If you're looking for a way to cool off in the sweltering summer heat, why not take up a new water sport? Cable skiing and swimming are good fun (and good exercise), but the one water sport that's really taking off is water polo. Here are five fun facts about water polo you probably don't know.
1. It was the first team sport in the Olympics.1
It’s surprising given other team sports such as basketball and soccer receive way more television coverage and media attention these days. However, water polo has a long and illustrious history dating back to mid-nineteenth century England, originating as an aquatic version of rugby.2
2. It used to be a violent contact sport.
Sports historians describe early versions of water polo as underwater wrestling or boxing matches.2 Fortunately, although the game remains a contact sport, it’s a much gentler one these days. Modern referees do police the game vigilantly and 3 major fouls will result in the player being sent off.
3. Players never stop moving.
One reason why water polo is such a great aquatic sport is the need for players to tread water constantly. It’s considered a foul to touch the bottom or sides of the pool.2
4. You can only handle the ball with one hand.
To add to the game’s difficulty, all players besides the goalkeeper can only use one hand to handle the ball. Two-handed handling of the ball is considered a minor foul.1
5. There are penalty shootouts.
Penalty shootouts occur in the case of a tie after two 3-minute periods of overtime. Similarly to soccer, these shootouts tend to be nail-biting tests of the athletes’ marksmanship!
Sounds fascinating? Well, there’s never been a better time to try water polo. Make the most of this sunny weather and try out this great sport today!
Sources
- http://www.hkwaterpolo.com/home/about/. Viewed on 13 August 2018.
- https://www.hkasa.org.hk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=86&Itemid=195. Viewed on 13 August 2018.