How to Play Rough in Water Polo

Use the natural motions of your game to physically intimidate your opponents. An angry opponent loses sight of the big picture and often gets kicked out for violent retributions.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water Polo Balls
• Water polo balls

Guarding the Hole Set

1. Guard the hole set close to his or her back.

2. Eggbeater kick with high knees, striking your knee against his or her ribs and kidneys with each kick.

3. Keep your hands out of the water for the referee to see. Also keep an innocent, unaggressive expression on your face.

4. Relax your weight onto the hole set's back to wear down his or her eggbeater.

Rough Swimming

5. Swim freestyle with a light kick.

6. Allow an opponent to swim up onto your back.

7. Swim with high elbows, swinging them back into the opponent on your back.

8. Allow an opponent to swim up onto your legs.

9. Kick suddenly and furiously with your legs.

10. Integrate a single breaststroke kick into your freestyle kick to push off on a defender swimming on your back.

Tips & Warnings

• The purpose of sudden rough swimming is to make your opponent think twice about swimming up onto your back. Don't try to kick anyone's teeth in or gouge their eyes out. It's only a game. All you're doing is recommending to them firmly where not to swim.
• Be ready for the hole player to take a swing back at you, often with the elbow.
• 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 Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

on 6/30/2006 If you want to make sure your player isn't going anywhere, try wrapping both legs around his. Refs almost never sees this because of all the hubbub around the hole, and best of all; you're in complete control.

on 1/9/2008 On defense, when the ball is away from you, grab both of the offensive players elbows and start pushing them down. They will have to struggle to stay above the water and it will be unclear to the ref who is holding who. Their only way to retaliate will be to knee you in the groin or the stomach. As long as you keep them close, it will be very difficult for them to do this.

on 1/2/2006 When setting hole, keep your hips up! Push them forward and try to keep in control of them. When your hips are up, do a bit of eggbeater to push them forward!

on 11/22/2005 This tactic will work best if used when you are on offense. Get behind the defender/opponent and hook your toes into the back of their swim suit. Push your foot down as hard as you can and keep your hands in the air. If you keep your hands up and in sight, it will look like the opponent is trying to draw a foul. The downward motion of your foot will drag your opponent under the water. The ripples and bubbles on the surface will most likely not enable the referee to see you pulling the opponent down.

on 11/22/2005 It's hard to hit someone underwater to make them stop holding you, because the water slows down your fist. Instead, give them a good pinch on the back of the arm or inside of the thigh and they WILL let go.