The 5 Most Common Mistakes Water Polo Players Aged 10-14 Make — And How to Fix Them

Water polo is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports for young athletes. Between the endurance required, the technical skills, and the game IQ, it’s no wonder that players between the ages of 10 and 14 often fall into common habits that can hold back their development. These mistakes may seem small at first, but if not corrected early, they can become hard to break as the player progresses.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or a young player yourself, this blog will break down the five most common water polo mistakes made by youth players and how to fix them, helping set the foundation for long-term success.

Let’s dive in.

1. Elbow Alignment: The Foundation of a Strong Shot

The Mistake: One of the most frequent technical flaws seen in youth water polo players is incorrect elbow positioning during shooting. Many players tend to align their elbow with their ear or even below it, instead of keeping it high and above shoulder level. This reduces their ability to generate power and results in a weak push rather than a powerful whip-like shot.

Why It’s a Problem: Shooting with a low elbow removes the use of key muscle groups like the shoulder, back, and core. It isolates the motion to the arm, limiting strength, speed, and accuracy. Additionally, it increases the risk of injury due to poor mechanics.

How to Fix It:

• Dryland drills focusing on shoulder mobility and high elbow positioning.

• Practice shadow shooting in front of a mirror to self-correct form.

• Film practice shots to review elbow height.

• Coaches should continuously reinforce the idea of elbow "above the head," not "next to the ear."

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2. Improper Body Position: The Core of Every Action

The Mistake: Young players often don’t realize that body position is just as important as technique. Whether you're passing, shooting, or defending, your core must be engaged and your body must be upright, stable, and balanced. Many youth players lean too far back or forward, losing efficiency in their movements.

Why It’s a Problem: Incorrect body posture reduces your ability to pass with precision, shoot with power, or maintain position on defense. Worse, it can become an ingrained habit that’s hard to correct later. If a player hasn't learned correct body position by 14, they risk being left behind as the game gets faster and more physical.

How to Fix It:

• Incorporate vertical sculling drills and eggbeater conditioning to strengthen upright posture.

• Practice passing and shooting in place to reinforce balance.

• Review video footage to assess positioning during key moments.

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3. Poor Game Positioning: Skills Without Context

The Mistake: Many young players may know how to swim fast, shoot hard, or defend well in isolation—but they lack game sense. They don’t know where to be or when to be there. This mistake often looks like good skills being wasted because of bad decisions or being out of place.

Why It’s a Problem: Water polo is a tactical sport. Being out of position means being late to drives, out of passing lanes, or poorly spaced on defense. It makes your effort ineffective.

How to Fix It:

• Watch full-game replays and stop at key moments to ask: "Where should I be?"

• Play small-sided games that emphasize spacing, timing, and positioning.

• Use whiteboard sessions to review game scenarios and decision-making.

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4. Sacrificing Technique for Power

The Mistake: A common trap for 10-14U players is trying to shoot harder by using more force instead of better mechanics. They start to "muscle" the ball, throwing with their arm only, neglecting body rotation, balance, and follow-through. It might look more powerful in the short term, but it kills long-term development.

Why It’s a Problem: Overpowering shots without correct form limits accuracy and increases injury risk. It also sets back development when players try to "relearn" proper shooting later on.

How to Fix It:

• Focus on perfect form at 75% effort, increasing speed only as technique remains stable.

• Incorporate resistance band shooting to develop fluid mechanics.

• Regularly break down shooting into step-by-step progressions (leg drive, rotation, release).

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5. Lack of Consistency in Practice

The Mistake: Perhaps the most critical error players make is simply not showing up enough. Missing practices leads to regression in conditioning, technique, and chemistry with teammates. Many young players attend sporadically, assuming they'll improve just by showing up once or twice a week.

Why It’s a Problem: Water polo is not a natural environment for humans. Unlike running or jumping, being in the water requires constant adaptation. Skipping even a few practices can make you feel out of sync, lose breath control, and fall behind teammates.

How to Fix It:

• Build a weekly routine that includes all practices and some optional extra work.

• Encourage personal accountability with checklists or training logs.

• Remind players that consistency is the key to mastery, especially in aquatic sports.

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Final Thoughts

Fixing these five core mistakes early on is one of the best investments a young athlete can make. The difference between a player who progresses and one who plateaus often lies in their attention to detail, commitment to practice, and willingness to learn the right way.

If you're between the ages of 10-14 and serious about improving in water polo, take these lessons to heart. And if you're a parent or coach, guide your players with patience and persistence. The journey in this sport is long, but the foundations laid in these early years make all the difference.

Stay tuned for more blogs, training videos, and full-length courses on Waterpolo University.