Part 1: The Center Position (2-Meter) — Why It’s the Heart of the Game

This week, we’re starting a series on something that many young players (and parents) don’t fully understand yet:

Every position in water polo matters.
And when each position is played correctly, the entire team plays better.

So let’s start with one of the most misunderstood—and most powerful—roles in the sport:

The Center position (also called 2-meter, hole set, or simply center).

A lot of people think the center is just the player who wrestles in front of the goal. But the truth is:

A great center doesn’t just fight.
A great center controls the game.

Centers influence:

• how the defense collapses

• how much space your shooters get

• how often your team earns exclusions (6 on 5)

• how your defense sets up against the opponent

• how tired the other team gets over four quarters

If you want to understand water polo deeply, start here.

What Is the Center Position?

The center plays right in front of the goal, around the 2-meter line, trying to establish position between the defender and the cage.

Think of the center as:

• a target (an option to pass into)

• a magnet (pulls defenders in)

• a creator (creates power plays and scoring chances)

Even if the center doesn’t score, they can still be the reason your team wins.

Why the Center Is So Important

1) The Center Creates the Best Scoring Chances in Water Polo

The best shot in water polo is usually:

• a close-range shot

• a 6-on-5 (man-up) shot

• a shot created by defensive collapse

Centers help create all three.

When a center establishes position and becomes a real threat:

• defenders panic

• help defense collapses

• perimeter players get cleaner looks

• goalies get screened

• exclusions happen more often

One strong center forces the opponent to make uncomfortable decisions all game.

2) The Center Controls Space (And Space = Goals)

Water polo is a space sport.

If you control space, you control the offense.

When a center moves correctly and fights for position:

• defenders are pulled inward

• wings and flats get more room to drive

• perimeter passing becomes easier

• your team can run structured offense

When there is no center threat, the defense can stay higher, steal passes, and pressure everything.

So even youth teams benefit massively from learning basic center concepts early—not just “wrestling,” but spacing and movement.

3) The Center Is a “Foul Generator” (In a Good Way)

One of the biggest jobs of the center is to force the defender to foul.

Why? Because fouls are information:

• they tell you how the defender is playing you

• they create moments of advantage

• they help you get separation

• they lead to exclusions and goals

A smart center understands:

• when to hold position

• when to step across

• when to spin

• when to show hands

• when to be patient

The center is constantly turning physical contact into tactical advantage.

What a Center Does on Offense

A) Establish Position First (Before Asking for the Ball)

Young centers often make a mistake: they ask for the ball before they have position.

Rule:
Position first. Ball second.

A good center works to:

• get hips up

• stay balanced

• place their body between defender and goal

• keep the defender behind or to the side

When you have position, the pass becomes easier and safer.

B) Show a Target Without Giving the Defender an Easy Steal

A center has to be visible and available—but not careless.

A great center:

• shows a strong target hand

• keeps the ball-side shoulder ready

• protects passing lane by body angle

• communicates with perimeter (“in”, “over”, “hold”, etc.)

The best centers make the entry pass feel simple for their teammates.

C) Finish Efficiently (Not Fancy)

At the youth level, the best centers score with simple finishes:

• quick turn and shoot

• step-across finish

• backhand only when correct

• draw exclusion and reset

The goal is not to do the most dramatic move.

The goal is to:

• score

• earn an exclusion

• or create an easy goal for a teammate

D) Be the Engine of 6-on-5 Opportunities

When the center is strong, the defense has to choose:

• press hard and risk an exclusion

• drop and give up outside shots

• double-team and give up a free perimeter player

That’s why centers are crucial.
They create the math advantage.

And once your team has a man-up, your scoring chances rise dramatically.

What a Center Does on Defense

Many people forget that centers are not just offensive players.

A great center must also defend, transition, and read the game.

A) Sprint and Transition (Centers Can’t Be Slow)

Modern water polo demands transition.

Centers must:

• get back on defense

• avoid giving up counterattack goals

• communicate matchups

• protect the middle when needed

At youth level: if a center is “walking back,” your team gets punished.

Even if you are a center, your job is still:
swim first, then wrestle.

B) Defend Set (Guard the Other Team’s Center)

On defense, your center (or your biggest player) often has to guard the opponent’s set.

This role is physically demanding and highly tactical.

A good set defender must:

• keep hips up

• stay over the opponent (not behind)

• control inside water

• avoid unnecessary exclusions

• force bad passes and bad angles

This is where teams win or lose games.

Because if your team cannot defend set, everything collapses:

• help defense over-commits

• perimeter gets open shots

• exclusions pile up

• your goalie gets overwhelmed

C) Anchor Communication

Centers (and set defenders) often have the best view of the pool.

They should communicate:

• “drop”

• “help”

• “switch”

• “press”

• “shot clock” awareness

At higher levels, centers become field generals.

What Makes a Great Center (Youth Focus)

You do NOT need to be the biggest kid to be a great center.

At ages 10–15, the best centers are usually the ones with:

• strong legs (eggbeater)

• balance and body position

• toughness + patience

• smart movement

• ability to catch under pressure

• willingness to work

The #1 Center Skill: Legs

Your legs decide everything:

• whether you hold position

• whether you can turn

• whether you can receive contact

• whether you can finish

If your legs are weak, you sink. If you sink, you lose position.

Common Mistakes Youth Centers Make

1) Fighting with arms instead of legs

If you’re grabbing and pulling, you’re wasting energy and risking exclusions.

The best centers fight with:

• hips up

• legs

• body angles

• timing

2) Asking for the ball with no position

That leads to steals and turnovers.

3) Holding too long

A center must decide quickly:

• finish

• draw exclusion

• kick out / reset

4) Stopping after a missed pass

Centers must re-post, re-fight, re-present.

Every possession is a new battle.

How to Train for Center (Simple Focus Areas)

1) Eggbeater / Hips-Up Fundamentals

If you want to be a great center, start here:

• posture

• stability

• endurance

• explosive lift

2) Catching Under Pressure

You must catch cleanly while being pushed.

Train:

• strong wrist

• quiet hands

• quick decision

3) Turns and Finishes

Keep it simple:

• step across

• quick turn

• protect ball

• finish high percentage

4) Mindset: Love the Physical Work

Center is uncomfortable.
That’s why it’s valuable.

If you learn to be calm in contact, you become rare.

Why Every Team Needs a Center (Even at Youth Level)

Some youth teams avoid using a center because it’s “too physical.”

But if you teach center fundamentals correctly, it becomes:

• a development tool

• a tactical advantage

• a way to teach positioning and spacing

• a way to create confidence and toughness

And the best part: it makes everyone better.

• perimeter learns better entry passing

• wings learn timing

• whole team learns spacing

• defense learns how to help properly

Train the Center Fundamentals with Waterpolo University

For Players and Families

If you want a step-by-step system to improve fundamentals (eggbeater, body position, passing/catching, shooting, defense) and stop feeling lost between practices, join Waterpolo University.

• Individual & Family Memberships: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/8d727d04-d59f-44f4-919b-2f6e88f08cbf

• Browse All Courses: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/09999969-11d2-451a-bfce-0b93de81a66b

For Clubs and Coaches

If you’re a coach and you want your whole team aligned with the same fundamentals language (including center basics, positioning, and athlete development), our Club Licenses give your athletes structured access all season.

• Explore Club Licenses: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/dcefd6da-89bc-4bb1-b026-2f297d4e4ad3