Water Polo Positions

Water Polo is a team water sport involving players passing the ball and simultaneously swimming. In addition to this, a team has to at the same time defend its goal and score by throwing the ball in the opponent's net. This makes it very similar to the game called team handball. Now as in any other team sport, there are specific player positions with duties and roles attached to it. This text to come will tell you more about water polo positions.

Positions on a Water Polo Team

Team Build Up
Before we actually get to the positions of players in water polo, a bit about the formation of the team is essential. The team is made up of 7 players, including the goal keeper. Except the goal keeper all the other players are allowed to move in the playing area in the swimming pool. They have to score and defend goals. In many team sports there is not much emphasis on particular positions. The focus and the essence is all about the efforts to get the game in your favor and play as the game unfolds. This is why there is flexibility in these positions and if one player is in an offensive position for example, he can always move to defense if the game demands so. That is also the reason for water polo teams having utility players, who can double up as both - offensive as well as defensive players. Let's now take a look at the positions.

Offensive Positions
The offensive positions are meant for attacking and scoring goals. These positions are -

One Center
The position one center refers to a 2 meter defense. This position is also termed as hole sam, set, hole man, bucket, pit player and pit-man. The center has the role of directing the other players in the offensive flank. This position allows the player to oppose the opponent's goal keeper to unleash powerful shots from close range. Further there are two wings, two drivers (also called 'flats') on the periphery of the 2 main water polo positions.

One Point Sam
The player in this position is the farthest from the goal. Once the center forward sets up in front of the goal keeper of the opposite team, sam scores the most number of goals. Further there are two wings, two drivers (also called "flats") on the periphery of the 2 main water polo positions.

Defensive Positions
The defensive positions are not different from the offensive positions and as mentioned earlier, players switch between offense and defense. For example, the hole set or the center forward who is responsible for the attack and offense, if he in the defending flank, it is called a 'Hole D'. Now he will have to guard his team's goal from the opposing one center. Defense is played either through the man-to-man tactic or zone wise. In a type of defense known as the 'M drop' defense, the 2 wing defenders split the area which is farthest from the goal. That allows them to get a clear route for counter attack if their team gets possession.

The Goalkeeper
The goal keeper as in any other team game involving goal-scoring is an extremely important player, needless to say. It is a pretty challenging position, though, compared to the other water polo positions. He should be strong and agile enough to jump out of the water and hold fort, in a straight and vertical position. All this without sinking in the water. The answer through the perspective of the goalkeeper to the question how to guard the hole position in water polo is being an expert in fast and effective lateral movement in the water and rapid lunges out of the water for defecting a shot. All this, while guiding his or her team about an anticipated or preempted shot as well as plugging the chinks in the defense armor. If the goal keeper is within a 5 meter area in front of his goal, he can handle the ball. Furthermore, he can also touch the bottom of the pool in case the depth of the pool allows. But at the same time, a goal keeper cannot cross the half distance line.

That was all about how to play the goalie position in water polo and in general the explanation of what is the positions concept in water polo.

Water polo is all about 'swimming with the tide' and changing your strategies as you go along! This is where I sign off!