Youth Water Polo Development Program
Created & coached by world-renowned Coach Ricardo Azevedo
Petroleum Club Pool/ Cabrillo High School (Long Beach, CA)
Introduction & Philosophy:
Sharks: This is an introduction to water polo and a recreational program. We are NOT a swim school and athletes must have strong basic swimming skills before joining. Athletes will gain skills that prepare them for any aquatic activity and water safety.
Pre-Team: This is the entry level into our competitive club program- the format is still 50% ‘recreation’ but training begins to focus more on base swimming and water strength/ conditioning. When athletes are ready, they will be invited to move up to the club level.
Winter/ Spring Schedule 2023:
Sharks – Intermediate Level (average age 6 -9)
Tuesdays/ Thursdays 5:15 – 5:45 pm (Cabrillo High School)
Sharks need to already be very comfortable in the water and have basic strong swim skills. What athletes will master:
- Swim freestyle across
- Swim backstroke across
- Go under water
- Swim breaststroke across
- Jump in the water
- Treading water for 30 seconds
- Throw the ball with one hand
- Kick all strokes with the ball
- Swim with the ball
- Hold the ball above water
- Kick on back
- Listen and perform following instructions
908 Club Pre-Team (average age 8 -10)
Tuesdays/ Thursdays 5:15- 6:10 pm (Cabrillo High School)
This group was created as a transition program for our Shark athletes as they prepare to join our 908 Water Polo Club 10u team.
New & continued skills for Pre-Team:
- Shark skills have been mastered
- Swim freestyle 25 yards
- Swim all 4 strokes well
- Throw the ball beyond 10 feet
- Eggbeater hands up for 60 seconds
- Catch the ball
- Jump with ball and don’t let it fall
- Be able to move forward in a shooting position with ball
- Change direction to all sides in the pool
- Shoot at goal from 10 feet
- Understand and accept contact
- Be competitive and thrive to move to 10 & under
908 Water Polo Club
The next step up from Pre-Team is to join our official USAWP sanctioned water polo club, 908 Water Polo. This club was created for our athletes that have passed through our Sharks and Pre-Team programs and are ready for formal competition. 908 currently has 10u co-ed teams, 12u boys and 14u girls teams.
Winter/ Spring Schedule:
10 & unders
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30 to 7:00 pm (Cabrillo HS)
12 & unders/ 14 & underst
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30 to 8:00 pm (Cabrillo HS)
- Wednesdays 5:30 to 7:30 pm (Cabrillo HS/ LBCC)
For more information, please email sara@azevedowaterpolo.com