Water polo what is it

Possession of the ball was limited to 45 seconds before a scoring attempt. Time of penalties and possession have been reduced since then. The direct shot on goal from the seven 7 meter line after a free throw was allowed in , and changed to a five meter throw in There are six field player positions and a goalkeeper on each team. Unlike most common team sports, there is not any positional play; field players often will fill several positions throughout the game as situations demand.

Players who are skilled at several offensive or defensive roles are called utility players. Certain body types are more suited for particular positions, and left-handed players are especially coveted, allowing teams to launch 2-sided attacks. The offensive positions include: 1 center a. The wings, drivers and point are often called the perimeter players. The most basic positional set up is known as a , due to the fact that there are two lines both containing 3 players.

The center forward, known by players as hole set or 2-meter is the center player in the middle of the umbrella who is closest to the opposing teams goal. The five perimeter players often swim the most and interchange their positions several times during a single offensive play. They contribute to the actual execution of plays, and cumulatively score the most points for the team. Not all water polo rules are the same.

For example, overtime is different on the international level and in college. In FINA international rules, if the score is tied at the end of regulation play, two overtime periods of three minutes each are played. If the tie is not broken after two overtime periods, a penalty shootout will determine the winner, much like in hockey. Five players and a goalkeeper are chosen by the coaches of each team.

Players shoot from the 5 meter line alternately at either end of the pool in turn until all five have taken a shot. If the score is still tied, the same players shoot alternately until one team misses and the other scores.

Differing from FINA rules, overtime in American college varsity water polo play is sudden victory, first team to score wins, after the two three minute overtime periods. There are no shootouts, the overtimes simply continue until a team scores. The objective of the sport is to score as much goal as possible in order to win the match.

Players and goalies use caps of different colours to differentiate themselves from each other. This sport, which demands the superiority of fitness and swimming skills can be dated back to 19th century when its origin took place in England and Scotland.

Earlier days swimming and water racing competitions were dominating everywhere. Soon after getting popularity, it was introduced for the first time in Olympics in the year William Wilson , from Great Britain is the maker of the rules of water polo. In Arlington bath club, he was the first bath master. Water polo matches have two referees with one stood on either side of the pool. The referees are in control of the game and are the only officials who can award fouls.

Click here to find out more about fouls and the physicality of water polo. In senior water polo and most junior games, water polo teams consist of 13 players. Each team is allowed to have seven in the water at one time — six outfield players and one goalkeeper. Except for the goalkeeper, players move continuously around the pool during a game. Most teams structure their outfield players with one centre back, one centre forward, two drivers and two wingers. Click here to find out more about water polo positions.

Water polo players need remarkable stamina because of the considerable amount of holding and pushing that occurs during the game. Players can be substituted in and out of the game at any time although the goalkeeper can only be replaced by the substitute goalkeeper and the outfield players by designated outfield substitutes.

However, because the clock is stopped when the ball is not in play, the average quarter lasts around 12 minutes.