Waterpolo University/1.5a Release & Drive: Beating High-Press Defense

  • Free

1.5a Release & Drive: Beating High-Press Defense

  • Closed
  • Course
  • 8 Lessons

In this course you’ll learn the two main ways to beat a high-press defender: release for the ball or drive to the goal. When someone is pressing you hard, standing still is never an option. You either move away to create space for a clean pass, or you explode into a drive and beat them to the inside. - This course is included in all memberships, which is why it shows as “Closed” for individual (one-time) purchases.

Contents

Ball Release

In this lesson you’ll learn how to release for the ball when a defender is pressing you tight. We start with two explosive strokes forward to make the defender chase you. As they follow, you rotate your body back toward the ball, create separation, and show your hand as a clear passing target.

The focus is on explosive first steps, timing, and body rotation so you can receive the ball safely without getting tangled up or pushed under.

Full Speed Motion
How to Release for the Ball
Preview
Be More Explosive

How to Drive (vs High Press)

In this lesson you’ll learn how to turn a high-press into a drive to the goal. You begin with two explosive strokes outside to pull the defender away. As they step across in front of you, you immediately change direction, place your hand on their lower back to feel their position, press with your legs, and drive past them toward the goal.

We focus on reading the defender’s movement, using your legs to create power, and staying balanced so you don’t get stopped or turned. After this lesson, you’ll know how to punish any defender who overplays the press by beating them on the drive.

Full Speed Motion
How to do a Drive?
Drive Movement Without Defender
How to Defend a Drive?
Preview
Defense Exercise
Preview