Water Polo s Guide to its Entry-Level Programs

Water Polo s Guide to its Entry-Level Programs

Water Polo Water Polo is an international game and a part of the Olympics. But even the best players need to start somewhere. Water Polo s entry level programs are designed so that children of all abilities and ages can participate in the great sport of Water Polo. The age principles provided are just guidelines and some children may be ready to move along the development pathway more quickly than others. If you are unsure which program your child should participate in have a chat to your friendly club or program provider. GET INVOLVED! Parents are encouraged to participate and help out with the programs, particularly for Learn to Flippa. There may be an opportunity to jump in the pool and learn the basics of Water Polo with your child. Contact your club or provider to ask if which opportunities are available to you.

Water Polo Queensland Youth Pathway Learn to Flippa 5-8 yr old Entry level program Age appropriate swimming skills required (they should be learning to swim/can swim some) 45 minutes of fun skills and ball drills towards end of 8 weeks some modified water polo (standing up in water) Feeds into Flippa Balll Flippa Ball 8-11yr olds 2nd tier of entry level program Basic ball skills / improved swimming skills required Skills and drill (half lesson) with modified games Feeds into U12s Transition to Water Polo Water Polo 12+ Water Polo rules as at clubs Continue along development pathway.

Learn to Flippa Learn to Flippa is the first tier of Water Polo s entry level programs for children. It has been designed around the ability of 5-8 year olds. Learn to Flippa introduces young children to the game of Water Polo through fun skills and activities in a safe environment. The program provides a social and exciting setting for boys and girls to learn a variety of skills including; Game and Water Polo Skills Throwing, catching, swimming, Fundamental Motor Skills Object control skills, Locomotor, Non-Locomotor, and Manipulative Motor Skills Social Skills Team work, communication, confidence, sportsmanship, decision making, resilience and fair play

Learn to Flippa is water polo program that can run anywhere between 6-12 weeks depending on the provider. A single session will run for approximately 45 minutes and no more than 1 hour. The program will take place in a shallow pool (similar to a Learn to swim pool) where all the participants can touch the bottom of the pool. A session of Learn to Flippa will include: Warm up activities Appropriate drills and skills activities (in a sequential format for maximum learning ability Appropriately modified games of Water Polo* (*dependent on abilities and experience, most likely towards the back end of the program) Coaches and Learn to Flipper facilitators will have access to a program guide that includes lesson options, skills/drills and Learn to Flippa game rules. Ideally participants of Learn to Flippa should be beginning to learn to swim or already have some

swimming skills. It is imperative that they can touch the bottom of the pool to be able to participate in the program. Additionally, if the children feel more comfortable with an unobtrusive floatation device then that is to be recommended until they gain their confidence. Many of the facilities may provide flotation devices so ring in advance to see if you need to bring one (if required). Although Water Polo is traditionally a summer sport some providers may offer the program year round where indoor, heated pools are available. Check with your club or contact Water Polo Queensland to see if there s one near you!

Flippa Ball Flippa Ball is the second tier of Water Polo s entry level programs for children. Flippa Ball bridges the gap for young water polo participants between Learn to Flippa and junior club/school Water Polo. It has been designed to cater for children age 8-11 years. Flippa Ball is a non contact Water Polo program which involves learning and developing game sense and skills, as well as modified games of Water Polo. This program allows children to expand upon the Water Polo knowledge and skills that they learnt in Learn to Flippa or can still be an introduction to Water Polo for slightly older children that have some basic ball skills.

The Flippa Ball program has been developed to ensure that children have got the skills to progress on to club Water Polo. Similarly to Learn to Flippa, they will learn an array of Water Polo skills, game sense and how to work cohesively with a team. The Flippa Ball program expands on Learn to Flippa, teaching a multiplicity of skills including; Game and Water Polo Skills Throwing, catching, swimming with the ball, eggbeater/treading water, shooting, blocking and game play amongst other things Fundamental Motor Skills Object control skills, Locomotor, Non-Locomotor, Body Management Skills and Manipulative Motor Skills Social Skills Team work, communication, confidence, sportsmanship, leadership and fair play

Like Learn to Flippa, a Flippa Ball program can run anywhere between 6-12 weeks depending on the provider. A single session should run for approximately 1 hour. The program will take place in a shallow pool where all the participants can touch the bottom of the pool. However over the period of the program (depending on available facilities) the group may be able to consider moving into the shallow end of a lap pool (depending on the progression, skills and confidence of the players). A session of Flippa Ball will include: Warm up activities Appropriate drills and skills activities (in a sequential format for maximum learning ability) Appropriately modified games of Water Polo (see Flippa Ball game rules ) May be turned into an internal club competition for advanced participants if numbers allow

Ideally, Flippa Ball participants will have already partaken in Learn to Flippa so they will have some basic water polo skills. However, if the children are of a Flippa Ball age they will need to have some swimming ability and some basic ball skills. If they do not have these skills it is recommended they participate in Learn to Flippa first (even if they are a year or two older than the recommended age). Although Water Polo is traditionally a summer sport some providers may offer the program year round where indoor, heated pools are available. Check with your club or contact Water Polo Queensland to see if there s one near you! It is important that parents remember at this age it is all about the kids having FUN!!