7 Common Mistakes Young Water Polo Players Make and How to Avoid Them

Every great water polo player starts as a beginner. And along the way, mistakes happen — lots of them. The difference between players who stay stuck and those who rise to the top is simple: the best players learn from their mistakes and fix them early.

In this blog, we’ll cover the 7 most common mistakes young water polo players make and give you clear strategies to correct them. If you’re between the ages of 10 and 16, this might be the most important guide you’ll read this season.

Mistake 1: Neglecting the Eggbeater

The eggbeater is the foundation of water polo — yet many young players rush past it. They’d rather focus on shooting or driving without building the leg strength to stay high in the water.

Fix: Dedicate time every week to eggbeater drills. Aim for quality, not just endurance — focus on staying balanced, controlling your hips, and keeping your head steady. Strong eggbeater = everything else becomes easier.

Mistake 2: Watching the Ball Instead of the Game

Beginners often lock their eyes on the ball. The problem? By the time the ball gets to you, it’s too late to react.

Fix: Learn to see the whole pool. Watch defenders, anticipate drives, and scan for open teammates. High-IQ players look away from the ball just as much as they look at it.

Mistake 3: Shooting Too Hard, Too Often

Every young player wants to score goals — usually by throwing as hard as possible. But forcing bad shots wastes possessions and builds bad habits.

Fix: Focus on shot selection. Learn when to fake, when to pass, and when to shoot. Remember: the best players know that smart shots beat hard shots every time.

Mistake 4: Forgetting Defense

It’s easy to fall in love with offense. But water polo is won just as much on defense. Ignoring your defensive role makes you a liability in the pool.

Fix: Take pride in defense. Learn body positioning, how to press without fouling, and how to stay between your man and the goal. Coaches notice defenders as much as scorers.

Mistake 5: Poor Body Position

New players often play too flat, with hips sinking and shoulders barely above water. This wastes energy and limits your power.

Fix: Keep your hips high and chest up. Practice vertical drills and core stability exercises on land. Playing tall in the water makes you stronger and more effective in every situation.

Mistake 6: Not Communicating

Silence in the pool is a major problem. If you’re not talking, you’re not helping your team.

Fix: Speak up. Call out drives, direct your defense, and ask for the ball when you’re open. Communication builds team trust and raises your game IQ.

Mistake 7: Skipping Fundamentals

Many young players want to jump straight into advanced tactics, but the basics — passing, eggbeater, positioning — are what separate good players from great ones.

Fix: Never stop drilling fundamentals. Even Olympic athletes still work on passing and positioning every single practice.

Conclusion

Every water polo player makes mistakes — but the best players learn from them quickly. By fixing these 7 common errors, you’ll give yourself a huge advantage over others your age.

Remember: success in water polo isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware, making adjustments, and committing to improvement every single day.

So the next time you jump in the pool, ask yourself: Which of these mistakes can I fix today?