Swimming has many benefits. It is a low-impact physical activity that exercises the entire body. While your muscles are getting a good workout, your cardiovascular system is, too. Swimming makes your heart and lungs strong.Swimming is accessible for people of varying fitness levels and can be beneficial for people with injuries or mobility issues.
Of course, swimming isn’t the only activity at the pool. If swimming laps or splashing around doesn’t grab your attention, maybe water polo is the sport for you. Based on the game polo, which is played on land and on horseback, the goal of water polo is to score points against the opposing team. Each team has six field players (players who handle the ball and try to score) and one goalkeeper.
Water Polo Sask outlines the rules of water polo here:
- If you have the ball you cannot use your free hand to push attackers way or it is a turnover. (This means the other team is given the ball)
- You cannot touch the ball with two hands unless you are the goalie. The goalie can touch the ball with two hands up to the 4-meter line.
- If you are chasing an opponent on a breakaway you cannot pull his legs or shoulders. (This is called impeding a breakaway and is a major foul)
- Your team has 30 seconds to shoot or the ball will be turned over.
- Do not hit the ball with a fist. (Bad idea)
- You cannot intentionally splash your opponent. This means that you cannot be mean and splash you opponents face when he is going to make a pass or shot. If you accidentally splash your opponent, then that is OK.
- You cannot pass the 2-meter line before the ball does. (Like the blue line in hockey)
- If you have just been fouled, then you cannot shoot. You can shoot once you have passed to someone and they pass back
- If you put the ball underwater, then the referee will call a turnover foul.
- You cannot push someone under the water if they do not have the ball. (This is a minor foul which means the referee will stop the play and give the ball to the player that got pushed underwater)
- The game is composed of 4 quarters of 8 minutes.
- When a goal is scored, teams line up at center and possession of ball is given to the non-scoring team. Pass the ball back towards your own net to start play. (Usually the goalie)
An exciting thing about water polo is that it can be played indoors. Although it may seem like a summer-exclusive sport because it is played in a pool, the fact is that there are indoor pools that are open year-round. And, there is probably a water polo club in your city where you can play the sport no matter your level—beginner, novice, or experience player!