by Aaron Morgan

Created on: July 02, 2008   Last Updated: September 30, 2008

Are you competitive? Do you love swimming? Are you up for a challenge? If you answered yes to those three questions, water polo may be a game you'd really enjoy. Read on to find out more...

NECESSARY SKILLS

Water polo is a very fun and competitive game between two teams, however it is not easy to play by any means. It is imperative that you are comfortable in deep water, are physically fit, and have an above average to excellent swimming ability to most effectively compete as the game is played in deep water where players are unable to touch the bottom of the pool. Players must feel comfortable treading water, performing the front crawl stroke with their head out of the water, and a modified back stroke where players are sitting nearly upright in the water.

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

To play a game of water polo, you need a swimming pool (usually 30M, but this can vary), two teams of six players plus a goal keeper, a water polo ball (a ball that resembles a volleyball in appearance, but is waterproof, able to float on the water, and has a special texture that prevents it from slipping out of players' hands), and two goals (either on two sides of the pool or in the pool on floaters. It is also recommended that players where swim suits that are close fitting without loose material on them and that each player wears a special water polo cap to protect their head during game play. There are special rules regarding equipment in competitive college and Olympic play.

POSITIONS

Players on both teams play both offense and defense and will have to switch between the two frequently with little notice during game play. Players do not just play one position in a game, but rather play several different positions during each game as game play dictates. Offensive positions are the following: 1 point, 2 drivers, 2 wings, and 1 center. Defensive positions are relatively the same, just reversed. The goalie can never cross the center line of the pool, and generally stays within close proximity to the goal as the direction of play can and often changes rapidly.

GAME PLAY

To start a game of water polo, each team lines up on their own goal line, with three players on each side of the goal and the goalie in the goal. At the sound of the referee's whistle, both teams swim to the center line of the pool. The first team to come up with possession of the ball starts out on offense, with the other team playing defense. The object of the game is to advance the ball towards the goal, and score goals.

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