Fakes vs Slides in Water Polo: The Smart Way to Develop as a Young Player

Water polo is a sport built on details. The difference between scoring and missing, winning and losing, often comes down to the fundamentals. One of the biggest areas where players and coaches make mistakes is in front of the goal — choosing whether to fake or to slide.

Too many young players fall in love with fakes. They see older players and professionals moving the ball around, tricking goalies, and scoring dramatic goals. They try to copy it, but they don’t yet have the timing, body control, or foundation to pull it off. What happens? By the age of 14, they’ve built weak habits. By 15, improvement becomes much harder, and many end up quitting.

That’s why at Waterpolo University, we emphasize something different: slides first, fakes later. If you’re between the ages of 10 and 14, sliding is your key to success. If you master it, you’ll set yourself up for long-term growth and open the door to effective fakes when the time is right.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• The difference between a fake and a slide

• Why slides are more important for young players

• The dangers of using fakes too early

• Step-by-step tips to master the slide

• When fakes actually become powerful

• How to train both skills the right way

By the end, you’ll know exactly where to put your focus and how to avoid the mistakes that hold most players back.

Understanding the Basics: What Are Fakes and Slides?

What is a Fake?

A fake is a movement with the ball that makes the goalie believe you are about to shoot — but instead of releasing the shot, you hold it or change direction.

The goal of a fake is to trick the goalie into reacting early, opening up space for a real shot.

What is a Slide?

A slide is a forward movement that allows you to get closer to the cage while staying in a strong shooting position. It usually involves:

• Starting in the tripod position (legs balanced, ball in front).

• Using a powerful breaststroke kick to move forward.

• Keeping the ball under control with one hand.

• Maintaining high hips and body balance.

The goal of a slide is to reduce the distance between you and the goalie, making your shot more dangerous.

Why Most Young Players Rely on Fakes (and Why That’s a Problem)

It’s easy to see why kids love fakes. They look exciting. They feel creative. When you watch a professional player fake the goalie and score, it seems like the ultimate move.

But here’s the reality for players 10–14:

• Their legs aren’t strong enough to maintain position while faking.

• Their timing isn’t sharp enough to trick experienced goalies.

• They often lose shooting rhythm because fakes take them out of position.

Instead of helping, fakes at this age usually create bad habits:

• Dropping the ball too low.

• Leaning back and losing balance.

• Taking too long to shoot.

By the time they reach 14 or 15, these habits are ingrained. Fixing them takes years, and many players simply give up.

Why Slides Are the Smarter Choice for Ages 10–14

1. Slides Build Core Fundamentals

When you slide, you’re practicing balance, control, and body positioning — the foundation of everything in water polo.

2. Slides Get You Closer to the Goal

It’s simple math: the closer you are, the higher your chance of scoring. Instead of trying to outsmart the goalie, you’re reducing their margin for error.

3. Slides Keep You in Rhythm

Unlike fakes, slides don’t break your shooting motion. You can slide forward and shoot in the same rhythm, making your attack more natural.

4. Slides Prevent Bad Habits

If you learn slides first, you won’t waste years reinforcing sloppy fakes. When the time comes to add fakes, you’ll already have the foundation to do them correctly.

How to Master the Slide

Step 1: Start in the Tripod

Position your body as if ready to shoot — strong legs, hips high, ball in front, balanced posture.

Step 2: Use a Powerful Breaststroke Kick

Your legs are your engine. A strong kick moves you forward while keeping your body stable.

Step 3: Control the Ball

Keep the ball in front with one hand. Don’t let it sink or drift to the side.

Step 4: Adjust Distance with Kick Strength

Need to cover more ground? Kick harder. Want a short adjustment? Use a smaller kick.

Step 5: Stay Ready to Shoot

The slide is not separate from the shot — it’s part of it. At the end of your slide, you should be in perfect position to release the ball.

Common Mistakes in Sliding

Even though slides are simpler than fakes, young players often make mistakes. Watch out for:

• Dropping hips: This weakens your shot and slows your movement.

• Losing ball control: Letting the ball drift away breaks rhythm.

• Over-sliding: Moving too far and losing balance.

• Hesitation: Waiting too long before shooting.

Correcting these early is key to building strong habits.

When Fakes Become Valuable

So when should you start focusing on fakes? The answer: after 14–15, once the fundamentals are mastered.

At this stage, players have:

• Stronger legs to hold balance.

• Better timing to read goalies.

• Solid mechanics to return to shooting quickly.

With this foundation, fakes become powerful tools:

• Forcing goalies to commit early.

• Opening shooting lanes.

• Adding unpredictability to your attack.

The difference is that now, fakes add to your game instead of replacing the basics.

Training Both Skills the Right Way

Drills for Slides

1. Slide and Shoot: Start at 5 meters, slide once, and shoot immediately.

2. Progressive Slides: Slide multiple times toward the goal, then shoot.

3. Pressure Slides: Have a defender press lightly while you slide and shoot.

Drills for Fakes (for older players)

1. One Fake, One Shot: Fake once, then release the ball immediately.

2. Double Fake: Fake twice, then shoot in rhythm.

3. Goalie Reaction Drill: Practice faking against a live goalie to read their movements.

Why This Matters for Long-Term Development

Think of water polo development as building a house. Slides are the foundation. Fakes are the decorations. If you build the decorations before the foundation, the house collapses.

By focusing on slides from ages 10–14, you set yourself up for success. By the time you’re ready for fakes, you’ll already have the strength, timing, and control to use them effectively.

This is the difference between players who quit at 15 and players who keep improving year after year.

The Waterpolo University Approach

At Waterpolo University, we designed a full course on Fakes vs Slides to solve this exact problem. Inside, we cover:

• Step-by-step breakdowns of both skills.

• Age-appropriate progressions for learning.

• Drills to build consistency.

• Common mistakes and how to fix them.

Our goal is to make sure no player is left behind simply because they learned the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Conclusion: The Right Skill at the Right Time

Water polo is a game of details, and choosing when to use fakes vs slides is one of the most important details of all.

For young players (10–14), slides are the key. They build fundamentals, get you closer to the cage, and prepare you for the future. Fakes are valuable — but only once the foundation is set.

If you want to succeed long-term in water polo, remember:

• Slide first. Fake later.

• Build the habits that last.

• Trust the process — your time will come.

That’s why Waterpolo University exists: to guide you step by step, and to give you every chance to reach your full potential.

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