Understanding How The Positions Are Different In Water Polo by Brian Xicotencatl

​“A systematic identification of the positional demands of the game would have the implications for the establishment of specific training programs for individual athletes” (Smith 1996).
The Goalie
Goalies are a special breed of water polo players. Know for sometimes having great swimming ability and a great shot. But these are not the aspects of the sport that make the goalie special.
In game:
-          Spend 95% of their time Vertical
-          Activities are classified as being medium to high intensity with duration of no more than 45 seconds
-          Brief explosive movements are infrequent but do happen after 10-15 seconds of intense work.
-          Make frequent long passes 10 to 20 meters
-          Most Substantial Movement is “Ready Sculling”
-          Require high muscular power and the necessary strength and joint stability of the upper body to cope with repeated ball impact.
Anthropomorphically:
-          Taller and heavier than wing players
-          Greater arm span than wing players
-          Greater skeletal mass than all players
-          Longer upper and lower limb lengths than wing players
The Center Forward
Usually the largest players in the pool, center forwards are the biggest scoring threat on offense when used correctly.
In game:
-          Swims maximally very little except for when on counter Defense
-          Spends overall lower period of time in play than the other positions
-          Spends little time in 5 on 6 Defense
-          Best defense played when sowing down the countering center defender
-          Primary purpose is to score
-          Makes more frequent transitions for horizontal to vertical from all other positions
-          Performs very little brief under 10 second attacks or over head shots much less than CD’s, Attackers, and wings
Anthropomorphically
-          Taller, heavier, and dimensionally larger (Breadths, lengths, Girths) than wing players
-          Heaviest of all positions
-          Endo-morphic Body type
 
 
The Center Defender
One of the most versatile roles in the pool, the CD must be able to wrestle with a Center but also counter like an attacker.
In game:
-          Has small number of duels on the 2 meter position in proportion to the time spent in the game
-          Most time spent is vertical
-          Spends 3rd most time in the pool behind attackers and goalies
-          Primary focus is detouring the shot of the Center forward as well as countering the CF on offense
Anthropomorphically:
-          Taller, heavier, and dimensionally larger than the wing players
-          Endo-morphic body type
The Attacker
The most physically fit in the pool, the attacker does the most moving out of any positions.
In game:
-          Great number of movements characterized by a large quantity of swimming at a high intensity
-          Absence of duels compared to other positions
-          Purpose to try to create space advantage for receiving a pass, passing the ball, or shooting on rivals goals
Anthropomorphically:
-          Smallest in height and weight of all positions
-          Lower BF % than all other position
-          Shorter arms span than other positions
The Wing
In Game:
-          Primary Role to transfer the ball to the CF as well as prevent contra attack by 2nd line
-          Wing has a small number of duels but much more than attackers
-          Spends more time vertical than horizontal.
-          Greatest amount of time spent in the game
Anthropomorphically:
-          Smallest in height and weight of all positions
-          Lower BF % than all other position
-          Shorter arms span than other positions
-          Mesomorphic Body Type
 
 
References
Lozovina, M., Lozovina, V., & Pavičić, L. (2012). DIFFERENTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE WING ROLE IN THE TEAM TACTICS OF MALE WATER POLO. / DIFERENCIJALNA ANALIZA ULOGE KRILA U TIMSKOJ TAKTICI U MUŠKOM VATERPOLU. Sport Science, 5(2), 79-86.
Lozovina, M., Pavičić, L., & Lozovina, V. (2012). DIFERENTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE EXTERNAL ATTACKER ROLE IN THE TEAM TACTICS IN WATER POLO (MALE). / DIFERENCIJALNA ANALIZA ULOGE VANJSKOG NAPADAČA U EKIPNOJ TAKTICI U VATERPOLU (MUŠKARCI). Sport Science, 5(1), 77-84.
Lozovina, M., Pavičić, L., & Lozovina, V. (2011). DIFFERENTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE CENTER FORWARD ROLE IN THE TEAM TACTICS IN WATER POLO (MALE). / DIFERENCIJALNA ANALIZA ULOGE NAPADAČKOG CENTRA U MOMČADSKOJ TAKTICI U VATERPOLU (MUŠKARCI). Acta Kinesiologica, 5(2), 82-88.
Lozovina, M., Lozovina, V., & Pavičić, L. (2010). ANALYSIS OF CERTAIN INDICATORS OF THE LOAD IN THE PLAY OF GUARD IN TODAY WATER POLO. / ANALIZA ODREÐENIH INDIKATORA OPTEREĆENJA U IGRI BRANIČA U DANAŠNJEM VATERPOLU. Acta Kinesiologica, 4(1), 90-97.
Smith, H. (1998). Applied Physiology of Water Polo. Sports Medicine, 26(5), 317-334.
 

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