- Jan 6, 2026
Water Polo Passing for Beginners: 10 Mistakes Kids Make (And How to Fix Them)
- Marko Radanovic
- 0 comments
Passing is the “invisible skill” that decides who plays more and who sits.
A lot of youth players think success comes from a big shot or speed swimming. But coaches trust the athlete who can:
catch cleanly,
pass on time,
move the ball under pressure,
and keep the offense flowing.
That’s why passing is one of the best places to focus your water polo training—especially for beginners ages 10–15.
In this blog, you’ll learn the 10 most common passing mistakes kids make and the exact fixes (with simple drills you can do at practice, before practice, or even in a small space at home).
If you want a full step-by-step system for youth fundamentals (including passing), join Waterpolo University here:
👉 Individual/Family Membership: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/8d727d04-d59f-44f4-919b-2f6e88f08cbf
👉 Club/Team License: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/dcefd6da-89bc-4bb1-b026-2f297d4e4ad3
Before we start: what a “good pass” actually is
A good pass is not just “accurate.”
A good pass is:
On time (early enough for your teammate to attack)
On target (to the hand they can catch)
With the right speed (fast enough to beat the defense, not so hard they can’t catch)
With the right height (easy to catch, not floating)
With the right decision (best option, not just the most obvious one)
Beginners usually struggle because they focus on only one of these (accuracy) and ignore the rest.
Now let’s fix the 10 biggest mistakes.
Mistake #1: Passing without legs (sinking while throwing)
What it looks like
The player’s hips drop, the shoulders sink, and the pass becomes slow, loopy, or inaccurate.
Why it happens
In water polo, your legs are your foundation. If your legs aren’t supporting you, your arm tries to “save” the pass.
The fix
Pass from a high body position.
Teach your body one rule: “Hips up before the ball leaves my hand.”
Coaching cues (kids understand these fast)
“Show your belly button to the sky.”
“Chin up, chest up.”
“Sit on a high chair.”
Drill
3-Second Hold Passing
Before every pass, the player must hold a stable, high position for 3 seconds. Then pass.
This forces legs to engage and slows down the chaos.
Mistake #2: Catching the ball with a “dead hand”
What it looks like
The ball hits the palm, the hand collapses, water splashes, and the ball bounces away.
Why it happens
Kids try to “grab” the ball flat instead of creating a strong catching shape.
The fix
Make a catching frame: fingers spread, wrist strong, elbow relaxed, ball “softly absorbed.”
Coaching cues
“Make your hand like a spider.”
“Soft hands, strong wrist.”
“Catch it quiet—no splash.”
Drill
Quiet Catch Challenge
Partners pass from 3–5 meters. Goal: catch with zero splash and immediately show control for 1 second before returning the pass.
Mistake #3: Dropping the ball into the water before passing
What it looks like
Catch → ball drops → player picks it up again → defense recovers → pass gets late.
Why it happens
Beginners don’t have comfort controlling the ball high, or they’re rushing and panicking.
The fix
Catch high and keep it high.
In most situations, the ball should stay above the water from catch to release.
Coaching cues
“No fishing.”
“Ball stays dry.”
“Catch, show, move.”
Drill
No-Water Passing
Any time the ball touches the water between catch and throw, it’s a point for the other team (make it competitive and fun).
Mistake #4: Taking too long (“loading up”) before passing
What it looks like
The player catches, thinks forever, fakes too much, and passes late.
Why it happens
They don’t scan early, or they don’t trust their decision.
The fix
Scan before the ball arrives.
Good passers decide early. They already know their first and second option before they receive.
Coaching cues
“Head on a swivel.”
“Know before you catch.”
“Catch = quick decision.”
Drill
1-Second Rule Passing
After receiving the ball, the player must pass within 1 second (or 2 seconds for younger beginners).
This trains speed of play.
Mistake #5: Passing to the teammate’s body instead of the “target hand”
What it looks like
Pass goes to the chest, face, or behind the shoulder. Teammate struggles to catch or can’t shoot right away.
Why it happens
Beginners aim “at the person,” not at the best catching point.
The fix
Aim for the teammate’s outside hand (the hand away from pressure) and lead them slightly in the direction they want to go.
Coaching cues
“Hit the hand, not the head.”
“Outside hand = safe hand.”
“Lead them into space.”
Drill
Hand-Target Passing
Receiver shows a clear target hand (high and still). Passer must hit the hand 8/10 times before moving back.
Mistake #6: Big wind-up (telegraphing the pass)
What it looks like
The passer pulls the arm way back, shows the defender exactly where they’re passing, and the ball gets stolen.
Why it happens
Kids copy “shooting mechanics” for passing. But passing under pressure needs a quicker, more compact release.
The fix
Use a shorter, faster release and learn to pass from multiple arm angles (especially for youth development).
Coaching cues
“Quick wrist.”
“Short and sharp.”
“Show less, pass faster.”
Drill
Compact Passing Series
10 quick wrist passes
10 normal passes
10 “no-windup” passes under light pressure
Keep the same accuracy while reducing the wind-up.
Mistake #7: Throwing too hard (or too soft)
What it looks like
Some kids fire rockets their teammates can’t handle… or float passes that defenders steal.
Why it happens
They don’t understand “passing speed” as a skill. They think harder = better.
The fix
Match speed to distance and situation:
Short pass = controlled, catchable
Medium pass = firm
Long pass = strong, but still catchable
Under pressure = faster release, not always more power
Coaching cues
“Fast enough to beat defense.”
“Soft enough to be caught.”
“Speed with control.”
Drill
Three-Speed Passing
From the same distance, practice:
soft pass
medium pass
firm pass
Then repeat at a different distance. Teach control—not ego.
Mistake #8: Not moving after passing (ball-watching)
What it looks like
Pass → player stops → watches → becomes useless.
Why it happens
They don’t understand that passing is part of a bigger job: creating the next advantage.
The fix
Pass and move (even one or two strokes) to:
create a new angle
become a return option
pull a defender
open space for a teammate
Coaching cues
“Pass = go.”
“Help the next play.”
“Don’t freeze.”
Drill
Pass + 2 Strokes
Every time you pass, you must take 2 strong strokes to a new space before you can receive again.
Mistake #9: Panic passing under pressure (no fakes, no protection)
What it looks like
A defender closes → passer rushes → ball gets tipped or stolen.
Why it happens
Beginners don’t have a pressure plan. They rely on hope.
The fix
Teach a simple 3-step pressure plan:
Protect (body between defender and ball)
Fake (small, believable fake)
Pass (quick decision)
Also: learn to keep the ball on the outside of your body away from the defender.
Coaching cues
“Ball away from pressure.”
“Protect, fake, pass.”
“Don’t show the ball.”
Drill
Shadow Pressure Passing
Defender shadows with one arm up (no steals at first). Passer must protect and complete 10 clean passes. Then allow light tips.
Mistake #10: Passing without purpose (wrong decision)
What it looks like
The player passes because they’re nervous, or passes to the loudest teammate, or passes into traffic.
Why it happens
They don’t understand the “why” behind passing—moving the defense, finding advantage, helping the attack.
The fix
Teach beginners 3 simple “good reasons to pass”:
To create a better angle
To beat pressure
To move the defense and find space
And teach a simple rule:
“If your pass doesn’t improve the situation, don’t make it.”
Coaching cues
“Pass with a reason.”
“Move defense, then attack.”
“Better angle, better outcome.”
Drill
Advantage Passing
Play a small game (3v3 or 4v4). A pass only counts if it creates a clear advantage (open lane, new angle, or defender shift). Coaches can pause and ask: “Why did you pass?”
A simple weekly passing plan for beginners (10–15 years old)
If you want a realistic plan that works alongside regular team practice, do this:
3x per week (10–15 minutes)
Band/shoulder activation (2–3 min)
Catch + quick release passing (5 min)
Pressure passing / compact passing (5–7 min)
Optional: record 30 seconds of passing and review one correction
At team practice
Pick ONE focus per practice:
Monday: catch clean + keep ball dry
Wednesday: scan early + quick decision
Friday: protect + pressure passing
This is how you improve without feeling overwhelmed.
The biggest truth about passing improvement
Passing isn’t “just passing.”
It’s:
legs,
timing,
decision-making,
communication,
and confidence.
Fix these 10 mistakes and you’ll immediately become the player coaches trust—because the ball moves better when you’re involved.
Want the full passing system (and the full fundamentals roadmap)?
Join Waterpolo University here:
👉 Individual/Family Membership: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/8d727d04-d59f-44f4-919b-2f6e88f08cbf
Coaches and clubs: get your full program access here:
👉 Club/Team License: https://www.waterpolouniversity.com/dcefd6da-89bc-4bb1-b026-2f297d4e4ad3