tips & Warnings

• When passing, know which hand is your teammate's strong hand. Aim an arm's length over his head and on his strong side.
• When shooting, aim for the corners of the goal. Upper corners are the best, because they are the hardest for the goalie to reach.
• You can fake out the goalie by moving your elbow as if you're about to shoot, but not committing your shoulder and compromising your actual potential for a quick shot. If the goalie goes for any of your fakes, quickly shoot to the opposite side of the goal.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Who Can Help:

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on 11/22/2005 Once you are ready to make the pass or take the outside shot (at the zenith of your height out of the water--with your arm high in the air and pulled back behind you), it is important to make a hard kick with your rear leg.

Kick with your right leg if you?re passing with your right hand, left leg if using your left hand to pass.

Kicking with your rear leg will add a power and will make it harder for you to pass off your back--which will cause the ball to sail high.

Also, make sure that your elbow is as high as your ear as you rotate your shoulder to shoot. The higher your elbow, the less likely you are to shot put the ball and throw it over the cage.

Finally, follow through with a flat slap on the water (all fingers hit the water at the same time) with your passing/shooting hand. The flatter you slap the ball the more backspin you should have. Backspin will cause the ball to be powerful and on-target. Side spin can cause you to miss your target and can cut power. If you find that you have side spin in your shot/pass it usually means that your hand was on an angle, with your pinky hitting the water before the rest of your hand.

RECAP
1. Big rear leg kick = power + less likely to shoot high
2. Elbow high = less likely to shoot high + more potential power
3. Slap the water = backspin + smooth pin point shooting/passing

on 11/22/2005 when you set yourself for a shot have your front leg down and your back leg almost parallel to the surface. you want to almost be leaning a little forward towards your target. when throwing you want to shift first your back hip forward infront of your front hip crossing infront of your body let the rest of your body follow, catapulting your arm with the ball over your shoulder.

on 11/22/2005 Before you shoot, you should have the shoulder that is opposite to your throwing hand pointing toward the net. While you are throwing the ball, rotate your whole body. If done correctly you will end with your shoulders are either square to the net, or your throwing shoulder facing your target. Don't forget to follow through with the pass. Think of a baseball pitcher.