FUNdamental 1

Chronological Age: 8u

Theme: Play

Training Emphasis: Physical and Fundamental Skills

Objective: Physical activity is fun

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Physically active children become physically active adults.  The development of physical literacy during this time period is very important.  Emphasize the ABCs (agility, balance, coordination and speed) in all activities, sports and water polo training.  For complete physical literacy children should learn fundamental movements and sport skills in the four basic environments; in the water, on the ground, on the snow and ice and in the air.  “If you can” is a central part of the Lamorinda Water Polo Club’s philosophy.   If you can swim…, If you can eggbeater…, If you can throw…  The FUNdamental 1 Program emphasizes gaining a feel for the water develops confidence, introduce swimming and water polo together and introduce and learn base swimming and water polo skills. 

 

FUNdamental 2

Chronological Age: 10u

Theme: Participation and Passion

Training Emphasis: Physical and Fundamental Skills

Objective: Fun, Fitness and Fundamentals

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Create a love and passion for physical activity, sports and water polo.  Physically active children become physically active adults.  The development of physical literacy during these two stages is very important.  Emphasize the ABCs (agility, balance, coordination and speed) in all activities, sports and water polo training.  For complete physical literacy children should learn fundamental movements and sport skills in the four basic environments; in the water, on the ground, on the snow and ice and in the air.  “If you can” is a central part of the Lamorinda Water Polo Club’s philosophy.   If you can swim…, If you can eggbeater…, If you can throw…  The Fundamental 2 Program continues to develop the athlete’s base swimming and water polo skills and introduced to water polo specific attacking and defending skills.  Use games to develop speed, strength and flexibility. Competitions are modified to emphasize skill development, participation and fun. 

 

Learn to Train

Chronological Age: 12u

Theme: Athleticism and Practice

Training Emphasis: Dynamically structured training

Objective: Introduction of structured practices and water polo specific training with an emphasis on athleticism

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The Learn to Train Program with the Train to Train Program are the two most important stages of athlete preparation.  The Learn to Train program introduces dynamically structured training.  The objective of the program is to master physical literacy with athletes participating in various sports and activities.  Water Polo training will have athletes playing multiple positions with the focus being on skill development, participation and fun.  Skill development focuses on agility, balance, coordination and speed with the goal of also improving technical and tactical decision making.  Introduction of strength training is incorporated with the use of body weight and medicine ball exercises. 

 

Train to Train

Chronological Age: 14u

Theme:  Build the engine

Training Emphasis:  System preparation

Objective: Significantly improve overall physical preparation and skill performance in training and competition.

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The Train to Train Program with the Learn to Train Program are the two most important programs for athlete preparation. The objective of the stage is to build the engine.  The stage focuses on athlete development through the Lamorinda Water Polo’s training and water polo system.  The stage emphasizes optimal physical and fundamental training in connection with technical and tactical training.  The yearly training plan includes water polo, dry land, strength and classroom training.  The program also introduces psychological training focusing on goal setting, concentration, retention and motivation.  The program also targets ODP and National Team identification.

 

Train to Compete

Chronological Age: 16u

Theme:  Specialization 1

Training Emphasis:  Competition preparation

Objective: Training is the preparation for competition.

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Training to Compete Stage emphasizes the training is the preparation for competition.  The stage focuses on optimizing physical, fundamental, technical, tactical and psychological competencies.  The Train to Compete Stage focuses on optimizing physical preparation, emphasizing significantly learning and improving in order to execute a practiced behavior in competition. The Training to Compete Stage is a year round training program with a fully integrated training and water polo system.  The program includes water polo, dry land, strength, video and classroom training.   The program also targets College and National Team identification.

 

Train to Perform

Chronological Age: 18u

Theme: Specialization 2

Training Emphasis: On demand performance

Objective: Structured individual and team training programs that meet the needs of training, competition and recovery.

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The Train to Perform Stage emphasizes on demand high performance training regardless of conditions or circumstances.  The stage focuses on preparing athletes physically, fundamentally, technically, tactically and psychologically for high level 18u competition, ODP and National Team selection and training and becoming a NCAA Student-Athlete.  The 18u program includes water polo, dryland, strength, video and classroom training.  16u athletes may be selected by the Technical Director in collaboration with 16u and 18u coaches for 18u training and competition. 

 

Train to Perform evolves from Train to Compete.  This stage encompasses the second phase of water polo-specific specialization, requiring intense training and involving more complex annual and multiyear planning.  The Train to Perform Stage, although not the final stage of the overall pathway, is the ultimate performance stage and the period should be used to determine the effectiveness of the long-term athlete development process from a high-performance standpoint.