Why Being on the A, B, or C Team Doesn’t Matter in Youth Water Polo

Drop by drop—even stone gets hollowed out.

This old saying reminds us that progress is made not through flash or shortcuts, but through consistent, steady effort. And nowhere is this more true than in youth sports, especially in water polo. In this blog post, we’re diving into one of the most common—and misunderstood—topics in the sport: whether it really matters if your child is on the A team, B team, or even C team at ages 10U, 12U, or 14U.

Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

What matters most at these early stages of development is experience, playing time, confidence, and consistent progress—not a letter on a jersey.

The False Hierarchy of A, B, and C Teams

In many clubs, teams are split by skill into tiers. The "A team" often includes the most physically developed or currently skilled players, and is usually the group sent to compete at the highest level. The "B" or "C" teams might train alongside or separately, but are perceived by parents and even young athletes as "less than."

This can create unnecessary stress and confusion for families. But here’s the truth: team placement at a young age is not a prediction of long-term success.

Many future elite athletes didn’t make the "top" teams early in their development. What separated them later was time in the water, game experience, and internal motivation—not early team labels.

The Importance of Game Minutes

Let’s focus on what really matters: playing time.

At the 10U, 12U, and 14U levels, actual game experience is the most valuable currency. Being in the water during real competition teaches young players:

• How to react under pressure

• How to read game situations

• How to communicate with teammates

• How to build instincts that no drill or scrimmage can fully teach

Compare that to a player sitting on the bench for most of the tournament just because they are on a higher-ranked A team. While they might feel proud to wear that team label, they’re missing out on valuable reps—and it’s those reps that build real skill.

If you had to choose between:

1. Playing 3 minutes per game on an A team

2. Playing 15+ minutes per game on a B team

There’s no question which option leads to better growth.

The Mental Game: Confidence and Motivation

Young athletes thrive when they feel confident, capable, and motivated. Getting minutes, making mistakes, and learning from them builds all of those traits. Sitting and watching others play can lead to:

• Doubt

• Frustration

• Burnout

• Feeling left behind

When a kid plays a lot, they get chances to contribute, fail, grow, and learn. That’s the mindset we want them to develop—not one of status, but of process.

It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Water polo is a sport of longevity. Physical strength, tactical awareness, and emotional maturity peak much later in life. What a player looks like at age 12 or 13 says little about what they’ll be at 18 or 20.

This is where the saying comes in again: "Drop by drop—even stone gets hollowed out."

• One game today.

• One smart pass tomorrow.

• One recovery from a mistake next week.

These small, consistent moments shape champions.

If a player gets more playing time and stays consistent in their effort, the improvement curve will keep rising. The B team player who plays every game, learns, and trains with focus often passes the A team star by the time college recruiting rolls around.

Skill Development Over Status

Too often, parents and young players chase team labels instead of asking: Where will I develop the most?

On a B or C team, players might:

• Have more freedom to try new positions

• Lead others and grow leadership skills

• Learn to handle mistakes without fear

And most importantly—they’ll get to play.

By age 16 or 18, nobody will care which team they played on at 12. What will matter is:

• How well they understand the game

• How fit and skilled they are

• Whether they have the mindset to work and grow

Parents, This One’s for You

We know it’s tough not to compare. We know you want what’s best for your child. But don’t let early team labels cloud your judgment.

Your support in the following ways makes all the difference:

• Celebrate growth, not placement

• Encourage minutes, not medals

• Remind your child that success in water polo (and life) is a long-term journey

Trust the process. Coaches who prioritize development will always make room for late bloomers. And those late bloomers often turn out to be the most mentally and physically prepared athletes when it matters most.

Real Stories, Real Progress

If you talk to coaches at the college level or high-level clubs, many will tell you stories about players who were on B teams at 12 or 13, but made national teams or earned scholarships at 18.

Why? Because they played. Because they stayed motivated. Because they were consistent.

Final Thoughts: Play First, Everything Else Later

Water polo is a beautiful sport that rewards grit, intelligence, and resilience. These qualities are built in games, through trial and error, and through consistent effort over time.

So if you're a parent or athlete making a team decision, remember this:

It’s better to be in the water and learning on a B or C team than watching from the bench on an A team.

Every minute you play builds your future.

Drop by drop—even stone gets hollowed out.

Stay focused, stay consistent, and trust the long game.