Category: Offensive Schemes
Type: Strategy
THE UMBRELLA OFFENSE
"The Umbrella" is most common offensive set up in water polo. There are four (4) different positions. These positions will be referred to as left or right, as if you were looking at the goal. The four (4) different positions are the 1) Hole-Man, 2) Wing, 3) Driver, 4) Point Man.
We will start with the hole position, or the "Hole Man." The Hole-Man is positioned on the 2-meter line, right in front of the goal, and acts as the focal point of the offense. Most offenses are built around the Hole-Man. The person playing this position should be one of the teams stronger players, both swimming wise as well as physical. Shots coming from the hole should be quick. The Hole-Man should not be holding onto the ball for a very long time.
The wing position is located to the left and right side of the Hole-Man out near the walls, lined up around the 3-meter mark. The wingers are used for hole passes against a "hole front defense," and may become part of a pick-and-roll offense if the coach desires. Very few shots are taken from the wing position, due to the small shooting angle given by the position.
The driver position is to the right and left of the hole man, around the 5 to 6-meter mark, even with the goal posts. The driver does just that, swims (or "drives") toward the goal, looking to score if he/she gets a pass while driving. The driver can also take outside shots.
The point man is lined up with the hole man, or half way between the goal posts, at or around the 7 meter mark. The point man can either drive for shots or take outside shots.
When all players are set up, the outside players (winger, drivers, and point man) would look like a half circle, or resemble an umbrella. "The Umbrella" offense described below is the basic way to run it. Other offensive schemes can be run, starting from the umbrella. The ball is passed around between the outside players, while the hole-man gets into a set position, with him/her facing his players and the defender between him/her-self and the goal. When the hole-man is ready, he will call for the ball, after which, the field player with the ball should pass it to him using with a wet pass landing approximately 3 ft away from the hole mans head. More often than not, the hole man will be fouled, unless of course he/she takes a shot. When the whistle blows, everyone moves. The two drivers take a straight drive to their side of the goal, popping out of the water ready to catch the ball for a shot around the 3 or 4 meter mark. If the drivers can obtain "inside water" (their defender behind them), it is advisable to use a wet shot or a timing shot and not a "pop-up." The drivers should tell their hole man how they want the pass as they are driving. While the drivers are doing their drives, the wingers should move up to take the driver position before the drivers get their passes. This minimizes the wing defensman's opportunity to interfere with the driver's play. If the driver does not get the pass on their drive, they are to swim away from the hole to the nearest wing position. The left winger becomes the left driver, and the left driver becomes the left winger. Likewise for the right side. If the drivers do not have a good position for a shot, the hole man should pass the ball to another, open, field player. "The Umbrella" has just been reset once the drivers swim out to the wing. The offense can be run again, as described as above.
Submitted by: Coach Dave
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