Water polo
Team sport played in water with seven players per side.
Water polo is a team sport played in a deep pool where players cannot touch the bottom. Two teams of seven players each—six field players and one goalkeeper—compete over four quarters. The objective is to score more goals than the opponent by throwing a floating ball into the opposing goal. Field players switch between offense and defense as needed. The game involves swimming, treading water (often using the eggbeater kick), passing, and shooting. Teamwork, tactical thinking, and awareness are essential. It is considered one of the most physically demanding sports.
Special equipment includes a water polo ball (which floats and comes in various colors), numbered and colored caps, and two goals that either float or attach to the pool sides.
The sport originated in England and Scotland in the mid-19th century. William Wilson is credited with developing it in the 1870s as a form of "water rugby." The London Water Polo League helped formalize the game, which later spread to parts of Europe, the United States, China, Canada, and Australia.
**History** Water polo began as a demonstration of strength and swimming at county fairs and festivals in mid-19th century England and Scotland. Men's water polo was among the first team sports introduced at the modern Olympic Games in 1900. Today, teams have seven players (plus up to six substitutes), and the ball is similar in size to a soccer ball but made of airtight nylon. An early recorded exhibition took place at the 4th Open Air Fete of the London Swimming Club at the Crystal Palace on 15 September 1873. Another precursor was a water "handball" game played at Bournemouth on 13 July 1876, involving 12 members of the Premier Rowing Club, with goals marked by flags. The game lasted 15 minutes until the ball burst. William Wilson, the first Baths Master of the Arlington Baths Club in Glasgow, developed the rules in the late 19th century. Early "aquatic football" at the Arlington used an India rubber ball. This "water rugby" became known as "water polo," derived from the Balti word for ball, *pulu*. Early play allowed brute strength, wrestling, and holding opponents underwater to recover the ball. The goalie originally stood outside the playing area and defended by jumping in to prevent opponents from placing the ball on the deck.
**Geography** Water polo is popular in many countries, especially in Europe (Spain, Fran
- origin
- England and Scotland, mid-19th century
Quick Facts
- Union
- World Aquatics
- Nickname
- Polo, wopo, waterfootball, poolball
- First
- 19th century, Scotland
- Firstlabel
- Created
- Region
- Worldwide
- Contact
- Full-contact
- Team
- 7 per side (6 field players and 1 goalkeeper)
- Mgender
- Separate competitions
- Category
- Aquatic sport, team sport, ball sport
- Equipment
- Water polo ball, water polo goal, water polo cap
- Venue
- Water polo pool
- Glossary
- Glossary of water polo
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The history of water polo as a team sport began as a demonstration of strength and swimming skill in mid-19th century England and Scotland. One of the earliest recorded viewings was at the 4th Open Air Fete of the London Swimming Club on 15 September 1873. Another antecedent was a game of water 'handball' played at Bournemouth on 13 July 1876 between 12 members of the Premier Rowing Club. The rules were originally developed in the late nineteenth century in Great Britain by William Wilson, believed to be the First Baths Master of the Arlington Baths Club in Glasgow. The first games of 'aquatic football' were played there with a ball constructed of India rubber.
Reader's Guide
Water polo is significant as one of the first team sports introduced at the modern Olympic games in 1900. It has since expanded globally, becoming popular in parts of Europe, the United States, China, Canada, and Australia. The game involves specialized positions including center forward, wings, drivers, and a goalkeeper, with players often filling multiple roles. The sport is governed by organizations such as World Aquatics, European Aquatics, NCAA, NFHS, and the IOC. Its rules cover play, procedures, equipment, and officiating, with slight regional variations. The game is known for its physical demands, requiring swimming, treading water (especially the eggbeater kick), passing, and shooting. Teamwork, tactical thinking, and awareness are highly important. Special equipment includes a floating water polo ball, numbered and coloured caps, and two goals that either float or attach to pool sides.
Did You Know?
- The game is thought to have originated in Scotland in the mid-19th century, specifically developed by William Wilson in the 1870s as a sort of 'water rugby'.
- One of the earliest recorded viewings was at the 4th Open Air Fete of the London Swimming Club on 15 September 1873.
- The name 'water polo' is based on the English pronunciation of the Balti word for ball, pulu.
- The goalkeeper is allowed to punch the ball with a clenched fist and touch it with two hands, but only within the five-meter area.
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