Water Polo

Submitted by: Moses Gonzales

Submitted to: Mr. Bernardo Delos Santos
Water Polo is a competitive team sport played in water between two teams of 7 players each. The
game consists of four quarters in which the two teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball
into the opposing team's goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins the
match. Each team is made up of six field players and one goalkeeper. Excluding the goalkeeper,
players participate in both offensive and defensive roles. Water polo is typically played in an all-
deep pool so that players cannot touch the bottom. A game of water polo mainly consists of the
players swimming to move about the pool, treading water (mainly using the eggbeater kick),
passing the ball, and shooting at the goal. Teamwork, tactical thinking and awareness are also
highly important aspects in a game of water polo. Water polo is a highly physical and demanding
sport and has frequently been cited as one of the most difficult sports to play. Special equipment
for water polo includes a water polo ball, a ball of varying colors which floats on the water;
numbered and coloured caps; and two goals, which either float in the water or are attached to the
sides of the pool The game is thought to have originated in Scotland in the mid-19th century as a
sort of "water rugby". William Wilson is thought to have developed the game in 1870s. The
game thus developed with the formation of the London Water Polo League and has since
expanded, becoming popular in parts of Europe, the United States, Brazil, China, Canada and
Australia
HISTORY OF THE GAME OF WATER POLO
Water Polo began as a sport sometime in the 19th century in England, although the early
versions of the activity bear little resemblance to the modern day version played today. The
origins of water polo are obscure to say the least but we do know that the word “polo” is the
English pronunciation of the Indian word “pulu,” that means ball. Just as the ball game that is
played on horseback became known as “polo,” the ball game played in the water became known
as “water polo,” the name is the only connection between the sports. The game of water polo was
first played in the United States in 1888. It featured the old rugby style of play which looked like
American football in the water. “American style” water polo became very popular and by the late
1890’s was played in such places as Madison Square Garden and Boston’s Mechanics Hall,
attracting 14,000 spectators to the big national championship games. It is believed that British
holiday resort owners invented this rather strange pastime during the mid-1800s, in an attempt to
attract guests. The first games were played on nearby rivers and lakes, and the game’s passing
similarity to horseback polo gave it the name “water polo.” By 1869, a rubber ball had began to
replace the original ball which was made from a pig’s stomach. In 1870 the London Swimming
Club formulated rules for the sport and hosted the first official game at the Crystal Palace Plunge
in London. Games resembled rugby on the water, and were based more on brute strength than
athletic skill. Underwater wrestling would leave some players barely conscious when they
managed to get to the surface. A common ploy players used was to place the small ball in their
swimming trunks and swim underwater towards the goal, where they would score by removing
the ball and slamming it onto the pool deck. In 1880, rules were introduced in Scotland to shift
the game’s focus to skill over force. A bigger ball, similar to a soccer ball, was used, nets were
introduced and players could no longer tackle opponents who did not have possession of the ball.
The same rules still apply to today’s game. The game that evolved into contemporary water polo
started off as an adaptation of rugby played in lakes and rivers; the object of the game was to
“carry” the ball to the opponent’s side. The Scottish rules were adopted throughout Great Britain,
and the game quickly caught on in countries like Hungary, Belgium, Germany, Austria and
France, which began playing the sport in the late 1800s. In 1888, Water polo was introduced into

1
the United States by English swimming instructor John Robinson. The game featured the old
rugby style of play which was much like gridiron football in the water. “American style” water
polo became very popular and by the late 1890’s was played in such venues as the Boston’s
Mechanics Hall and Madison Square Garden. The game of the day featured set plays like the
“flying salmon,” where the player with the ball leapt through the air from the backs of his
teammates to score a goal. Violence was the game’s main attraction. As the sport grew in
popularity, so did its level of violence, with little rules to prevent it. In the 1800’s the intent of
the game was to place the ball with two hands against the wall at one end of the pool to score.
Players often swam underwater in an attempt to gain an advantage, only to be attacked by their
defenders in the same manner. In addition to the aggressive play, many of the pools and lakes in
which it was played were often poorly filtered and very murky, creating even more mystery
regarding the actions that took place beneath the surface. It was not uncommon for players to be
dragged from the water unconscious. This may have added to the popularity, with crowds as
many as 14,000 attending some games in New York City. In fact, its popularity was so great it
was named the first Olympic team sport in 1900. Interestingly enough, women’s water polo was
the last Olympic team sport to be added in 2000. Meanwhile, the rest of the world adopted the
Scottish rules: Hungary in 1889, Belgium in 1900, Austria and Germany in 1894 and France in
1895. By 1900, water polo was so popular it became the first team sport added to the Olympic
Games program and has remained an Olympic sport ever since. Great Britain won gold at each
of the first four Olympic Games. In 1911, the Federation International de Natation Amateur
(FINA), the international governing body for all amateur water sports, adopted the Scottish rules
for all international water polo events. United States continued to play by their own rules until
1912, when, instead of playing their semi-final game in the National Championship tournament,
the New York Athletic Club and the Chicago Athletic Association chose to fight instead. The
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) cancelled its sponsorship of water polo until 1914 when United
States clubs finally agreed to play under the more civilized international rules. Over the years the
game has evolved to more of a soccer style in which an opponent could only make contact if a
player held the ball. In addition, the evolution of swimming changed the game from brute
strength underwater to one of passing and speed above the surface. Women were not allowed to
compete at the Olympics until the 2000 Games in Sydney, where Australia won the gold medal,
the United States took the silver, and the bronze went to Russia. The first Water Polo World Cup
for women was held by FINA (the sport’s governing body) in 1979, and the first World
Championships took place in 1986.
BASIC RULES:

 6 “Field” Players and 1 Goalie start the game. Teams consist of up to 15 players.
 Field players must pass, catch, and shoot with only 1 hand. Goalies may use 2 hands.
 Taking the ball under water when guarded is a turnover.
 The official playing field is at least 25 yards long, 20 yards wide, and 7 feet deep.
 Players may not touch the bottom or hang on the wall.
 Games consist of 4 quarters and typically last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
 There is a 30 second shot clock per possession.
 Minor fouls occur frequently and result in a free pass. There is no limit to minor fouls.
 After 3 major fouls (ejections), a player may not return to the game.

2
 Six “field players” swim, tread, pass and shoot in an attempt to score into a goal defended by
a goalie. Basic water polo strategy is similar to basketball and soccer. Players anticipate a shot or
turnover and counter-attack begins. The ball is advanced through dribbling or passing and proper
spacing must be maintained. Once in a half- court, five perimeter players set up a semi-circle (or
umbrella) around the center position (or hole set) who wrestles to maintain position on the 2-
meter line, usually with his back to the goal. Perimeter players can pass, drive, set picks, and
shoot. Once the center (a.k.a. hole set or 2-meter position), receives the ball, he or she must
overpower his or her defender for a shot or earn an ejection in the process. Defenses play man-
to-man, zone, or a combination of both. Positions in the pool are identified by names and
numbers, listed in the diagram below.
Olympic and collegiate pool size is 30 meters x 20 meters. A typical age group pool size is
25 meters x 6 lanes. Three colored markers define the water polo course. Red markers indicate
the 2-meter line. An o ensive player without the ball will be whistled o sides if found “inside” the
red marker unless a teammate has advanced the ball inside the 2-meter line at the same time
(a.k.a. 2-meter violation) Yellow markers indicate the 5-meter line. If an o ensive player is
fouled behind the yellow marker, he/she may shoot immediately (no faking or hesitating) or take
a free pass. If an o ensive player is fouled inside the yellow marker, he/ she must take a free pass.
White markers indicate mid-pool. After a goal, play re-starts at mid-pool. Goalies cannot cross
the white marker.
Most ordinary fouls take place around the ball. After a minor foul, a member of the fouled
team must put the ball in play by taking a free throw. The most common ordinary foul occurs
when a defender reaches over their opponent and makes bodily contact when trying to steal or
reach for the ball. Players in possession of the ball will often attempt to “draw” a foul in order
earn a free pass. To draw a foul, the o ensive player must let go of the ball and show the referee
that he/she is being held while keeping his/her head above water. O ensive fouls occur when an
attacker pushes o a defender to provide space for a pass or shot, touches the ball with 2 hands,
takes the ball under water, or goes inside the 2 meter line without the ball. A delay of the game
can also result in a minor foul.
The most common major foul occurs when a defensive player holds, sinks, or pulls back an
attacking offensive player before he or she can possess the ball. Other major fouls include
interfering with a free pass, kicking/striking an opposing player, or talking back to the official.
Ejections result in the player being excluded for 20 seconds, causing his/her team to be
temporarily down a player (man-down). Another common major foul is a penalty foul. A Penalty
foul occurs when a defensive player that prevents a probable score by committing a foul within
5m of the goal that. After a penalty foul, the o ensive team is awarded a penalty shot from 5M
out. If a player commits three major fouls, they must sit out the remainder of the game. Please
note that officiating is subjective and open to interpretation by the referees.
The referee may refrain from declaring a foul, if in his judgment this would give an
advantage to the offender’s team. The referees will not declare an ordinary foul when there is
still a possibility to play the ball. A player with their hand on top of the ball will rarely be
awarded an ordinary foul for this reason. The referees shall apply this principle to the fullest
extent and must allow the offensive player every opportunity to “legally” overpower their
opponent in an attempt to score. Similar to soccer, continuation of “advantage” by the attacking

3
player should NOT be taken away by a called foul or stoppage of play. However, any foul that
endangers a player’s safety, especially a foul around a player’s head and neck, should be called.
WATER POLO EQUIPMENT
Little player equipment is needed to play water polo. Items required in water polo include:

 Ball: A water polo ball is constructed of waterproof material to allow it to float on the
water. The cover is textured to give players additional grip. The size of the ball is
different for men's, women's and junior games.
 Caps: A water polo cap is used to protect the players' heads and ears, and to make
them identifiable from afar. Home team field players wear numbered dark-colored
caps; Visiting team field players wear numbered white caps. Both starting
goalkeepers wear red caps (sometimes quartered), numbered "1" (substitute goalies'
caps are numbered either "13" for FINA international play or "15" for NCAA play)
Caps are fitted with ear protectors.
 Goals: Two goals are needed in order to play water polo. These can either be put on
the side of the pool, or in the pool using floaters.
 Mouth guard: A mouth guard is not mandatory in most tournaments, but is
recommended.
 Swimwear: Male water polo players wear either swim briefs or jammers (thigh-length
trunks). Female players must wear a one-piece swimsuit. Suit-grabbing fouls are
common, so players often wear tight-fitting suits, and may layer on several suits at a
time for additional security. Many swimwear labels also sell specialized water polo
suits that feature reinforced stitching and tougher fabric. Female water polo suits are
generally one-piece outfits which do not have open backs, but zip securely up the
back so as to not have straps that can be easily grabbed.
MAJOR COMPETITIONS
Summer Olympics
Men's water polo at the Olympics was the first team sport introduced at the 1900 games,
along with cricket, rugby, football, polo (with horses), rowing and tug of war.Women's water
polo became an Olympic sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games after political protests from
the Australian women's team. One of the most historically known matches often referred to as
the Blood in the Water match, was a 1956 Summer Olympics semi-final match between Hungary
and the Soviet Union, played in Melbourne. As the athletes left for the games, the Hungarian
revolution began, and the Soviet army crushed the uprising. The Hungarians defeated the Soviets
4–0 before the game was called off in the final minute to prevent angry Hungarians in the crowd
reacting to Valentin Prokopov punching Ervin Zador.
Other tournaments
Every 2 to 4 years since 1973, a men's Water Polo World Championship is organized
within the FINA World Aquatics Championships. Women's water polo was added in 1986. A
second tournament series, the FINA Water Polo World Cup, has been held every other year since
1979. In 2002, FINA organised the sport's first international league, the FINA Water Polo World

4
League. There is also a European Water Polo Championship that is held every other year.
Professional water polo is played in many Southern and Eastern European countries like Serbia,
Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Spain, etc. with the LEN Euroleague
tournament played amongst the best teams. There is also a World Club Water Polo Challenge