OVERVIEW OF THE GAME
In a water polo game, six players from each team are assigned to offensive and defensive roles (commonly known as "field players"), while one player per team is assigned to the goalkeeping role. The primary objective of the field players is to score goals and to prevent the other team from scoring against their own team's goalkeeper. The goalie's primary role is to stop shots from the opposing team going into his or her own goal.
Water polo game play includes swimming with and without the ball, passing both to a player's hand and onto the water, and shooting. Fouls are very common in the game of water polo. A foul affects the game play, since the victim of a minor or a major foul will have the advantage of a free throw, while the victim of a penalty foul will have the opportunity of a five-meter shot against the opposing team's goalkeeper.
Players can move the water polo ball by either throwing it to one of their teammates or by swimming with the ball in front of them. Players are not allowed to push the ball underwater in order to keep it from an opponent, or push or hold an opposing player unless that player is holding the ball. However, if a player does push the ball underwater when it is in their possession, it will result in an automatic turnover.Water polo is an aggressive sport, so fouls are very common. If a foul occurs outside the 5 meter line, the player has the option to shoot, pass or continue swimming with the ball. Water polo players require a lot of stamina because of the considerable amount of holding and pushing that occurs between players during the game.
Water polo is a game which requires excellent hand-eye coordination. Passes thrown between field players are preferably "dry passes" (meaning the ball does not touch the water), which allows for optimal speed when passing from player to player. A "wet pass" is a deliberate pass into the water, just out of reach of the hole set and his/her defender. The hole-set is then able to lunge towards the ball and out of the water to make a shot or pass. The only player who is allowed to use both hands, at any time, with the ball is the goalkeeper. Field players who touch the ball with both of their hands will cause a turnover.
Water polo game play includes swimming with and without the ball, passing both to a player's hand and onto the water, and shooting. Fouls are very common in the game of water polo. A foul affects the game play, since the victim of a minor or a major foul will have the advantage of a free throw, while the victim of a penalty foul will have the opportunity of a five-meter shot against the opposing team's goalkeeper.
Players can move the water polo ball by either throwing it to one of their teammates or by swimming with the ball in front of them. Players are not allowed to push the ball underwater in order to keep it from an opponent, or push or hold an opposing player unless that player is holding the ball. However, if a player does push the ball underwater when it is in their possession, it will result in an automatic turnover.Water polo is an aggressive sport, so fouls are very common. If a foul occurs outside the 5 meter line, the player has the option to shoot, pass or continue swimming with the ball. Water polo players require a lot of stamina because of the considerable amount of holding and pushing that occurs between players during the game.
Water polo is a game which requires excellent hand-eye coordination. Passes thrown between field players are preferably "dry passes" (meaning the ball does not touch the water), which allows for optimal speed when passing from player to player. A "wet pass" is a deliberate pass into the water, just out of reach of the hole set and his/her defender. The hole-set is then able to lunge towards the ball and out of the water to make a shot or pass. The only player who is allowed to use both hands, at any time, with the ball is the goalkeeper. Field players who touch the ball with both of their hands will cause a turnover.
