Redwood Empire Water Polo
Santa Rosa, CA Sonoma County

Six-on-Five General Game Plan

1. Be smart, patient, and capitalize on our advantage.
2. Beat goalkeeper with the pass then the arm.
3. Communicate to teammates we have an extra man.
4. Always look and work for the quick shot -- move to a new passing shooting lane to free your arms. It is easier to score 1 on 0 than 6 on 5.
5. Spread offense 1 and 6, take an extra stroke away from the goal;
6. 4 and 5 men get away from each other, stay outside the post;2 and 3 post break the line, stay on the post.
7. Careful with first pass. To score the quick you need a great first pass.
8. Read the defense and communicate. Call out all reads, changes and baits.
9. Go to your legs. Be ready for the pass and shoot.
10. Penetrate and get a commit from defense and goalkeeper.
11. Authentic fakes -- always look like a shooter, quick passes after the big fake.
12. Work to move the X2 defender across the goal and out of position. This man will tell you where the free man is.
13. If you are going to get knocked down, do not try to force a pass, simply turn and draw a foul. Protect the ball at all costs.
14. When red and/or coming even, we should have a cross court. Counter rotate to defense.
    
    

Standard 6-Man Defense Responsibilities

X1

1. Near Side - quick shot off pass from I spot. Put up strong side arm as ball arrives.
2. Weak Side - shot off fake from 1 spot. Maintain outside arm.
3. 6 to 2 pass when 2 is on or inside the 2 yard line.
4. NOTE: Do not allow the 2 man to sucker you towards center cage or towards 4. Communicate to X2 during sucker.
5. X3 defender's hips should be perpendicular to the shooting lane of the 1 and 6 men. When the ball is passed to the I or 6, defenders will have shooting lanes shut down.

X2

1. Diagonal pass from 5 to 2 or 4 to 3.
2. Strong side triangle pass to the post from I or 6.
3. Weak side shot from 1, 4, 5, and 6 - put up inside arm only if you can get there in time.
4. Communication is key. X2 must talk.

X3

1. Near Side - quick shot off pass from 6 spot. Put up strong side arm as ball arrives.
2. Weak Side - shot off fake from 6 spot. Match hands off the fake. NOTE: Match hands before you drop near side arm.
3. 1 to 3 pass when 3 is on or inside the 2 yard line. NOTE: Do not allow the 3 man to sucker you towards center cage or towards the 5 spot.
4. When a right hander is at 6, defender must take the quick away, the side arm shot. X3 must put arm out at an angle, not straight up, to take away side arm giving goalie time to get across.

X4

1. Use outside arm with the 4 man when he has the ball. Funnel back to center cage.
2. Deny the 2 pop and 2 out.
3. Fill the gap between 4 and 1 when 1 rotates into the pocket.
4. Fill the gap between 5 and 4 when 6 rotates into the pocket or if they run 3 out.

X5

1. Match hands with the 5 man when he has the ball.
2. Deny the 3 pop (particularly from 6) and 3 out.
3. Fill the gap between 5 and 6 when 6 rotates into the pocket.
4. Fill the gap between 4 and 5 when I rotates into the pocket or if they run 2 out. NOTE: First 5 seconds get back and work the back line. Do not float or drift to a defensive position. Bait cheat get a hand up, deny the quick and get a piece of the first pass.