POSITIONS
In a water polo game there are seven players in the water from each team at one time. Unlike most team sports, there is very little positional play in water polo. Field players will often play several positions throughout the game depending on the given situations. The positions are hole set (center), point (the person who typically plays hole defense), two wings and two posts. Water polo players who are capable of playing all of these positions on offense or defense are called utility players. Utility players often come off the bench when their skills are needed. Although most people can play all positions, certain body types are more suited for particular positions. An example of this is that left-handed players are better placed on the right- hand side of the pool because it gives them a better shooting angle, giving teams the opportunity to be a threat on both sides of the pool.
A diagram of the offensive numbering system in water polo.
A hole set struggling to gain possession of the ball.
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Offense
The offensive positions in a water polo game include: a center (a.k.a. hole set), two wings (located on or near the two-meter), two drivers/flats (usually located at five- meters on the goal posts), and one point player (located at the five-meter mark), typically, in the middle of the goal. The wings, drivers, and point players are often referred to as perimeter players. The typical numbering system for these positions begins with the offensive wing to the right side of the opposing goalie is called one. The flat/driver that is counter clockwise from position one is called two. Moving in that same direction, the point player is three, the next flat/driver is four, the second wing is five, and the hole set is the six. The most basic and popular offensive set up is known as a 3-3. It is given this name because there are two lines of three players in front of the opposing goal. Another offensive set up, used more commonly by professional teams, is called umbrella or "arc", where perimeter players form an arc around the goal, with the hole set in the middle. A additional offensive set-up is the 4-2 or double set. This is when there are two hole sets in front of the goal. |
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Defense
Defensive positions are often the same as the offensive positions, just switched over. Like most team sports, defense can be played either in zones or man-to-man. Defense can also be played as a combination of both zone and man-to-man in what is known as an "M drop" defense, in which the main defender sloughs off his or her defender into a zone in order to better defend the center position. In this defense, both wing defenders split the area that is farthest from the goal, allowing them a clearer lane for the counter-attack if their team steals the ball. |
An example of how to play good defense.
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A goalie blocking a shot.
Famous USA goalie, Betsy Armstrong, stops a shot.
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Goalie
The goalkeeper position is one of the most challenging positions in water polo. A goalie must have the ability to jump out of the water, using just their core and leg strength, and hold that vertical position without falling down into the water, all while tracking and anticipating a shot. For a goalie to be able to cover the whole cage (goal), the goalie must be very fast and effective at both lateral movement as well as being able to quickly lunge out of the water to stop a shot. An additional task of the goalie is to guide/lead their team on defense, whether it be telling them where to line up, or helping them to identify a gap in the defense and to fix it. On the offensive end of the pool, the goalie is the "quarterback" of the play as they typically begin the offensive play with their pass. A goalie may also make an assist to a teammate by passing the ball to them on a break way/counter attack. The goalkeeper is given privileges above all other players, as they are able to touch the ball with two hands, are allowed to stop the ball with a clenched fist, and can stand on the bottom of the pool when conditions permit. The one limitation that the goalie has that other players do not is that he or she cannot cross half pool. In addition to this, if a goalie pushes the ball underwater, it is a penalty, which results in the other team getting to take a 5-meter shot. |
