An Introduction to Playing Driver - By Zac Monsees

Zac is a graduate of Cal-Berkeley, earning his diploma in History in 2008. While at Cal, Zac was a First Team All-American water poloist, academic All-American, 2x NCAA Champion, a USA National Team member, and played professionally in Spain and Brazil. As a member and former commissioner of the storied Olympic Club water polo program, Zac has been a key contributor to medal winning teams in every major US competition.

Zac writes a popular water polo blog, Pool Reflections on Substack and has written a water polo instructional called Playing Driver. Below you will find the introduction of Playing Driver. If you're interested in his work, we really encourage you to subscribe to his Subtack or consider purchasing Playing Driver. 

Excerpt from Playing Driver

“Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, and wherever we are going, we owe it to ourselves, to our art, and to the world to do it well.” – The Obstacle is the Way (Ryan Holiday)

After diving deep into my stacks of water polo journals and binders—a veritable ocean of sport specific knowledge accumulated over three decades—I realized I should probably write this book before I drown in paperwork. So, here it is, a missive on driving positions, which is by far the most popular position in water polo, probably because everyone wants to be the guy the team looks for in position to shoot when the game is on the line.

As a left-hander, I see the world (and the pool) a little differently. This quirky trait gives me a unique angle on driving positions—quite literally. Water polo has blessed (or cursed) me with the chance to compete alongside, and occasionally survive against, some of the best drivers in the world. If you want to defend against these technical wizards, you’ve got to understand their every move, reaction, and habit—think of it like being a water polo Sherlock Holmes, but with more splashing.

This book distills the pearls of wisdom I’ve gleaned from years of water polo warfare at the high school, club, Division 1, National Team, and Professional levels. (I’m somewhat qualified.)

One quick note for clarity: when I say “½ side,” I’m talking about the left side of the pool as you face your opponent’s goal. And since I’m an American writing in America, we’ll be using the American water polo offensive numbering system. Don’t like it? Blame geography

Many of the legendary water polo players in history have held the driver position. Why? Because the driver is typically played by the most trusted decision-makers and highest-percentage finishers in the professional ranks. When you study some of the greatest water polo teams ever, there’s a common thread: they all had elite shooters, passers, and decision-makers owning the ½ driver position. The good news for right-handers? This role is yours for the taking with proper preparation and obsession. Left-handers, you can relax (for now) because it’s usually not ideal to have you on the ½ side (the goalie’s right). Those awkward, cross-faced passes are harder to catch, and frankly, we all prefer fewer wild throws.

Left-handers, if you're still with me, your responsibilities differ from those of right-handed drivers. This book will still inform your game, but here’s a pro tip: for your coach’s sanity, stay on your side of the pool. Trust me, you’ll see better results. And as a universal note to all players: it’s your responsibility to sharpen your fundamental toolkit. Leverage your natural abilities to build a unique style that complements your team’s needs on the ½ side. You’re welcome.

If you’ve picked this book up, congratulations—you’re probably already coachable. Spending your free time reading this means you're at least trying. But coachability isn’t just about nodding politely and taking notes. It’s about becoming a human sponge and execution machine. Learn from everything: your coach’s instructions, your teammates’ mistakes, even that player who’s still trying to figure out how to pass. They all have something to teach you. If you can clearly describe the fundamentals to a new player, your fundamental knowledge increases. Coachability in its purest form is the ability to apply new skills at the perfect moment for maximum team impact.

Speaking of teams, you’ve got six other people in the pool with you. Water polo isn’t a one-man show. Your teammate isn’t open if you can’t pass the ball, and they’re not open if they aren’t ready to receive it. Pass when they're ready, not when you are. Similarly, if you drive toward the goal when no one can pass to you, even if you’re the best driver in the world, it’s a wasted effort. Remember: it’s your job to improve your fundamentals, build your strength, enhance flexibility, and level up your cardio. Water polo is a game of constant improvement. Skills are never stagnant. They either get better or worse. Compound interest works in more than just finance—it applies to skill development and team execution, too.

And hey, let’s not knock peer pressure. It gets a bad rap, but in team sports, it can elevate everyone. When you see your teammates improving, it lights a fire under you. You’ll find yourself spending more time in the pool and less on the couch (hopefully). That’s what makes great teams—everyone raising their game because of the person next to them. Remember, there’s a difference between "just practicing" and competing. The real competitors try to win at every stage, and they dig deep when fatigue sets in. Good players execute sometimes, but great players execute consistently—especially when everyone else is tired. There’s no room for excuses in high performance. Competitors keep their heads clear in the face of adversity because they face it every day.

Now, let’s talk about Hungary, a country that’s taken the phrase "water culture" quite literally. With over 1,300 thermal springs (123 in Budapest alone), they’re practically swimming in it. Despite being a quarter of California’s size, with a population just shy of 10 million, Hungary has managed to win 9 golds, 3 silvers, and 3 bronze medals in men’s Olympic water polo. What’s their secret? Besides talent and discipline, they also believe—no, they know—that every dip in a thermal bath makes them better at water polo. It's a cultural obsession. For them, the greatest players aren’t just talented, they’re relentless in their self-belief and their commitment to improving.

And it’s not just Hungary. Spain, Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece all have smaller populations and fewer players, yet they consistently dominate on the world stage. What does that teach us? Talent is only part of the equation. Focus on fundamentals, train smart, and obsess over the little details. You think you are granular in your details right now? 10x it. Just like football, water polo is a game of inches. Junior Olympics medalists vs. 20^th place teams routinely comes down to a few good passes. Talent might get you noticed, but discipline and obsession make you great.

You can learn from everyone. Yes, even if it’s just learning what not to do. Make learning about water polo a habit. Absorb as much as you can every day, and then push for a little more the next day. Kobe Bryant once said it’s not about how long you practice; it’s about how much focused practice you put in. Keep a water polo journal. Take notes on opposing teams, players, plays, and track your own development. Not only will this help you grow, but one day, you’ll have a stack of memories to look back on. That notebook will become your personal water polo autobiography. Water polo is a fantastic game, and trust me, Father Time is undefeated—so make the most of your time in the pool. The more you improve, the more fun you’ll have. Winning every day is an addictive habit.

Now, let’s dive in!