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American Water Polo
The educational program of American Water Polo is administered through weekend seminars conducted throughout the year at various locations around the country. The seminars are divided into four basic competency levels: Novice Level The Novice Level covers an introduction to the sport and the field of coaching. Following the completion of this level, individuals should be able to initiate a basic program or serve as an assistant coach. Intermediate Level The Intermediate Level details the essential components of coaching water polo, meant to establish a basic competence and knowledge of the skills, tactics, and strategies. Following the completion of this level, a coach should possess a thorough understanding of the game. Advanced Level The Advanced Level covers topics administration, sports science, and psychology. Individuals meeting the requirements of the Advanced Level will have gained competency in areas that will directly relate to the success of their teams and their athletes’ performance. Superior Level Superior Level requirements focus primarily on exposure to high-level coaching experiences, as well as additional educational opportunities directed at specific subjects relating to sports science, conditioning, and tactics. Certification Process Coaches completing specific seminars and recording satisfactory grades will be certified at the level they have completed and receive a certificate of achievement. In addition, their membership cards will reflect the level of certification earned. Overview The American Water Polo Coaches Education Program provides formalized instruction for individuals interested in learning how to coach the sport of water polo. The Education Program is comprised of seminars held on weekends, taught by trained clinicians all over the United States. Curriculum The curriculum is divided into different areas, based on the certification level. A description of the curriculum and its corresponding schedule is detailed below. Novice Education This seminar will cover a brief overview of the most important areas involved in starting and maintaining a water polo program. Directed towards the individual with little or no experience in coaching water polo, the objective is to provide enough basic information to run a safe practice and get a program off the ground. Swim coaches and parents interested in starting a program or getting involved with an existing team are welcome. The American Water Polo Novice Level Manual will serve as the textbook and all individuals registering for the seminar will be provided one. Individuals wishing to receive their copy in advance of the seminar should contact the office. Seminar Schedule, Saturday 8:30 Registration 8:45-9:00 Orientation 9:00-9:30 Professionalism in Coaching 9:30-10:00 Safety 10:15-11:00 Rules 11:00-12:00 Practice Theory 1:15-2:15 Teaching Skills 2:25-3:30 Tactics and Strategy 3:30-4:15 Practice Plan 4:30-5:00 Discipline Problems 5:00-5:30 Questions Sunday 9:00-9:55 Game Management 10:00-11:00 Budgeting & Fundraising 11:15-11:45 Code of Conduct & Developing Team Policies 11:45-12:15 Getting Started 12:15-12:45 Questions & Feedback Intermediate Level -Offense This area will cover offensive tactics and strategies, including the drills and training necessary to make them effective. This seminar may be held in conjunction with a competition for the purpose of reviewing videotape and game action to supplement the classroom schedule. Seminar Schedule, Offense Session times may be revised when the seminar is held in conjunction with a tournament. Saturday 8:30 Registration 8:45-9:00 Orientation 9:00-9:30 Professionalism in Coaching 9:45-10:45 Counter Attack 11:50-12:30 Front Court Part 1-Explanation of Different Offenses 1:45-2:45 Front Court Part 2-Exploiting Defenses 3:00-3:55 Two-meter Play 4:00-4:55 Shooting and Faking 5:00-5:30 Questions Sunday 9:00-9:55 Driving and Picks 10:00-10:55 Man Advantage Situations 11:00-11:55 Set Plays 12:00-12:30 Questions & Feedback Intermediate Level-Defense This seminar will cover the areas associated with defensive tactics and strategies. Discussions will include training methods and drills necessary to accomplish implementation of various defenses. Whenever possible, this seminar may be held in conjunction with a competition for the purpose of reviewing videotape and game action to supplement the classroom schedule. Seminar Schedule, Defense Session times may be revised when the seminar is held in conjunction with a tournament. Saturday 8:30 Registration 8:45-9:00 Orientation 9:00-9:30 Professionalism in Coaching 9:30-10:00 Body Position 10:15-11:15 Explanation of Different Defenses 11:30-12:30 Countering Various Offenses 1:45-2:15 Defending Two-meters 2:30-3:30 Training and Developing Goaltenders 3:45-4:15 Defending the Counter Attack 4:15-4:45 Defensive Drills 5:00-5:30 Questions Sunday 9:00-9:55 Defending Drivers and Picks 10:00-10:55 Man-down Situations 11:00-11:55 How Talent and Facilities Affect Defensive Strategies 12:00-12:30 Questions & Feedback Advanced Level-Administration This seminar will cover the areas associated with administrating a program. Discussions will include practical methods for running a team and developing administrative support. Seminar Schedule-Administration Saturday 8:30 Registration 8:45-9:00 Orientation 9:00-9:30 Professionalism in Coaching 9:35-10:30 Recruiting and Retention of Athletes 10:45-11:15 Alumni and Community Development 11:15-12:00 Publicity 1:15-2:15 Budgeting and Fundraising 2:30-3:15 Team Discipline & Developing Team Policies 3:15-4:00 Dealing with School Administrators 4:15-5:00 Dealing with Referees 5:00-5:30 Questions Sunday 9:00-9:55 Parents/Booster Clubs on the High School Level 10:00-10:55 Conducting Tournaments-Logistical Details and Different Formats 11:00-11:55 Game & League Management 12:00-12:30 Questions & Feedback Advanced Level-Performance Enhancement This seminar will cover areas related to the athlete’s health and performance and will make use of guest speakers that are experts in various topics. Seminar Schedule-Performance Enhancement Saturday 8:30 Registration 8:45-9:00 Orientation 9:00-9:30 Professionalism in Coaching 9:35-10:30 Nutrition Guidelines 10:45-12:00 Eating Disorders 1:15-2:15 Substance Abuse-Its Prevention and Treatment 2:30-3:00 Flexibility and Stretching 3:00-4:00 Weight Training 4:15-5:00 Injury Treatment & Prevention 5:00-5:30 Questions Sunday 9:00-9:55 Team Dynamics and the Role of a Captain 10:00-10:55 Role of Sports Psychology in Motivating Athletes 11:00-11:55 Goal Setting for Athletes & Coaches 12:00-12:30 Questions & Feedback The schedule and list of topics covered for these seminars will be published on the web site. Participants may register at the door or they may pre-register by completing the registration form and returning it to the office by the registration deadline. Participants must meet the requirements listed below in order to register for a specific seminar. Requirements 1. Coaches must be certified at the preceding level (for example, individuals wishing to attend the Advanced Level Seminar must be certified as Intermediate level Coaches). Anyone may attend the Novice Level. 2. Individuals must pay for their seminar registration fee. Seminar Manuals Each seminar has a corresponding manual provided to every attendee. Seminar Manuals can be obtained in advance if desired by contacting the American Water Polo Office. Testing At the conclusion of each seminar, an exam is provided that must be completed and sent to the office. Once the exam is graded, the coach will be notified of the score and if passing, will receive notification and a certificate of achievement in the mail within 30 days. If the test score is not passing, the coach has the option to retake the test without having to attend the seminar again. Should the coach fail the exam once more, the coach is required to attend the seminar again before becoming eligible to retake the exam. Fees The fee for each seminar depends upon the location and level. Some locations may require additional fees due to the site and/or content of the seminar. In general, the following fee schedule will be followed:
Seminar fees include the seminar manual, collared shirt, certificate of achievement, and admission to any competition associated with the seminar. Participants are responsible for their own meals. American Water Polo will arrange housing at a local hotel for those needing overnight accommodations. Cancellation Policy Cancellations must be received in writing at least ten days prior to the seminar to receive a refund. Due to the fact that enrollments will be limited at each seminar, requests for cancellations received after that date will be granted only in the event that American Water polo can locate a replacement to attend. All cancellations will be assessed a $10 fee for the cost of materials.
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