How to Track Your Progress in Water Polo (Game Analysis + Simple Stats That Actually Matter)

Most water polo players think they’re improving… but they don’t actually know. They train, they play games, they have good days and bad days—and it all blends together.

If you want real progress, you need a simple system that answers two questions:

1. What happened in the game (and why)?

2. What can I measure consistently so I improve every week?

Here’s the best way to do it, especially for youth players (10–15):
Game analysis is number one. Stats are second. Consistency is everything.

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Step 1: Game Analysis (Number One)

A scoreboard doesn’t tell you how you played. Even goals don’t tell the full story. Game analysis does.

What “game analysis” means (simple)

It means watching your game (or remembering it right after) and answering:

• What did I do well that I should repeat?

• What mistakes kept happening?

• What should I focus on in practice this week?

The fastest method: 15-minute review

After a game (same day if possible):

1. Watch only your possessions (offense + defense). Don’t watch the whole game like a fan.

2. Pause after each big moment and ask:

   • Was my body position correct?

   • Did I make the simple pass?

   • Did I move immediately after passing?

   • Did I communicate on defense?

3. Write down 3 wins + 1 focus (that’s it).

Example notes (perfect for youth players):

• Wins: “Good hips-up when pressured”, “Quick pass under pressure”, “Stayed calm on defense”

• Focus: “I stop moving after I pass—need re-drive every time.”

That one focus becomes your weekly mission.

What to look for (the “Progress Checklist”)

Use this checklist when you review:

Offense

• Do I keep my hips up when pressured?

• Do I make the simple pass fast (no extra fakes)?

• After I pass, do I move immediately (re-drive, pop, seal, or clear space)?

• Do I create something each possession (drive, screen, or space)?

Defense

• Do I stay between player and goal?

• Do I keep my hands disciplined (not reaching, not getting exclusions)?

• Do I talk (ball / help / drop / switch)?

• Do I recover quickly after a mistake?

Transition

• First 3 strokes: am I exploding or watching?

• Do I know exactly who I’m guarding on the counter?

This is how you build game IQ. And game IQ is what separates “training hard” from “getting better.”

Step 2: Track Your Own Stats (Keep It Very Basic)

Stats can help—but only if they’re simple, consistent, and connected to your role.

You don’t need 20 numbers. Pick 5–7 basic stats and track them every game the same way.

The best basic water polo stats to track (youth-friendly)

Choose from these:

Effort + Decision Stats (most important)

• Turnovers (bad passes, offensive fouls, rushed shots)

• Steals (or “forced turnovers” if you pressured them into a bad pass)

• Exclusions drawn (ejections you earn)

• Exclusions committed (ejections you cause—track this carefully)

• Sprint wins (or sprint effort score)

Offense Stats

• Shots taken

• Goals

• Shot quality score (1–3 rating: 1 = rushed/bad angle, 3 = great shot)

• Assists (only if you truly set up a goal)

Defense/Center Areas (if relevant)

• Stops on drives (times you stayed in front)

• Entry passes completed (centers + perimeter)

• Fronting wins / position wins (center/defender)

The rule: track what YOU control

Some stats depend on teammates or refs. Your progress should mostly be based on actions you control:

• positioning

• choices

• effort

• discipline

Step 3: Create a “Consistency System” (This Is Where Players Win)

You don’t improve from one amazing game. You improve from small improvements repeated.

Here’s a super simple system:

After every game (5 minutes)

Write:

• 3 things I did well

• 1 thing to improve

• 1 drill I will do this week because of it

Every week (10 minutes)

Pick one main focus:

• “Quicker passing under pressure”

• “Hips up on contact”

• “No reaching on defense”

• “Move after passing—every time”

Then track one weekly checkpoint:

• Did I do it in games?

• Did I train it 2–3 times?

• Is it improving on video?

Every month (20 minutes)

Compare your last 4 games:

• Are turnovers decreasing?

• Are you drawing more exclusions?

• Are your shot choices improving?

• Are you calmer under pressure?

That’s real progress.

Step 4: Use Simple Tools (No Fancy Tech Needed)

You can track progress with:

• Notes app on your phone

• A simple Google Sheet

• A small notebook

• Game film (even a parent recording from the stands)

If you want it easy, make one table with columns like:

• Date / Opponent / Minutes played

• Goals / Shots / Turnovers / Steals / Exclusions drawn / Exclusions committed

• 3 wins + 1 focus

That’s enough to become a different player in 8–12 weeks.

Step 5: Turn Tracking Into a Plan (Otherwise It’s Useless)

Tracking is not the goal. Improving is the goal.

So every time you find a weakness in film, connect it to a specific action:

• Weakness: “I lose balance when pressured”
  → Plan: hips-up drills + eggbeater stability + contact control

• Weakness: “I panic-pass into traffic”
  → Plan: 2-second passing rule + scanning before receiving

• Weakness: “I’m late on defense”
  → Plan: first 3 strokes transition + communication cue

If you want, you can plug your “1 focus” into structured water polo lessons and drills so your training matches what games actually demand.