Water Polo is fun!

Sutton and Cheam is recognised as one of the leading clubs in British water polo. The club competes in London, Surrey, Winter and National Water Polo Leagues; running teams from under 12 to Masters producing many International, Regional and County players at all age groups.
Since re-launching our junior water polo programme in 2000, over 80 juniors; both boys and girls have gone through the programme; all of whom have tasted competition and over 70% are still playing. 39 players have represented Surrey County; 36 have represented the Region or been selected for the Regional Training Centre; 14 have reached the National Academy and 6 have gone on to represent Great Britain.
New players or potential players of any age both girls and boys are always welcome. If you have played before; or you are a strong swimmer and would like to have a go at this fast, exciting, fun sport, please contact Dave Andrews (our Chief Coach).

Teaching Plan for Water Polo

The outlan plan is loosely based on particular age groups to bring it in line with the ASA's Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) framework for water polo. In general, the plan is fluid and players will normally advance through the scheme by ability.

Logistically, due to the numbers of players in each age group, girls and boys of all age groups will normally train together. This has the advantage of allowing the younger players to be mentored by the older. This enhances the skill acquisition of the younger players.

It should also be noted that girls and boys are able to compete together in mixed teams until aged 15.

"Mini-Polo" FUNdamentals Age 8-11

The club normally introduces water polo to swimmers of about 8 or 9 years of age in the form of "mini-polo"; the only criteria being the ability to swim confidently.

Mini-polo is a smaller, more basic game than Water Polo itself and has been introduced to teach young players of any age up to about eleven years old the basics of the full game.

It is also a great multi-skill activity which teaches the fundamentals of aquatics and sport as a whole, in line with Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD).

The best thing about mini-polo is its wide adaptability! You can take any size of pool, whether deep or shallow, any number of young boys and girls, of different ages; ability and size and modify the game to suit requirements. It's as simple as that...there really aren't any rules to use if you don't want.

NO RULES??

In fact, the fewer the rules imposed on the players, the easier it is for them to learn and, more importantly, the more fun it is! Although official equipment is available, it's not necessary - to get started, all we need is a ball and a pool! At the early stages of the teaching plan, concentration is on the players rather than on team progress and emphasis is therefore more on participation, having fun in the water and playing simple games. However, we also focus on the equipment, the basic techniques and the essential ball skills with 'fun' drills to maintain the interest of the players.

During this stage, players are progressively moved on to more advanced skills as they: Are able to swim more confidently Are at home in the deep end of the pool Can perform egg beater leg kick and Have some basic ball handling

Balls	Costumes
Caps	Goals
Pitch size	Pitch markings
Use of log books

Basic skills without the ball

Basic skills with the ball

Introduction to competition

Basic game tactics

Competition

Age 12-13

Skill Development

Concentration continues on the above skills development as these are basic to the game plus:

More advanced tactical skills and positional play

Goalkeeping

Competition

Age 14-15

This stage concentrates not only on player development but also on team development; what it means to work as part of a team and being a team member

Lots more of the above - can't have enough of it - plus development of more advanced skills:

Competition

Age 16-17