Water Polo Info
Water polo is a team-based sport that is played in a pool and requires the ability to swim to play. There are six players on each team in waterpolo, and one goal keeper per team, making a total of seven players in play at a given time. There are a maximum of six substitutes per game and the winner of the game is the team that scores the most goals on the opposing player’s side. Waterpolo is played by swimming, passing of the game ball, and scoring goals by sending the ball past the goalie of the opposing team. Waterpolo has similar characteristics of sports that are played on land, such as soccer and hockey. It is currently the oldest team sport still played in the Olympics.
The Origin of Water Polo:
General Overview of Water Polo History:
Water polo initially began in England and Scotland as a demonstration to show exceptional strength and swimming techniques in the 19th century. During this time, England and Scotland had many water sports and racing exhibitions within their festivals as entertainment. As the popularity rose in water polo history, it began to receive more recognition and men’s water polo eventually became the first team-based sport to have competition in the Olympic Summer Games in 1900.
Since the early 20th century, water polo gained even more popularity around the world and is now played in many countries. European countries is where most of water polo’s popularity resides, in such countries as Hungary, Greece, Italy, Russia, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Other countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia all compete heavily in their own leagues and the Olympic Games.
Water Polo Info of its Origin:
A man named William Wilson developed the first rules of water polo in Great Britain. The game that it evolved into today originally started as a water-based rugby-type sport using a ball about 4 inches in diameter and made of rubber. Soon, water polo history evolved and the large soccer-like ball was developed to be used instead to increase the pace of play and make the game more exciting to spectators. It was not long before other countries outside of Great Britain began competing, such as Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Hungary and Italy using British rules.
Meanwhile, water polo history was developing differently in the United States. The game had different rules and a different ball used. As a result, no European teams competed in the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis. Eventually, the United States conformed to the standard British rules.
Water Polo Info of its Evolution:
Soon, as players became bigger and stronger and used new techniques, the rules and strategies began to evolve in water polo history. The “dry pass” was invented, a type of pass that sped up the game, allowing players to grab a ball out of the air instead of waiting for it to land in water.
In addition, the development of a new ball changed water polo history forever. Instead of using soccer balls, a new ball made of water-proof nylon and an easy-grip surface was invented, making the game faster and allowing more skillful plays.
