FAQs
General questions
Can I join at any time?
New members are welcome to join anytime.
My child is not sure if he or she will like water polo. Can he or she attend practice before committing to the session?
Yes. We offer regular free trial weeks to any interested player. No water polo experience is required. We only ask that you complete a USAWP Trial Membership (select South Bay United #1280). Then register with SBU and we'll get you started.
Do you teach kids to swim?
No, we teach them to play water polo. There are several local instructors/swim schools where children can learn how to swim. Swimmers who are more advanced than beginners may join our conditioning program for an excellent base. See your water polo coach to learn about which option might be best for your child.
My child is in middle school and is interested in playing water polo in high school. Should he start playing now?
Absolutely, like any other sport, the child with more experience has the advantage.
Re-joining the team?
Athletes who rejoin the team after departing (becoming inactive) must re-register with SBU. A $150 reinstatement fee must be paid prior to beginning practice. In addition, a returning athlete must have been “a member in good standing” at the time of departure from SBU.
Does my child have to try out for your team?
We offer water polo development to any child interested in learning the sport.
Are there any requirements?
Yes, your child should be able to swim a minimum of 100 yards (50 yards for Splashball) of freestyle without stopping and remove him or herself from the pool without help and ladder.
How old do you have to be to play water polo?
We have programs for 4 to 18 year olds. Being comfortable in the water is the primary criterion for playing water polo. We have a fun Splashball program for the 5-8-year-olds and development programs, which provide young players a great foundation of the sport while they are doing other sports or getting ready for water polo.
What are the age groups in water polo?
Quite simply, your age in water polo is determined by your age as of August 1st of the next year. For example, in September 2017, someone born July 1st, 2007, is considered to be water polo age 11 and would need to play for the 12-and-Under team. Age groups are currently divided into:
- 18 & Under
- 16 & Under
- 14 & Under
- 12 & Under
- 10 & Under
- Splashball
How does SBU communicate with its members?
Most, if not all, communication from the club will be sent via email and through our website. We ask that parents and players make sure that their email information is current each season when registration occurs. It is the parents' and players' responsibility to make sure that they read and respond to team emails. This is especially true when a request is sent for player availability. We cannot sign up for a tournament until we are certain that we will have enough players available to compete. It is a poor reflection on a team and our club if we sign up for a tournament and then have to forfeit because we do not have enough players. Please do not ignore coaches' and team parents' emails – it is better to respond that you are uncertain at the time but will let us know when you can about your availbility than to ignore an email and force the coaches or team parents to follow up frequently. For HS players, we encourage their response and communication over that of their parents. We find that doing so brings a level of ownership and responsibility to the athlete at a critical time in their development.
Registration Questions
How do I register with South Bay United Water Polo?
Click on the Membership tab above.
Should I purchase the USA Water Polo “Gold”, “Silver” or “Splashball” membership?
Those players competing in the Junior Olympic Qualifier Tournament in May should register for a “Gold” membership. All other players, with the exception of Splashball, should purchase a “Silver” membership. You can upgrade your membership at any time during the year.
Practice Questions
Where can I find the current practice schedule and locations?
Our calendar lists the most current workout schedules posted. We practice at El Segundo Aquatics Center, El Segundo Plunge, Mira Costa High School, Hawthorne Municipal Pool, and Torrace Aquatic Center.
What should I bring to practice?
A swim brief or water polo suit for boys or one-piece suit and swim cap for girls, towel, and goggles (with name on them).
Attendance Questions
Who do I notify if my child will be missing a workout?
Competition players notify your coach and team parent.
My child has a lot of homework and may not be able to make the weekday workouts. Is that OK?
We firmly believe that academics are priority one. We are very flexible about workout attendance. As the players age up and are placed on competitive teams, the importance of consistent attendance increases, but academics should never suffer as a result of attending practice.
When is the best time to schedule our family's vacation?
Water polo is a year-round sport. However, we do have breaks generally at the end of the year and always following Junior Olympics (JOs) which is usually in last weekend in July. To be available for all competitions, the best time to schedule a vacation is during the period immediately following JOs (August). Also, the last couple of weeks of the calendar year are generally a quiet time, too (December). We understand that families have obligations or trips that require them to be away at other times of the year. Please let your coaches know as soon as possible when an athlete will be out for a vacation or any other reason.
Competition Teams Questions
How many tournaments will I be able to participate in?
Coaches in each age group will determine which tournaments their competition A and B teams will enter. On average, SBU enters one to two tournaments a month as well as participating in various leagues.
How much does it cost to enter tournaments?
The cost of each tournament varies. SBUWP takes the number of players per team and divides the tournament fee among the players.
How are rosters and playing time determined?
Athlete performance is constantly evaluated and therefore rosters are always subject to change. Coaches determine roster placement and playing time decisions based on several factors, including player’s attitude, practice attendance, and skill level and ability. Team parents are not involved in roster or playing time decisions.
If there is a question or concern about athlete team/roster placement or playing time, the following steps should be taken by the athlete:
- First, the athlete should approach his or her coach to discuss.
- If not resolved, the head coach of that age group and potentially the technical director, should be brought into the discussion between the athlete and the coach of that team.
- If the issue remains unresolved between the player and the coach, parents can arrange a meeting time with the Coach.
Do not surprise the coach with an impromptu meeting before or after practice or a game. Please respect the coach’s need to supervise players at these times and set up a mutually agreeable time in advance of a meeting.
We encourage parents and family members to attend the games but we certainly cannot guarantee playing time as a result of family attendance. There will be competitions where everyone will get equal playing time and others where playing time will vary greatly between athletes. While we appreciate and applaud the sacrifices you make as a family to travel to the various competitions, we will never base playing time on whose family is there. We hope that you are there to support the entire team, not just your athlete.
Splashball Questions
What is Splashball?
Splashball is designed to introduce the sport of water polo to children in kindergarten - 4th grade. Although water polo is known for its toughness and endurance, Splashball harnesses all the fun, dynamic aspects of the game in a safe, non-contact, easy to learn aquatic experience that will motivate kids to swim and stay fit. Splashball also helps to create a water-safe child in a fun setting, effortlessly learning swimming and water safety principles as part of the Splashball coaching technique. Watch this video produced by USAWP to learn more about Splashball.
What are the benefits?
- Develop water safety skills
- Cultivate health and fitness
- Sample a new sport for which you may have a special talent or passion
- Meet new friends in a safe, fun environment
- Build endurance and muscle tone
Are there any requirements?
Yes, your child should be able to swim a minimum of 50 yards (2 laps of a 25 yards pool) of freestyle without stopping and remove him or herself from the pool without help and ladder.
Program Questions
Do you have a girls program?
Yes, SBU has 12u, 14u, and high school girls teams. Please check our calendar for practice times.
Do you have a 10U coed team?
Yes. Please check our calendar for practice times.
Do you have a Splashball program?
Yes. Please check our calendar for practice times.
Should my child also be swimming on a swim team?
No, it is not a requirement to also join a swim team. SBU athletes are in the pool three to four times a week. Each practice begins by warming up with swim sets. In addition, we offer optional one-hour swim conditioning practices to our members at Hawthorne Municipal Pool. However, if you are interested in joining a swim team, speak with your coach for more information.
Team Uniform Questions
Is there a team uniform?
For all competition teams, the team uniform is one black SBU t-shirt, one white SBU t-shirt, team suit, and team swim cap (girls). Sweatshirts, parkas, and backpacks are optional.
How do I order team gear?
Click on Online Store and follow the instructions to create an S&R SBU Store account and purchase gear.
Coaching Staff Questions
What type of experience do the coaches have?
Our program consists of paid and volunteer coaches that are currently or have played on the men’s and women’s USAWP Olympic and National teams, college teams (including UCLA, LMU, CSULB), and local high schools.
How many coaches are on deck during practices?
SBU is committed to having at least two coaches on deck during practices.