Offense

            Counter attack offense preparation begins when you are on defense. Once you see your opponent getting ready to shoot the ball, you should be thinking counter attack. The first four or five strokes are usually the most critical strokes on the counter attack. It is at this critical point where you and your teammates will know who is up. In addition, this critical point is also where most of the body separation will occur. Think of it as a head start so to speak. If you begin your counter attack three strokes ahead of your opponent then you will have a lead. Hopefully your teammates will notice this advantage and they will be able to work the ball down the pool to you.

            Teamwork on the counter attack is very important. After all, what’s the purpose of counter attacking your opponent if your team cannot get the ball to you? This is why releasing for the ball is so important. Making a clean release for the ball will help advance the ball down the pool quickly and it will help keep the counter attack going.

            Another very important aspect of the counter attack is swimming with your head up. The only time you should be allowed to put your head down is at the beginning of the counter attack at it's critical point where you are trying to build speed and separation. Otherwise, the entire counter attack should be done with your head up. There are a several reasons for doing this; one, to see where the ball is, two, to see where your teammates are and, three, to see if you need to help balance the counter attack.

Defense

            Counter attack defense is always the backbone of any good team.

            There are a couple of different ways to accomplish this task. Counter attack defense begins on the offensive side of the pool. It starts with first acknowledging that your teammate is either going to shoot the ball or make a pass. This is why having eye contact with the ball at all times is vital. By always keeping your eye on the ball you will rarely be caught off guard by a shot or a bad pass. Either a shot, a bad pass, or a steal are the three most common indicators that tell you to immediately start your counter attack defense.

            Once the counter attack defense begins; sprint away from your player. There are a couple reasons for doing this; one, is to prevent the opponent from grabbing you and getting an advantage and, two, so when you have created enough space away from your man you can swim backstroke and read the counter attack. When you are reading the counter attack you should be scanning the pool for, the ball, your man, or any of your teammates who are down?