How To Play Water Polo
Want To Play Water Polo In Your Swimming Pool? Here's How You Do It!
Have you ever tried to play water polo in your fibreglass pool? What you should know about water polo is that this is a sport that comes with the royal stamp of approval. This is as the former Duke of Cambridge, now Prince of Wales, is a fan of the sport. He even played water polo during his university days, and played on the national level representing Scotland.
Water polo is a sport that combines both speed and strength. You'll also need to be good at teamwork if you want to excel at this sport. Regular players of water polo also need to maintain their fitness level, so they can play this game well. But what about enjoying a relaxing game of water polo at home with friends and family? How do you do that? Here's how you play water polo.
The Rules Of Water Polo
The essence of the game is this – there are goals situated at either end of the pool. The team that scores the most points by getting the ball through the goal, wins.
Players will not be able to touch the bottom of the pool while the game is ongoing. Instead, they will need to tread water. There’s a movement in water polo known as eggbeater. This movement is actually more efficient than simply treading water.
Players will be able to move the ball. They can do this by throwing the ball to their teammate, or by swimming and pushing the ball ahead of them at the same time. They are only allowed to touch the ball with one hand. The only exceptions to this rule are the goalkeepers. They can touch the ball with both hands.
Make sure to stretch before getting into the game with these exercises!
What Happens During A Water Polo Match?
At the start of the match, there is a swim-off. The ball will be released in the middle of the pool. Players on either team will need to stand near their goal lines. The first team that can reach the ball will have the first possession of the ball.
If a goal has been made, then the team that conceded will be allowed to resume the match by holding the ball. The players from both teams need to be on the side of their respective teams when the play resumes.
There are two referees in water polo matches. One of them stands on either side of the pool. It’s the referees that control the game. They are also the only officials who can award fouls.
For an informal match in your fibreglass pool, just having one person act as a referee could suffice. If you don’t have enough players, then you can skip having a referee altogether. But for official matches, two referees will be present.
Everybody loves a bit of friendly competition - especially the younger generation. Here's why swimming can be incredibly beneficial for the younger generation!
How Many Players On Each Side?
Usually, a water polo team consists of thirteen players on either side. At one time, each team can have up to seven players in the pool. This includes one goalkeeper as well as six outfielders. For a casual match at home, having five players on either side is enough.
But to really enjoy your water polo match, consider having at least seven players on both teams.
Other than the goalkeeper, the other players are allowed to move around the pool. Usually, teams tend to structure their outfield players such that one plays as a centre-back while another plays as a centre-forward. There are also two wingers as well as two drivers.
Those who play water polo need to have a lot of stamina. This is due to the considerable level of pushing and holding that happens in the games. The game is also a fast one and can feel rather draining as well. This is why, in official matches, teams come with substitutes. There are up to six substitutions that can be made per team, during the game. These include one goalkeeper and five outfield players.
It’s possible to substitute players at any time during the game. The exception to this is the goalkeeper. It’s only possible to replace the goalkeeper with a substitute goalkeeper.
There are three fixed times during which players can enter the match. These include:
At the intervals
After someone scores a goal
How Long Water Polo Matches Last
An official water polo match can be split into four quarters. Each quarter lasts around eight minutes. Note that when the ball isn’t in play, this clock is stopped. This means that on average, each quarter lasts around eighteen minutes.
Teams can only hold on to the ball for thirty seconds before they need to aim for the goal. If they haven’t managed to do this, then the ball will be passed on to the other team.
Here are some ways to customise the look of your fibreglass pool!
Playing Water Polo In Your Fibreglass Pool
Water polo is an exciting game that you can enjoy with your family and friends. You’ll need at least fourteen people to form the two teams needed to play this game, but that’s just for official matches.
You can play water polo with fewer players as well, say five on either team. As long as you follow the rules of the game, having only fewer players won't affect your enjoyment.
If you have an extra player to act as the referee, then they will be starting the game off for you. You can still enjoy water polo though, even if you don’t have a referee.
Water polo is a great game that you can enjoy with a large number of people. This is the perfect game for your next pool party.
Keep in mind, however, that these sorts of pool games can get a bit rowdy and having the pool area be safe. Check out our article on the importance of non skid base and non abrasive surfaces.
Conclusion
Water polo is a game that involves two teams trying to score points by ensuring the ball goes through their goal. Usually, each team has around seven players. This includes one goalkeeper and six outfield players.
Water polo is a game you can try playing with your friends and family, at your next pool party.
How To Play Water Polo
Want To Play Water Polo In Your Swimming Pool? Here's How You Do It!
Have you ever tried to play water polo in your fibreglass pool? What you should know about water polo is that this is a sport that comes with the royal stamp of approval. This is as the former Duke of Cambridge, now Prince of Wales, is a fan of the sport. He even played water polo during his university days, and played on the national level representing Scotland.
Water polo is a sport that combines both speed and strength. You'll also need to be good at teamwork if you want to excel at this sport. Regular players of water polo also need to maintain their fitness level, so they can play this game well. But what about enjoying a relaxing game of water polo at home with friends and family? How do you do that? Here's how you play water polo.
The Rules Of Water Polo
The essence of the game is this – there are goals situated at either end of the pool. The team that scores the most points by getting the ball through the goal, wins.
Players will not be able to touch the bottom of the pool while the game is ongoing. Instead, they will need to tread water. There’s a movement in water polo known as eggbeater. This movement is actually more efficient than simply treading water.
Players will be able to move the ball. They can do this by throwing the ball to their teammate, or by swimming and pushing the ball ahead of them at the same time. They are only allowed to touch the ball with one hand. The only exceptions to this rule are the goalkeepers. They can touch the ball with both hands.
Make sure to stretch before getting into the game with these exercises!
What Happens During A Water Polo Match?
At the start of the match, there is a swim-off. The ball will be released in the middle of the pool. Players on either team will need to stand near their goal lines. The first team that can reach the ball will have the first possession of the ball.
If a goal has been made, then the team that conceded will be allowed to resume the match by holding the ball. The players from both teams need to be on the side of their respective teams when the play resumes.
There are two referees in water polo matches. One of them stands on either side of the pool. It’s the referees that control the game. They are also the only officials who can award fouls.
For an informal match in your fibreglass pool, just having one person act as a referee could suffice. If you don’t have enough players, then you can skip having a referee altogether. But for official matches, two referees will be present.
Everybody loves a bit of friendly competition - especially the younger generation. Here's why swimming can be incredibly beneficial for the younger generation!
How Many Players On Each Side?
Usually, a water polo team consists of thirteen players on either side. At one time, each team can have up to seven players in the pool. This includes one goalkeeper as well as six outfielders. For a casual match at home, having five players on either side is enough.
But to really enjoy your water polo match, consider having at least seven players on both teams.
Other than the goalkeeper, the other players are allowed to move around the pool. Usually, teams tend to structure their outfield players such that one plays as a centre-back while another plays as a centre-forward. There are also two wingers as well as two drivers.
Those who play water polo need to have a lot of stamina. This is due to the considerable level of pushing and holding that happens in the games. The game is also a fast one and can feel rather draining as well. This is why, in official matches, teams come with substitutes. There are up to six substitutions that can be made per team, during the game. These include one goalkeeper and five outfield players.
It’s possible to substitute players at any time during the game. The exception to this is the goalkeeper. It’s only possible to replace the goalkeeper with a substitute goalkeeper.
There are three fixed times during which players can enter the match. These include:
At the intervals
After someone scores a goal
How Long Water Polo Matches Last
An official water polo match can be split into four quarters. Each quarter lasts around eight minutes. Note that when the ball isn’t in play, this clock is stopped. This means that on average, each quarter lasts around eighteen minutes.
Teams can only hold on to the ball for thirty seconds before they need to aim for the goal. If they haven’t managed to do this, then the ball will be passed on to the other team.
Here are some ways to customise the look of your fibreglass pool!
Playing Water Polo In Your Fibreglass Pool
Water polo is an exciting game that you can enjoy with your family and friends. You’ll need at least fourteen people to form the two teams needed to play this game, but that’s just for official matches.
You can play water polo with fewer players as well, say five on either team. As long as you follow the rules of the game, having only fewer players won't affect your enjoyment.
If you have an extra player to act as the referee, then they will be starting the game off for you. You can still enjoy water polo though, even if you don’t have a referee.
Water polo is a great game that you can enjoy with a large number of people. This is the perfect game for your next pool party.
Keep in mind, however, that these sorts of pool games can get a bit rowdy and having the pool area be safe. Check out our article on the importance of non skid base and non abrasive surfaces.
Conclusion
Water polo is a game that involves two teams trying to score points by ensuring the ball goes through their goal. Usually, each team has around seven players. This includes one goalkeeper and six outfield players.
Water polo is a game you can try playing with your friends and family, at your next pool party.