Scoring in water polo is all about shot selection and timing. Players fake and move with the ball to find the opportune time to take their shot. Depending on the shooter’s angles and the goalie’s position, they may opt for a skip shot or lob, aiming near side or cross cage. Shooting in water polo involves numerous factors, with none more intriguing than the speed of the shots.
Embed from Getty ImagesWater Polo Shooting Speeds
| Shot Type | Men 🤽♂️ | Women 🤽♀️ |
| Fastest Shot | 60 MPH / 96 KPH | 42 MPH / 67 KPH |
| National Team Range | 40 – 55 MPH / 64 – 88 KPH | 33 – 42 MPH / 53 – 67 KPH |
| National Team Average | 47 MPH / 75 KPH | 38 MPH / 61 KPH |
| High School Range | 30 – 38 MPH / 48 – 61 KPH | 15 – 30 MPH / 24 – 48 KPH |
The fastest men’s water polo shot topped out at 60 MPH, while the fastest women’s shots are in the low to mid 40s. While these numbers may seem impressive, they’re not the norm for water polo shooting speeds.
Elite water polo players typically throw the ball between 40 – 55 MPH. Women’s division players throw close to 40 MPH on average. Shooting speeds vary based on shot type and difficulty of defense. It’s safe to say the top male players are throwing the ball 45+ MPH, while the top women’s players are throwing ball close to 40 MPH in games.
Data sources:
Goal Shot Analysis in Elite Water Polo—World Cup Final 2018 in Berlin
Throwing Velocity in Water Polo Elite Competition: Analysis of Associated Variables
Radar and The Biomechanics of The Shot: Part 1
Embed from Getty ImagesBreaking Down The Shooting Data
Water polo shots have gotten much faster over time. In the most recent study at the World Cup Final in 2018 in Berlin, men’s division players were throwing the ball over 44 MPH / 71 KPH on average. Shots coming this fast give the goalie less than half a second to react.
In a previous study conducted with game data from 2006 and 2007, male players were topping out at 46 MPH and averaging 38 MPH for their shot speed. Female athletes were averaging 31 MPH.
The study from the 2018 World Cup drew some interesting conclusions that may seem obvious but are still good to keep in mind and have players work on.
- Boost your base throwing speed. Players score more often with less than maximum power throws. By enhancing your base speed, you can prioritize accuracy while maintaining power.
- Improve your ability to create space. Optimizing your spatial positioning quickly before shooting allows players to use their full body to throw the ball without defense interference.
Anecdotal Evidence
Using a radar gun, we were able to record our shot speed at a recent practice. Our fastest shot was around 44 MPH. Most male players averaged around 40 MPH with their water polo shots.
We also used a radar gun at a previous shooting competition where the winning shot speed was 47 MPH.
The athletes who took part in the event came from club programs across the country, each with different skill levels and backgrounds.
Want to shoot harder?
Learn drills and techniques from Olympic water polo player Maggie Steffens on how to have a harder and more accurate water polo shot.
Review the fundamentals of shooting with former USA Water Polo coach Terry Schroder and former D1 water polo athletes.
