How can I improve how high I can get my body out of the water for water polo?

Question

I feel like strong legs and lower back are key, but how do I develop them in the proper way to improve my maximum vertical out of the water? I know treading and cherry pickers are important, but what kind of lifting can help, if any? I weigh 185 and am currently trying to improve my leg press. I can rep 500 right now (4 sets of 12).. should I keep trying to improve on the leg press? Does the leg press build a good foundation for what I'm trying to accomplish? .... What else can I do to help? I would like to be able to get my suit completely out of the water when I to go up to shoot

Answer 1

Wow! 4x 12 leg press at 500 is pretty impressive.  I play water polo competitively, and I'm a pretty decent high school player, and I can't do nearly that much.  Legs are definitely the important factor, but leg press can only do so much.  Eventually there's a limit in how far you can go up.  It's different for everybody depending on their body shape and size, but some people can just go higher than others.

Answer 2

just keep lifting those weights!!...good luck water polo ROCKS

Answer 3

well in the weightroom, keep doing the leg press, but try lower weights at more and faster reps to build quickness.  Also, do leg extensions and leg curls.

Answer 4

umm just keep doing eggbeater sets in practices....also try doing them on your own if you can...also if you have a clear shot at the goal...you can lay almost horizontal in the water...then you pick up your upper body...this lets you get up to your hips...then you can use your legs to do the rest....then you can rotate your upper body to shoot better...good luck