How to Be a Coachable Player in Water Polo: 7 Habits Coaches Respect

Every coach in the world says they want coachable players.

They’ll choose a slightly less talented but highly coachable athlete over a super-talent who doesn’t listen, complains, and argues every time they get feedback. Being coachable is one of the biggest “hidden skills” that decides who gets more playing time, who gets trusted in big moments, and who gets opportunities at the next level.

The good news?
Coachability is not genetic. It’s a skill you can build.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• What it actually means to be coachable

• Why coaches value it so much

• Where the line is between “coachable” and “annoying”

• How to be coachable but still have your own opinion

• How to avoid looking “too soft” in front of teammates

• How to listen precisely to tactical instructions and use them in games

This is written with water polo players in mind (especially ages 10–15 and all beginners), but it applies to any athlete.

What Does It Really Mean to Be Coachable?

A lot of players think being coachable means:

• Nodding your head

• Saying “yes coach”

• Never speaking up

• Never disagreeing

That’s not coachability – that’s just being quiet.

Being coachable means:

You’re willing to learn, adjust, and apply feedback quickly, without taking it personally.

A coachable player:

• Listens with full attention

• Tries to understand why the coach is asking for something

• Applies feedback in the next rep, not “maybe one day”

• Can hear criticism without shutting down or getting defensive

• Still thinks for themselves and can ask smart questions

A non-coachable player:

• Argues with every correction

• Blames teammates, referees, or “bad luck”

• Pretends to listen but never changes anything

• Only wants praise, not honest feedback

The difference is not talent. It’s attitude.

Why Coaches Value Coachability So Much

Coaches know they only have a limited amount of time with you:

• A certain number of practices per week

• A few tournaments

• Maybe a season or two before you move on

They can’t waste that time dragging someone who doesn’t want to be coached.

When a coach sees you’re coachable, they think:

• “I can trust this player to follow the game plan.”

• “If I give them a role, they’ll actually try to execute it.”

• “If I correct them, they won’t get offended or moody.”

• “In a tight game, I know they’ll listen.”

That trust is everything.

Coaches value coachability because:

1. It makes the team more organized and predictable.

2. It saves time – they don’t have to repeat the same thing 10 times.

3. It gives them confidence to use you in key moments.

4. It shows them you are serious about improving.

If you want more playing time, more responsibility, and more opportunities (like moving up a team, getting noticed by bigger clubs, or later by college coaches), being coachable is a massive advantage.

Where Is the Line Between Coachable and Annoying?

There is a point where “trying to be coachable” can become a bit much and actually annoy the coach.

Here are some examples:

Coachable (good)

• You listen fully, nod, and then show the correction in your next repetition.

• After practice, you ask one or two clear, short questions if something is confusing.

• You write notes, think about them, and try to apply them next practice.

Annoying (too much)

• You ask five questions in a row during a drill and slow everyone down.

• You keep asking, “Was that good? Was that good? Was that good?” after every rep.

• You “perform” your coachability in front of the coach, constantly looking at them for approval, instead of just playing.

Coaches respect players who:

Listen → think → try → adjust.

They do not want players who constantly need emotional reassurance after every single play.

How to stay on the good side:

• Pick your moments. Ask questions in breaks, not in the middle of a counterattack drill.

• Ask specific questions: “On my last drive, was my angle correct?” is better than “How am I doing?”

• After getting an answer, don’t argue and don’t fish for compliments. Just say “Got it” and apply.

How to Be Coachable and Still Have Your Own Opinion

Being coachable does not mean turning your brain off.

Strong players think for themselves, notice the game, and sometimes see things the coach can’t see from the deck.

The key is how and when you express your opinion.

Good ways to bring your opinion

• During a break:
  “Coach, I noticed when we press high, the center is left alone. Should I drop earlier, or do you prefer we stay up and risk the entry pass?”

• After practice:
  “Today you asked me to move to the wing on 6-on-5. Can I ask why you see me better there than at the post? I want to understand the role.”

• In a 1-on-1 chat:
  “I feel I play more confidently on the right side than the left. Is there a chance to work on that more?”

You’re still showing coachability, because:

• You accept their plan

• You want to understand it better

• You’re not saying, “You’re wrong.” You’re saying, “Help me see what you see.”

Bad ways to bring your opinion

• In front of the team, arguing:
  “But that doesn’t make sense, coach.”
  “Why am I the one who has to drop? It’s not my job.”

• During the game, ignoring instructions:
  Coach tells you to run a play, and you just do your own thing because “you think it’s better.”

You can disagree in your head, but if you want to be coachable, you must still respect the decision, play the role, and then talk later in a calm way.

Coachable players know when to shut up and execute, and when to ask questions to learn more.

How to Be Coachable Without Looking “Soft” in Front of Teammates

Sometimes players (especially teenagers) are afraid of looking like the “teacher’s pet” or “coach’s favorite.”

They think:

• “If I listen too much, my teammates will think I’m soft.”

• “If I don’t act tough, I’ll lose respect.”

Here’s the truth:

Real toughness is not rolling your eyes at the coach.
Real toughness is doing what’s needed for the team, even if it’s uncomfortable.

You don’t look soft if:

• You make eye contact when the coach talks to you

• You answer “Yes, coach” and then do your job

• You accept correction without attitude

• You show consistent effort in every drill

You look soft when:

• You complain behind the coach’s back but don’t have the courage to ask questions directly

• You act “too cool” to listen, but then play scared in games

• You blame everyone else when things go wrong

If anything, coachable players usually gain more respect in the long term, because they:

• Improve faster

• Earn more playing time

• Get trusted in big moments

• Don’t create drama

If a teammate makes fun of you for listening or for being close with the coach, ask yourself:
Is this the teammate whose career I want to copy?

How to Listen Precisely to Tactical Instructions

A huge part of being coachable is understanding tactics and executing them exactly as asked.

Sometimes players think they’re listening, but they only catch 30–50% of the information.

Here’s how to listen like a pro.

1. Use your eyes, ears, and brain

When the coach is drawing on the board or explaining:

• Get close enough to see

• Stop talking to teammates

• Look at the board, look at the pool, look at the coach

• Repeat the main idea in your head: “I’m the 3 spot, my job is to… ”

2. Ask clarifying questions (at the right time)

If you’re not sure, ask:

• “Coach, on this play, am I starting at 2 or 4?”

• “If the defender switches, should I stay or slide?”

Short, clear, practical questions.

Not:

• “Wait, what?”

• “I don’t get it.” (without saying what exactly you don’t get)

3. Connect the instruction to the purpose

Don’t just memorize movements. Ask yourself:

“What is this tactic trying to create?”

• Is it to free a shooter?

• Is it to isolate a weaker defender?

• Is it to protect against a counterattack?

When you understand the purpose, you become smarter on the field and more valuable as a player.

4. Apply feedback immediately

If the coach stops the drill and corrects you:

• Don’t roll your eyes

• Don’t explain why you did it your way

• Just say “Okay” and show the correction on the next rep

That’s coachability in action.

Practical Habits to Become More Coachable

Here are some simple habits you can start today.

During practice

• Get into position early when coach calls the next drill.

• Look at the coach when they talk to you.

• Try to apply any correction in your very next repetition.

• If you mess up again, accept it and keep trying – no drama.

After practice

• Ask 1–2 short questions if something was unclear.

• Write down one thing you want to improve next practice.

• Think: “What did the coach repeat the most today?” – that’s what matters to them.

During games

• Listen carefully in timeouts.

• Focus on your specific assignment: who you guard, where you start, what your first movement is.

• Don’t talk over the coach in huddles.

• Show with your body language that you’re locked in: standing straight, making eye contact, not complaining or making excuses.

Coachability Checklist

Use this mini checklist to evaluate yourself:

Do you…

• Listen without interrupting when the coach talks to you?

• Try to apply corrections right away?

• Avoid arguing in front of the team?

• Ask questions in a respectful way, at the right time?

• Take responsibility instead of blaming others?

• Show consistent effort, even when you’re tired or things go wrong?

If you can say “yes” to most of these, you’re already on your way to being a very coachable player.

Final Reminder: Coachable ≠ Perfect

Being coachable doesn’t mean you never:

• Make mistakes

• Get frustrated

• Forget a tactic

• Have a bad day

It means:

• You don’t hide from feedback

• You don’t make excuses

• You’re open to change

• You keep trying to get better

Coaches don’t expect robots. They expect effort, honesty, and growth.

Take the Next Step in Your Development

If you’re reading this, you already care about improving – not just your shot or your speed, but your mindset as a water polo player.

At Waterpolo University, we build exactly that:

• Structured online water polo courses and classes for youth players (10–15) and all beginners

• Position-specific training: centers, guards, wings, goalkeepers, drivers

• Mental and tactical lessons to help you become a smarter, more coachable player

Start with a Free Personalized Plan

On the Waterpolo University homepage, you’ll see a button:

“Start Here – Get Your Personalized Plan”

It’s free for every player.

1. Fill out the short “Tell Us About Yourself” form.

2. I’ll review your age, position, goals, and current level.

3. You’ll get a personalized step-by-step plan with the exact courses and drills you should follow.

If you want to go all in and follow the full plan, you can join one of the memberships (Basic or Premium) or talk to your coach about a club license so your whole team can benefit from the same structure.

👉 Check everything out here: www.waterpolouniversity.com

Becoming a coachable player is one of the best decisions you can make for your water polo career. The sooner you start, the more doors it will open for you.