Redwood Empire Water Polo
Santa Rosa, CA Sonoma County

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The general rules:

1. for someone to hook out at mid pool and get the ball from the goalie – look for fastbreak
2. someone to hook out at between 2-5m and get the ball from mid pool – look for fastbreak
3. a pass to be made to a fastbreak at this point
4. if no fastbreak, maintain possession and wait until centre-forward is set
5. go in to set play mode (drive, pick, screen)
6. make space for an outside power shot if necessary

Teams generally set up in a D formation. That is three players along the 2m line, the centre-forward (in the middle or on the post) and two players wide either side. One player usually then sets up in the middle about 6m out, with two either side at between 4m and 5m out. The distance out must leave room for the cf to not be crashed, and for the team to make its preferred set play.

Getting players to this position quickly is paramount.

Set Plays

Boris
(Source – Jim Floerchinger)
3 teams in 3 different color hats. 2 teams at one goal, and the third at the other. While the 2 teams are playing a 40-45 second running time offense in which the attacking team (white) gets to score/shoot as many times as possible in the 40-45 seconds.
Then send the defenders (red) to the waiting team (blue) at the other end,
and have another 40-45 second attack. The 'waiting' team does various exercises, double breast stroke kicks, pass a medicine ball, or merely pass or shoot. Spend 10-15 minutes on the drill, don't just have it go on and on. Another variation is to have your 'A' team be offense only, and have 2 semi-fresh defensive units.

Spandau
(Source – Jim Floerchinger)
A game where you try to get a shot off your counter, score it, get a 2m throw, score the 1/2 court, get a 6 on 5, score that, get another, up to three 6 on 5's, and then counter the other way. Any steal is a change of direction, offense gets rewarded ONLY when they score.