6-8 Challenge

Water polo's first standardized skill assessment. Test your fundamentals, benchmark against athletes globally, and track your improvement over time.

Explore the Drills How It Works

Test. Assess. Repeat.

The 6-8 Challenge comprises six water polo-specific drills designed to properly teach, evaluate, and improve the most crucial fundamentals of the sport.

Whether you're a field player or a goalie, the Challenge provides an objective measurement of your abilities across the skills that matter most — giving athletes and coaches actionable insights for targeted improvement.

"The 6-8 Challenge provides athletes with the first standardized skill testing in water polo — benchmarking performance nationally and globally."

6-8 Challenge Athletes

Getting Started

How It Works

Four simple steps from your first Challenge to measurable improvement.

1

Take the Challenge

Participate in the 6-8 Challenge with your team or at one of our clinics, camps, or Academy sessions.

2

View Your Results

Access your results and see how you rank against athletes regionally and globally on the 6-8 Sports mobile app.

3

Train to Improve

Follow our 3-level video training program designed to improve each specific skill tested in the Challenge.

4

Track Progress

Retake the Challenge over time and track your improvement with detailed progress data and comparisons.

The Assessment

The 6-8 Challenge Drills

Standardized drills testing the most critical fundamentals for both field players and goalies.

Field Player Drills

DRILL 01

12.5 Meter Sprint

Assesses quickness and hip movement in the water — a key indicator of an athlete's swimming speed and agility.

DRILL 02

Medicine Ball Hold

Tests leg strength and treading power by measuring how long an athlete can hold a medicine ball above the water.

DRILL 03

Vertical Jump

Measures explosive power out of the water — critical for shooting, blocking, and defensive positioning.

DRILL 04

Obstacle Course

Evaluates comfort with hip movement and ball handling through a series of in-water obstacles and transitions.

DRILL 05

Radar Gun

Measures shot speed using a radar gun, providing an objective metric for shooting power and technique.

DRILL 06

Two Buoy

Tests horizontal movement without taking strokes — assessing an athlete's core strength and lateral mobility.

Goalie Drills

DRILL 01

12.5 Meter Sprint

Assesses quickness and hip movement in the water, a key indicator of an athlete's swimming speed and agility.

DRILL 02

Medicine Ball Hold

Tests leg strength and treading power by measuring how long an athlete can hold a medicine ball above the water.

DRILL 03

Vertical Jump

Measures explosive power out of the water, critical for shooting, blocking, and defensive positioning.

DRILL 04

25 Meter Breast Sprint

Evaluates breaststroke skill and endurance, the foundational swimming technique for goalkeepers.

DRILL 05

Four Corners

Assesses full range of motion by requiring goalies to reach all four corners of the goal rapidly and accurately.

DRILL 06

Eight Touch

Measures lateral movement speed, testing a goalie's ability to transition quickly across the goal.

6-8 Challenge Results

Results & Rankings

Every Challenge result is recorded and accessible through the 6-8 Sports mobile app, giving athletes a comprehensive view of their performance and growth.

  • View individual results for each drill after every Challenge
  • Compare your scores against regional and global benchmarks by age group
  • Track improvement over time with detailed progress charts
  • Access a global athlete results database with rankings
  • Share results with coaches and college recruiters
Explore the Mobile App

For Coaches & Teams

Run the Challenge

Everything you need to set up and execute the 6-8 Challenge with your team.

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Setup & Execution Guide

A complete guide for coaches on how to set up the drills, manage timing, and run a full 6-8 Challenge session with your team.

View Guide →
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Challenge Kit

Get all the equipment you need to run the Challenge. Available for purchase through 6-8- contact us for options.

Order Kit →
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Video Training Series

A 3-level video training program with tutorials for each drill, helping athletes improve their technique and results between Challenges.

Watch Videos →

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I take the 6-8 Challenge?

The 6-8 Challenge is run by certified coaches at the 6-8 Academy, College Series events, and other 6-8 camps and clinics globally. You can also have your team's coach run the Challenge using our Setup & Execution Guide and Challenge Kit.

Who can participate in the Challenge?

The 6-8 Challenge is open to water polo athletes of all ages and skill levels. There are separate drill sets for field players and goalies, and results are benchmarked by age group for fair comparison.

How do I see my results?

All Challenge results are available through the 6-8 Sports mobile app. After completing the Challenge, your results are uploaded and you can view your scores, rankings, and track your progress over time.

Can my team run the Challenge independently?

Yes. Coaches can purchase the Challenge Kit and follow the Setup & Execution Guide to run the full Challenge with their team. Results can be submitted through the 6-8 platform for benchmarking against the global database.

How often should I take the Challenge?

We recommend taking the Challenge at regular intervals — such as at the beginning and end of a season — to track improvement. Following our 3-level video training program between Challenges will help you improve your results.

What equipment is needed to run the Challenge?

The Challenge Kit includes all the specialized equipment needed. You'll also need access to a pool and standard water polo equipment. The Setup & Execution Guide provides a complete list of everything required.

Ready to Test Your Skills?

Take the 6-8 Challenge at our next event or run it with your team. Start benchmarking your performance today.

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