Center/2 Meter Offense: The Step Out

In the center position the offensive player must step out to the ball as the ball is being entered. We cover why, when, and how to step out in this video for all polo players interested in being an effective hole set. ‪@ShaquaticsNet‬
Buy Merchandise at our Team Store: www.youtube.co...

[@DavidMiddleton0]

These tutorials are great. They break the actions down into easy to follow steps and importantly, explain why to do things this way. I'd love to see some tutorials on different ways to take the ball around a defender.

[@ShaquaticsNet]

First off, thank you. Second, when you say ways to take the ball around a defender are you talking about hooking your defender and turning them?

[@DavidMiddleton0]

Yes please. That would be great.

[@ShaquaticsNet]

@@DavidMiddleton0 Yep, definitely on the short list of ones we need to do.

[@billpireus78]

Thanks for the video!

[@tylersoo]

Glad to see this channel running again! Great tutorial

[@ShaquaticsNet]

Thank you!

[@FelAll-cw8iy]

Hey David, Could you please make a video on how to get better at 2 metre offence. My coach is playing me up in under 16s as a centre forward. I’m playing against boys bigger than me. Pls make a video to help me out. Keep up the great work!!!

[@ShaquaticsNet]

I'm assuming you watched the step out video, prior to that we released the 2M Preparation video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqHZamtjfJyad9k I would watch those two to start and work on that. The preparation is the most important part. We'll be releasing videos on the actual shots in the future, but for now those two will help you out. Good Luck and hopefully we can get some more up soon!

[@FelAll-cw8iy]

Ok thanks 🙏 will check those out now

[@bmmtstb]

Could you make a video, that shows what the defender can do to protect against the step out, without risking exclusions? I've seen too many defender exclusions in the last games...

[@ShaquaticsNet]

Yes, we can do that, I’ll mark it down.

[@Stephenfratus]

These are really wonderful videos. My son is on one of the best clubs in the country, but is a late puberty type of kid. He's passionate about water polo, but our club, and the other clubs in the area, focus their teaching on making the early bloomers and elite players better, since they naturally want to win tournaments and grow the club's reputation. Your videos have been a great help to him in understanding how to actually play. Now I noticed that you set up your step out move from a flattened back type of position instead of a quarter turn position? Is there a reason you prefer to teach the step out this way? Is it not harder to escape from a hold when you can't make the full body twist as you step out?

[@ShaquaticsNet]

First off, thank you. Second, I hate the fact that any club focuses their teaching on a certain segment of their team. If a kid shows up ready to practice and work then they deserve to be taught, that's my opinion. Third, great question. As with all of our videos I teach the basic move first and then we add nuance if we're able to do another one. The basic position for the center most of the time is going to be back flat to his man. It doesn't mean there won't be situations when you go perpendicular as you stated, but I would say 80% of the time you want to be back to your man. Here's why, with your back to your man you can get wider, elbow to elbow so the defense has a harder time getting around you. Second, if you are turned perpendicular, you've already given away half of your move, it doesn't allow you to throw your shoulder back into the defense to create separation. If you step out and they are holding then you will show the hold in your perpendicular position rocking back and forth, in fact you've given me a great idea for another video. Maybe even a couple of videos. I hope that makes sense, let me know if you have other questions or that's not clear.

[@Stephenfratus]

@@ShaquaticsNet Thanks for the response. The nature of club water polo has been challenging for my son, but he wants to coach at some point, and he'll want to help grow the kids who really want to learn. So there's a solid life lesson there. As to the step out, I think I get what you're saying. So it looks like there's maybe a trade off going on here. If, for example, you have your back completely turned to your opponent then you are in the best position to protect front, because in that way you are creating the widest possible frame for the defender to get around. But the downside is that when you step out you aren't going to generate much separation, especially if you're being held underwater. And based on our experience you will always be held, and rarely will the defense be called on it. Alternatively, if you have positioned yourself with your right shoulder blade (for a righty) into your opponent, then when you make your step out you can generate a lot of movement by twisting your body from right to left and pushing off underwater with your left arm. This will allow you to gain separation even if you're being held. But the downside is that, by turning your shoulder blade into your opponent, you've made it easier for the guard to take front from you. Do you think this is an accurate statement? Does it make more sense to position yourself to keep your back to your opponent when the Refs are calling fouls and position yourself with your shoulder blade into your opponent when they're letting things go? Thanks again for your many insights.

[@ShaquaticsNet]

@@Stephenfratus I think that's great if your son coaches, and good on you to turn a negative situation into a positive lesson. As for the step out, I'm going to do a video answering your question directly, I hope to do that within a couple of weeks. I think the visual will help clear up a lot of stuff and so let me get that out and then let's talk afterwards and see if that clears everything up.

[@user-bm7bw3fw3k]

Is the club Del Mar? Or maybe shores?

[@ShaquaticsNet]

@@Stephenfratus Here's a video I just finished to answer your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joPYcn2mepmUh8k

[@lomdom8831]

Center back please

[@ShaquaticsNet]

Are you referring to the center/set/2 meter position? (So many different names for that position!) We have videos coming out soon on different center shots. We do have 2 videos on center/2meter preparation and the step out in our 2 meters play list. Hope that at helps!