Basic Vocabulary of the Game: Water Polo

Key Terms and Definitions

Counter

• Defense Scenario: If your team steals the ball, they counter by moving quickly to set up an offense.
• Offense Scenario: If the ball is stolen, counter back quickly to defend your goal.

Crash

• Defensive Move: A sudden movement towards the hole (the central player on the field and a primary threat) to help defend or steal the ball.

Drop

• Defensive Move: Moving away from the person you fouled to help guard the hole set.

Drive

• Offensive Move: An offensive player swims through the umbrella formation towards the goal to get open for a shot or to make a play like a pass.

Post Up

• Offensive Move: Similar to a drive, but here the player stops and sets up at the post, becoming a second hosta.

Press

• Defensive Move: Guarding an opponent intensely so they cannot pass, drive, or shoot.

Six on Five

• Special Situation: When the offensive team has an advantage because a defensive player is excluded from play.
  • Offensive Team: Known as "man up."
  • Defensive Team: Referred to as "man down."
  • Communication: Offensive team may shout "we're up!" and defensive team may shout "we're down!" to let everyone know the situation.

Set

• Offensive Strategy: When the whole set is prepared to receive the ball.
• Wet Pass: A pass delivered on the water to the whole set.