It is played in the water which makes it difficult for the two referees to see exactly what is going on.
Water polo is like a combination of football, basketball, ice hockey and rugby, played in a deep pool 30x20 meters (slightly smaller for women). You can learn about Water Polo very quickly if you appreciate the similarities between it and the above games. However it is the unique characteristics of the game that makes water polo so interesting.
What's so different about Water Polo |
It is played in the water which makes it difficult for the two referees to see exactly what is going on. |
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Players may use subtle pushes and holds to improve their positions. Whilst this may be totally foreign to most sports people, little push-offs and pull-pasts have been a part of water polo for so long that instructional books show how to get away with these moves! |
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On land or ice, it's easy to stand up, run or skate about and be part of the game. In the water, you float with just your nose and mouth above the waterline. |
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It requires tremendous physical effort for the players to lift themselves out of the water, and maintain a strong body position for passing and shooting. |
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Top players appear to lift themselves out of the water to almost the tops of their legs, with little effort. However this actually requires strong arms and legs, and throughout the game, endurance and stamina. |
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