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History of the GameWater polo can best be described as contact soccer in a pool, in which athletes use their arms, not their legs, to throw the ball through the opponent's goal. Each team has seven players in the pool at one time, including a goalie whose duties are the same as their soccer and hockey counterparts. They are the only players who may touch the bottom of the pool in defending the three-metre goal area. Goalies are also the only players who may touch the ball with both hands.Play begins with both teams lined up at opposite ends of the pool and the ball held in a ring at the centre of the pool or dropped from the side of the pool by the referee. Teams sprint to the centre in an attempt to gain the first possession. Players may move the ball by passing it through the air or across the water's surface to a teammate, or by carrying the ball while swimming or dribbling. This is similar to dribbling in basketball, except the ball floats on the water's surface as opposed to bouncing on the floor. Also, like basketball, there is a shot clock. Each team has 35 seconds to shoot the ball at the goal; if no shot is taken, a free throw is awarded to the opposing team. In addition, a game clock keeps track of the time left in each quarter of the contest. Play is extremely physical, and the top players are among the world's best-conditioned athletes, swimming constantly throughout each of the four seven-minute periods, all the while battling the opponent for possession of the ball. Most players are tall with a long reach, making it easier to receive and intercept passes, and many players begin their careers as competitive swimmers. Players stay afloat by using an eggbeater kick, which allows them to tread water and also rise up well above the surface to throw the ball or to defend. Fouls are very common in water polo, and the referee indicates a foul by blowing a whistle and holding out the appropriate hand signal. |
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