Water Polo

Water polo is a team water sport. The game consists of 4 quarters in which the two teams attempt to score goals by throwing the ball into their opposition’s goal, with the team that scores the most goals winning the game. A team consists of 6 field players and one goalkeeper in the water at any one time. In addition to this, teams may have substitute players, including up to one substitute goalkeeper. Water polo is typically played in an all-deep pool, and players need considerable stamina and endurance to play the game. When it comes to water polo, there is one major difference, regarding the ball, between the 2007-08 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and the 2007-08 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules.

The Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) regulates Olympic water polo for both men and women. They keep things simple, by specifying only the most basic characteristics for the ball – it must be round and waterproof, without straps or greasy coverings. With women able compete in the Olympics beginning in 2000, a slightly smaller ball was introduced into the games.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules stipulate color, weight, size and number for the balls to be used in the sport of water polo. In addition, the ball must be waterproof and free of strappings and slippery coverings.