The Engine of the Game: Mastering the Perfect Eggbeater Kick
- Gareth Twohey
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you ask any experienced water polo player what the most important skill in the game is, they probably won’t say shooting or passing. They’ll say legs.
The "Eggbeater" kick is the foundation of everything we do in the pool. It’s what keeps you stable, lifts you high for a shot, and allows you to wrestle for position without sinking. Unlike swimming strokes, the eggbeater allows you to stay vertical and stationary while keeping your hands free to handle the ball.
Whether you are a junior just starting out or a senior player looking to refine your technique, perfecting your eggbeater is the fastest way to improve your game.
Here is the Morley Water Polo Club guide to the perfect eggbeater.
1. The Concept: Why "Eggbeater"?
The kick gets its name from the old-fashioned kitchen tool. The beaters on a mixer rotate in opposite circles to create a smooth, continuous force. Your legs need to do the same thing.
If you do a breaststroke kick, you bob up and down. With the eggbeater, because your legs are alternating, the thrust is continuous. This creates a smooth, stable base—like a platform—that allows you to pass and shoot with accuracy.
2. The Setup: The "Sitting in a Chair" Position
Before you start kicking, check your posture.
Torso: Vertical. Do not lie on your back or your stomach.
Hips: Bent at a 90-degree angle, as if you are sitting in a chair.
Knees: Wide apart. Ideally, your knees should be wider than your shoulders.
3. The Movement: Step-by-Step
Imagine you are doing a breaststroke kick, but one leg at a time.
Left Leg: Rotate your lower leg in a clockwise circle (towards the right).
Right Leg: Rotate your lower leg in a counter-clockwise circle (towards the left).
The Rhythm: They should alternate. As the left leg kicks out and gathers water, the right leg recovers. Kick, recover, kick, recover.
Crucial Detail: Keep your feet flexed (toes pointing toward your shins) during the kick phase. This maximizes the surface area pushing against the water. You can point your toes on the recovery (bringing the leg back in), but flex them hard when you push.
4. Top 3 Common Mistakes
If you feel like you are sinking or bobbing, check for these issues:
The "Narrow Knee": If your knees are too close together, you lose stability. Keep them wide!
The "Pointed Toe": If you point your toes during the kick, you are slicing through the water instead of pushing it. Flex those feet!
The "Bob": If you are bouncing up and down, your timing is off. You are likely kicking with both legs at nearly the same time. Slow it down and focus on the alternating rhythm—Left... Right... Left... Right.
5. Drills to Improve Your Eggbeater
Want to get stronger? Try these drills at our next training session:
Hands Up: Try to eggbeater with your chin out of the water and your hands out of the water (wrists only). Once that’s easy, try elbows out. Then, try streamlining your arms straight up in the air.
The Jug Carry: Hold a heavy water jug (half-filled) with both hands above the water while maintaining your height.
Changes of Direction: Eggbeater isn't just for staying still. Practice moving forward, backward, and sideways using only your legs.
Final Thought
A strong eggbeater takes time to build. It requires flexibility in the hips and knees, as well as core strength. But once you unlock it, the game changes. You stop fighting the water and start playing the game.
Want to improve your technique? Come down to Morley Leisure Centre and join us for a session. Our coaches are always on hand to help you refine your skills!
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