How to Shoot a Backhand Shot in Water Polo

From the hole position, lean forward and swing your arm backward to shoot a quick no-look shot on goal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water Polo Balls
• Water polo balls

1. Set the hole position at the 2-meter line with your defender behind you. Your hips should be up in front of you with your back against your defender.

2. Receive a wet pass. A perfect wet pass will land an arm's length from your body.

3. 

   Sprawl forward, grabbing the ball underneath as you do. The change of position should be quick enough to give you a second free from your defender.

4. 

   Roll your hand over the top of the ball quickly, so that your elbow is pointed up and your hand is holding the ball thumb-down.

5. 

   Shoot the ball backward at the goal, firing from your shoulder and flicking your wrist at the end of the shot to direct the ball. Do it quickly and without looking back.

Tips & Warnings

• The key to this shot is the quickness. The goalie and defender should have no time to react.
• Know where the goal is behind you, and if possible, know where the goalie is. As you begin to get the hang of shooting backhand shots, you'll start to be able to control your shots.
• 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.

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on 3/21/2006 Make sure that when you are grabbing the ball you overextend your hand over the top of the ball so you are holding it securely in between your wrist and your hand. This makes the ball more secure and therefore less likely to be knocked out of your hand in the pit.

on 11/22/2005 the trick to this is very simple. make sure that your hand is not on the water and that you lift the ball. preferably give it an upwards angle.

make sure that you do not shoot at the goalie. even if you don't know where he is, you can guess to it. he will usually be on the side that the ball came from or in the middle (depending on how long it takes you to shoot).


some defenders will learn that you are going to do this if you try it more than once, and block the shoot easily. if this happens more than once just get on your back, get your knee up so that they can't swim at you, and shoot a high corner shot.

on 11/22/2005 If possible, during practice train with your goalie to mirror the opponents goalie. This way without looking back you know where the shot should go. This only works if your goalie is alert and knows what to do.