MASTERING SWIMMING AND TECHNICAL SKILLS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF INITIAL WATER POLO TRAINING

The purpose of the article is to consider the content and sequence of acquisition of swimming and technical skills by children and adolescents as part of initial water polo training, to provide relevant methodological recommendations to children’s coaches. Methods applied: analysis of scientific sources, pedagogical observation, generalization of coaching experience, synthesis of empirical information, classification and typology, and comparison. The article describes water polo swimming styles and some specific techniques of initial swimming training, including Head-Up Freestyle and Head-Up Backstroke, Trudgen and Sidestroke, swimming in place and walking in the water using various techniques such as Eggbeater Kick, Sculling or Breaststroke Kick, lifting and holding the body above the water and jumping out of the water, start for performing a dash, stopping, turning, and lunging. After mastering swimming skills, the initial training focuses on the technique of working with the ball. It is necessary to study the technical elements of water polo in compliance with the basic didactic principles, in a clear sequence of learning techniques from easier to more difficult. The author recommends switching to technical training no earlier than 10 years of age and devoting 2-3 years to mastering technical techniques. In the process of technical training, young water polo players consistently learn the techniques of picking up the ball from the water in different ways, dribbling the ball, catching it, transferring the ball from one hand to other, different types of Shooting for passing. Exercises for mastering the technical skills of water polo should be selected and used methodically competently. It is desirable to perform some of them first on land, and only then in water, first without movement, and only then in motion, so that the conditions for performing the exercises gradually approach those of the game. To make water polo training more interesting and attractive for children, the author recommends using Splashball as a modified version of water polo for beginners.