Underwater Torpedo League

Sometimes teamwork makes the dreamwork. The ladies of the Fin Fatales (Austin, Texas) showcase some amazing passing skills which earned them the goal in the end. This was no an easy task howoever, the Mermaid Mafia (SoCal) showcases some determined defense, forcing the Fin Fatales to pass by inhibiting player movements by controlling legs, waists, and anything else they could get a hold of. #underwatertorpedoleague

Always Remember, Accurate Torpedoes are Deadly Torpedoes! Kansas City Misfits vs. Dorados (Los Alamitos, CA)

Kansas City Misfits Vs. Dorados (Los Alamitos, CA) Sometimes you gotta embrace the scrap. Sara showcased some serious tenacity (to no one’s surprise), but the KC Misfits managed to gain possession of the torpedo, clear the path to the goal, and got the job done. @onvous @Speedo USA @Speedo

It’s basic math, Leslie + torpedo = goal the Deep End Austin coach showcases her ability to remain calm in scraps, navigate the frenzy, and get a clean score once again! Credits to the Mermaid Mafia (SoCal) for fighting back and forcing a turnover early on. This one went to the Fin Fatales however, fair play to both teams! #underwatertorpedoleague

Did you know? UTL features a women’s bracket. The women of UTL show us how to scrap for a torpedo and score a goal. Grip strength and body positioning is key when fighting for posession of the torpedo. One of the Fin Fatales (Austin, Texas) uses her leg as a wedge to help her maintain possession of the torpedo. The Mermaid Mafias (SoCal) put up a solid fight in the scrap but weren’t able to force a turnover during this play. The Fin Fatales turned this into a clean and straightforward score. Breath control is huge in UTL and these ladies show us how it’s done!

Pro Teams Scrap! The Guapos (blue caps) playing out of Charleston, South Carolina and the Salamanders (yellow caps) playing out of Austin Texas start off in a scrap. Players from both teams fought for poessession of the torpedo, giving it their all by controlling wrists, arms, and shoulders. This is why UTL players need water confidence, you have to decide whether the torpedo or getting air is more important. The salamanders managed to get the turnover the torpedo and send it down the pool to an open teammate, resulting in a clean goal. Scraps: Only 2 players (4 total) fromm each team are allowed in a “scrap.” If the scrap reaches the surface of the pool, 2 players from opposing teams will compete in a dive race from the surface to gain possession of the torpedo. If there is more than 2 players from one team in the scrap, it results in a penalty shot from the non-violating team. Definition of a Scrap: 2-4 players from opposting teams competing to gain possession of the torpedo, no kicking, punching, choking, or submission movements are allowed. #wrestling #underwater #grappling #aquatics

Even Pros Fumble Sometimes! The Guapos playing out of Charleston, South Carolina (blue caps) and the Salamanders playing out of Austin, Texas (yellow caps) showed some impressive action on the pool deck. The salamanders managed to bring the torpedo all the way to the goal but had a slight fumble. Luckily a fellow salamander recovered the Torpedo and managed to score the goal after a bit of struggle. Maybe the turf monster started taking free diving classes . . . #underwatertorpedoleague @onvous @GORUCK

Pro Bracket: The Newport, CA Guppies (yellow) and Austin, Texas Toads (blue) absolutely threw down for this one. The scrap in the beginning was frantic but the toads mande an amazing play, by managing to spot an open player in the distance. Some basic passing earned a goal in this play. Sometimes teamwork matters more than downright aggression in UTL.

Aggression and Persistence! The Toads (Austin, Texas) vs. Yellowtails (Newport, CA) battle it out in the Pro Bracket. The Toads manage to escape the frenzy early on in the play. Yellowtails defenders even managed to establish a two-hand grip on the torpedo. The Toads were unphased and managed to push through by spinning through the defender. (This is something unique to UTL, sometimes its better to go with the flow, rather than strain trying to fight it). As pressure built up the Toads managed to pass the torpedo to a teammate in the nick of time, ultimately resulting in a goal. These two teams hq’ed at Deep End Austin and Newport-Mesa put up an absolutely stellar set of battles, plays, scraps, and frenzies. I’m sure the underwater audience would agree. Comment below if you noticed them the first time you watched.

The Toads and Yellowtails go at it once again. One of the ironies with UTL is that sometimes it is better to focus on moving the torpedo then yourself. The Toads initially showed stellar composure and passing skills under pressure from Yellowtails defenders. The Yellowtails managed to hang on in this play, forcing Toads players to surface, resulting in a turnover (in UTL if you breach the surface, you must let go of the Torpedo if you are in possession of it). The Yellowtails managed to push through Toads defenders in this play, with players lining themselves up with the goal for a last minute pass that scored. Control grips that control the wrist control and waist control are fully legal as long as there are no submissions. Fair play to both teams for an electric matchup! @onvous

Straight underwater wrestling! Enjoy this battle between the Yellowtails (Newport, CA) in orange and the Toads (Austin, TX) in blue. The toads managed to retain posession of the torpedo two times from different Yellowtail defenders. The toads displayed impressive teamwork, kept their eyes open and fed the torpedo to their teamate at the last second, resulting in a goal on their end. This battle illustrates why breath control is so important in UTL. The battle scrap in essence took place on the deck of the pool. Imagine having defenders restrain your movement at the bottom of the pool. This presents quite the mental and physical challenge. But with proper training you can learn to stay calm, regardless of the situation.

Sometimes coach be doing too much with the drills. @Deep End Fitness

This was an amazing and intense battle between the Toads (Austin, TX) in blue and Guapos (Charleston, SC) in yellow. The Toads managed to fight off the initial goal attempt, leading to a turnover based on pure grit, determination, and of course a touch of grip strength. Toad defenders even went as far as lying on the deck of the pool to fully block off the goal. This exchange also illustrated the importance of water confidence in UTL. Players must have the ability to relax, manage their heartrate, and navigate the chaos when they are under the surface being pummeled by multiple defenders. Fair play to the guapos for their final passing exchange. The passes were well-placed and well-timed allowing teamwork to quite literally, achieve the goal at the end. This was from our Pro Bracket, so of course we expect this level of action from our Pros. UTL also features a recreational and women’s bracket at tournaments. Follow for more exciting, UTL plays that will literally take your breath away. #underwatertorpedoleague

Sharks (Los Angeles, CA) vs. Dorados (Los Alamitos, CA, the sharks fought back with a clean goal, displaying respectable teamwork and managing the move the torpedo out of the range of defenders at the last second. This is a good example of why teamwork is huge in UTL. When the individual falls short, the team can pick up the slack to get the job done. Respect to both teams for an awesome battle on both sides of the torpedo. #underwater #waterpolo #wrestling #underwatertorpedoleague #aquatics

Sharks (Los Angeles, CA) vs. Dorados (Los Alamitos, CA) battle it out in the frenzy. The sharks showed some impressive defensive tenacity with some players even resorting to using their legs as a control mechanism! Ultimately, the Dorados managed to get the job done by scoring the goal with some impressive last minute teamwork and awareness. #swimming #pool #waterpolo #freediving #surfing