Advertisement
Advertisement
water polo
noun
- an aquatic game played by two teams of seven swimmers each, the object being to score goals by pushing, carrying, or passing an inflated ball and tossing it into the opponent's goal, defended by a goalkeeper.
water polo
noun
- a game played in water by two teams of seven swimmers in which each side tries to throw or propel an inflated ball into the opponents' goal
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of water polo1
Discover More
Example Sentences
Bucklew and Gallegos never returned to the district, but Burgess eventually returned to coaching water polo.
“This is eerily reminiscent of a similar debate in Coronado a few years ago over a fired water polo coach,” Johnson wrote.
A college water polo player with Olympic ambitions, Ueberroth had his nose broken five times during his career, and only allowed the cameras to shoot him from one side.
Other sports, such as men’s and women’s water polo, have earned spots in the Tokyo tournament but have not set their rosters.
Tokyo was scheduled to host test events in the coming weeks for diving, artistic swimming and water polo.
Did NBC inadvertently air an underwater flash during live coverage of a women's water polo game?
John Paul Getty, Jr. was married to Gail Harris, a former water polo champion.
Baseball, football, water polo—I can barely tell them apart.
Our water polo games were also a great feature here, the water being warm and enabling us easily to play out the games.
In the game of water polo, also, this method of swimming is practised a great deal.
Water polo has become one of the most popular and fascinating of all water sports.
From an open passing one water polo became one of close formations and fierce scrimmages.
There is a belief that a game similar to water polo was played by the ancients, but no actual proof of it has been found.
Advertisement
Discover More
More About Water Polo
What does water polo mean?
Water polo is a sport that involves two teams of swimmers competing to get a ball into the opposing team’s goal in order to score the most points. The game is played entirely in the water, requiring the players to tread water the entire time.
Water polo is an event at the Summer Olympic Games.
Water polo is typically played in a pool (or a roped-off area in a pool). Despite being in the water, the play area in water polo is called the field. Just as in soccer (football), there are goals at both ends. Games consist of four periods. Each team has seven players, including a goalkeeper.
Water polo rules
Players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool or hand on the sides. Players can hold the ball with one hand, “dribble” it by throwing it in front of them, or pass it to a teammate. Touching the ball with two hands is not allowed, with the exception of the goalkeeper. The ball is not allowed to be taken fully underwater.
Once a team has possession of the ball, they have 30 seconds to score a goal or possession of the ball transfers to the other team (much like how the shot clock works in basketball). Rules also govern what players are allowed to do when they are within a certain distance of the goal. Like in basketball and soccer, fouls are called for violations of the rules.
Example: Water polo is known for being a sport that requires great stamina.
Where does water polo come from?
The first records of the term water polo come from the late 1800s. The only real similarity between modern water polo and the sport known as polo is the objective: getting a ball into the opponents’ goal. However, an early version of the sport that became known as water polo involved players riding barrels in water and hitting the ball with sticks, similar to how polo players ride horses while hitting a ball with long-handled mallets.
Water polo originated in the U.K., where it was also once called football in the water because of its similarity to football (soccer). It was first included as an Olympic event in 1900. Women’s water polo was added as an Olympic event in 2000.
Did you know … ?
How is water polo used in real life?
Water polo is known for requiring endurance since players must swim and tread water for the entire game.
Good luck to men's water polo team today. Looking for 7th straight national championship. Running out of ring fingers. Fight on!
— Pat Haden (@ADHadenUSC) December 7, 2014
UCLA finishes 30-0 in water polo. Perfection.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) December 7, 2015
Men’s Water Polo takes down Pepperdine in a 11-8 victory! Next round for the MPSF Tournament is @ 4pm against UCLA! #GoBeach
— LBSU Athletics (@LBSUAthletics) November 20, 2015
Try using water polo!
True or False?
In water polo, players are allowed to hide the ball underwater.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse