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Shallow-End Target Shots

Stand in shallow water and throw the ball at a target to learn the shooting arm action.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Stand where your coach picks, with your throwing hand on top of the ball.

Core: Medium. Beat your own best out of 10.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Space
Pool
Bring
Pool, water polo ball, targets or cones on the deck
Level · skill
Beginner · Shooting

The steps

How it works

  1. Stand where your coach picks, with your throwing hand on top of the ball.
  2. Lift the ball high with your elbow up.
  3. Step and throw at a target on the deck.
  4. Take 20 shots and count hits.

Coaching point

Elbow high, point at the target.

Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach. Stand only where your coach says the water is shallow enough.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Target-corner game: two teams of two take turns shooting at floats hung in the goal corners. Each team counts only its own hits.

Challenge

Pick a target: Less (big), Core (medium), More (small). Beat your own best out of 10.

Story

You are an aiming star: hit the treasure buoy.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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