Game version
Shadow swim: stay between your partner and the goal with your arms in a good position, with no holding or contact. Swap often.
Keep-Away Defense Game
A no-contact keep-away game where defenders try to block or catch passes.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Two players pass, one defender in the middle.
Core: Swims slowly. Beat your own run of steady shadows.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- 4 or more players
- Space
- Pool
- Bring
- Pool, water polo ball, 4 or more players
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Two players pass, one defender in the middle.
- The defender raises a hand to block or catches a pass.
- Swap when the defender touches the ball.
- Play for 6 minutes.
Coaching point
Hands up, watch the ball.
Safety: Swim only with a lifeguard or coach watching and, under 14, a grown-up within arm’s reach. No grabbing, holding or splashing in faces: this is a no-contact game.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (partner floats), Core (swims slowly), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady shadows.
Story
You are a dolphin guarding the reef.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own run of steady shadows. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free water polo week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
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An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.