Water Polo

WATER POLO, a game which has done much to advance swimming in popular favour and to improve the stamina of swimmers. It is played either in a bath or open water, the teams consisting of seven on a side. The field of play must not exceed 3oyd. or be less than 19yd. in length and the width must not be more than 2Oyd. The ball used must be round and fully in flated and must not measure less than 261, nor more than 28in. in circumference. It must be waterproof, with no strapped seams outside and no grease or other objectionable substance placed on it. The goals must be 'oft. in width, with a cross-bar 3ft. above the surface when the water is 5ft. or over in depth, and 8f t.

from the bottom when the water is less than 5f t. in depth ; in no case must the water in which a game is played be less than 3ft. Goal nets are used in all important matches. The duration of a match is supposed to be 14 minutes, seven minutes each way. The officials consist of a referee, a timekeeper and two goal scorers, the first-named official starting the game by throwing the ball into the centre of the bath. The counting point of the game, called a goal, is scored by the entire ball passing between the goal-posts and under the cross-bar.

The players have to place themselves in a line with their respec tive goals, and are not allowed to start swimming to the centre of the bath until the word "Go" is given. They are usually divided into 3 forwards, I half-back, 2 backs and a goalkeeper. To the fastest swimmer is usually assigned the place of centre-forward and it is his duty to make all headway possible so as to reach the ball before the opposing forward of the other side, then pass rapidly back to the half or one of the backs and swim on to within close proximity of the opponent's goal and wait for a pass. The other forwards should rapidly follow him up and each man carefully shadow one of the opposing side. In handling the ball only one hand may be used, for to touch the ball with both hands at the same time constitutes a foul, as also does the holding of the rail or the side, during any part of the game, the standing on or touching of the bottom of the bath except for the purpose of resting; interfering or impeding an opponent in any way, unless he be holding the ball ; holding the ball under water when tackled.

jumping from the bottom or pushing off from the side (except at starting or restarting) in order to play the ball or duck an oppo nent, holding, pulling back or pushing off from an opponent, turn ing on the back to kick at an opponent, assisting a player at the start or restart to get a good push off, throwing the ball at the goal keeper from a free throw or refusing to play the ball at the com mand of the referee of ter a foul or when the ball has been out of the field of play. Dribbling or striking the ball is held to be not holding, but lifting, carrying, pressing under water or plac ing the hand under or over the ball when actually touching, is holding ; dribbling up the bath and through the posts is permissible.

There is a penalty area, 4yds. from each goal-post and the imagi nary line across the bath is not allowed to be passed by the respec tive goalkeepers, otherwise they commit a foul. They may stand to defend their goal, touch the ball with both hands or jump from the bottom to play the ball, but in all other respects the same rules as to fouls apply to them as to other players. In any case they are not allowed to throw the ball beyond half-distance. If they do so the opposing side is awarded a free throw. For fouls which the referee considers to have been committed wilfully there are very severe penalties and those guilty of them are ordered out of the water until a goal has been scored, thus for the time being crippling the side. Deliberately wasting time, starting before the word "Go," taking up a position within 2yds. of the opponent's goal, changing position after the whistle has blown for a free throw or other similar stoppage of play, or deliberately splashing an opponent in the face, are all held to be wilful fouls. Whenever the whistle blows for fouls the players have to remain in their respective places until the ball has left the hand of the player to whom the free throw was awarded. A player who has been wil fully fouled within 4yd. of his opponent's goal line is given a penalty throw and the consequence is that a close match is often won by reason of a player deliberately breaking the rules when his goal is hotly assailed. In ordinary fouls the ball must touch another player before a goal can be scored, but in penalty throws it need not. Any player throwing the ball over his own goal line concedes a corner throw to the other side, but if an opposing player sends it over it is a free throw for the goalkeeper. After each goal is scored the players return to their respective ends, waiting for the word "Go," and at half-time they are allowed a rest of three minutes, during which they leave the water. Fouls, half-time and time are declared by whistle and goals by bell. The game requires practice of smart and scientific pass ing, side and back-handed throws and accurate shooting. For this purpose "throwing the water-polo ball" contests are commonly held by the leading clubs, who also conduct competitions on points for shooting at goal.

The game has become popular in many European countries, and friendly matches between English and continental clubs are frequently played. It has extended to all parts of the world since the British rules have been adopted for the Olympic games.

(W. HE.) See the Amateur Swimming Association's Handbook for rules of the game and instructions to referees.

United States.

The rules are similar to the British rules, excepting that the United States has added two umpires, besides having a referee and two goal judges.

See Spalding's N.C.A.A. Official Rules for Water Polo and Water Soccer.