Water Polo Notes
(Sports and Recreational Activities: 10th Edition)
Mood, Musker, Rink

History
Bored with conventional swimming races a group of British athletes during the 1860s created a new type of game. Originally played with 11 players per side and rafts as goals, waterpolo has undergone a number of changes to the present. Today it ranks as one of the most demanding of all aquatic sports.

Water Polo in the US
Of the 30 sports on the Olympic agenda, the United States Olympic Development Committee rated water polo as the third fastest growing sport.

Start of the 20th century
United States promoted a game called "softball" water polo
In this game the ball could be taken underwater, and much of the action occurred under water.
"This game attracted few spectators because no one could see what was happening under water"

Equipment
Teams must wear caps
Home team colored caps, Away team white caps (Goalies different color caps from other players)

Number of players (playing @ one time)
Playing is done on the surface of the water with 7 players.

Playing Dimesions
30m (100feet) by 25m (75feet)
Depth of water ideally 6 1/2 feet (some dispensation due to shallow ends of pools)

Goalposts
3m apart (10 feet)
crossbar 3 feet (0.914m) above surface
Depth of goal 18 inches (46cm)

What the goalie can do other players can't do
Jump from the bottom of the pool (6 1/2 feet)
Catch and pass the ball with both hands (must be inside 4 foot line)
Hit the ball with a clenched fist.

Playing time
4 x 7 minute quarters

Game starts
The game is started with a blast of the whistle by the referee, who then drops or throws the ball at the halfway line into the lane closest the referee.


Fouls

TECHNICAL FOULS
1. Starting before the referee blows the whistle to begin the quarter
2. Holding onto or pushing off from the sides of the pool during play
3. Taking of hlding the ball underwater when "tackled" by an opposing player (tackled meaning to have made body contact)
4. Swimming inside the opposing team's 2 yard (2m) line unless preceeded by the ball
5. Touching the ball wiht both hands at the same time (goalkeeper excepted)
6. Standing on, walking on, or jumping from the bottom of the pool when taking an active part in the game (goalkeeper excepted)


PERSONAL FOULS
1. Pulling back a player who does not have the ball
2. Any penalty shot foul
3. Interfering with a free throw
4. Entering the water incorrectly
5. A dead-time technical foul.


PENALTY SHOT
1. When an offensive player inside the opponent's 4 yard (4m) line but not touching the ball is held, ducked, pulled back, kicked, or struck, &
2. a player other than the goalie uses two hands to block a shot.
3. A penalty shot is taken from the 4m line. At the whistle the shooter must shoot without delay and without faking at the goal.


Water Polo Drills
1. High arm action front crawl.
2. Dribbling the ball with high action front crawl
3. Passing the ball
4. Passing the ball while treading water
5. Long Pass
6. Catching and shooting the ball

Types of Shots
1. Power shot
2. Bounce shot
3. Lob shot
4. Pop shot - Bat ball and hit


Passing Drills
· Circle Drill (5-7 players)
· Keep away drill.
· 3 player passing drill & shot

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URL: http://www.csulb.edu/~emyrw/T3/lessons/Waterpolo.html

Last updated: 11/10/97