ODP 2009 USAWP Assembly 1

TISCA WATER POLO���PARENT/ATHLETE EDUCATION���

���MARCH 2019

Parent/Athlete EducationPart 1:

• History of Water Polo • Terminology • Basic Team Tactics

Part 2: Basic Rules of Water Polo

Part 3: Parent Behavior & Responsibilities

Part 4: Q&A Session

History of Water Polo•  Began in mid 1800’s in England. •  Introduced to USA in 1888 – “Rugby Style” •  Very Popular Sport in early 1900’s

•  Violent like Wrestling •  14,000 Spectators in MSG, New York

•  First Team Sport in Olympic History •  1904 St Louis Olympics - USA Won Gold!! •  1914 USA adopted “Soccer Style” •  Evolved throughout the Years •  1956 Olympics: Hungary v. USSR •  Hungary Most Decorated Country •  1984 & 1988 USA Men Olympic Silver Medals

Recent History•  2000 Olympics – Women’s Division •  2008 Olympics – Dual Silver Medals Men & Women •  2012 & 2016 Olympics – Women’s Gold Medal •  Early 1970’s became NCAA Sport – Men •  Early 2000’s became NCAA Sport – Women •  70+Women’s NCAA Teams (Austin College) •  50+ Men’s NCAA Teams (Austin College) •  200+ Collegiate Club Teams •  2009 -- 40 Texas High School teams •  2019 – 150+ schools in Texas •  Moving Forward…UIL Sanction!!!

Terminology & TacticsHandouts:

•  Glossary of Water Polo Terms •  Terminology & Numbering System •  Basic Offense and Basic Defense

Basic Rules of Water PoloSpectator’s Guide Handout:

•  Field of Play •  Overall course •  2M Line/5M Line

•  Players •  Minor Fouls/Major Foul/Penalty Fouls •  Misconduct, Flagrant Misconduct •  Red Cards, Yellow Cards •  Time-outs •  The “Advantage Rule”

The Advantage Rule•  The referees shall refrain from declaring a foul if, in their

opinion, such declaration would be an advantage to the offending player’s team. The referees shall not declare an ordinary foul when there is still a possibility to play the ball.

•  The referees shall apply this principle to the fullest extent. They should not, for example, declare an ordinary foul in favor of a player who is in possession of the ball and making progress towards the opponent’s goal, because this is considered to given an advantage to the offender’s team.

What is a Foul?Three Categories of Fouls •  Minor Fouls - Fouls of Possession •  Major Fouls of Play -

–  Fouls of Position and Probable Goal –  Includes Penalty Shots

•  Major Fouls of Physicality/Conduct –  Fouls outside of normal play –  Includes Minor Act of Misconduct (MAM), Misconduct,

Brutality •  All fouls should be viewed in the context of the Advantage Rule

Common Minor Fouls•  To Impede

Ø  It is possession of the ball that is impeded Ø  Defense illegally takes away ball Ø  Referee restores possession and pass

•  To Push or Push Off Ø  Attacker illegally moves defender out of way to make play Ø  Referee gives ball to rightful team - the defense

•  To Take the Ball Under Water Ø  Can only be whistled against the attack

Ø  Player must possess the ball to take it under water

Common Major Fouls•  To Hold, Sink or Pullback an opponent that is not holding the ball

Ø  Defender has illegally taken away attacker's superior position Ø  Referee restores position and/or superior numbers of attack Ø  These fouls are part of normal play and happen all the time at the

ball and away from the ball.

•  To Kick or Strike an Opponent... Ø  It does not matter if a player is still holding the ball

•  Penalty: Ø  ANY foul committed within the 5M area in front of the goal that

prevents a probable goal Ø  Yes a penalty can be called when a player is holding ball

Officiating is NOT Easy•  Not part of “Field of Play” •  Water can hide majority of action •  Only whistle what you see

Ø Can not assume action of players •  Passion of the Participants

Ø Coaches, Athletes, Parents Ø Referee is passionate as well

•  Black, White and lots of GREY •  Aggressive Play v. Dirty Play

Honoring the Game: Parents•  Make a commitment to Honor the Game in action and language no

matter what others may do. •  Don't give instructions. Let the coach correct player mistakes. •  Cheer good plays by both teams!!! •  Mention good calls by the official to other parents. •  If an official makes a "bad" call against your team? Honor the Game—

BE SILENT! •  If another parent on your team yells at an official? Remind him or her to

Honor the Game. •  Don't do anything in the heat of the moment that you will regret after the

game. Ask yourself, "Will this embarrass my child or the team?" •  Remember to have fun! Enjoy the game. •  Thank the officials for doing a difficult job for little or no pay. •  Thank the coaches for their commitment and effort.