These posts can be fixed in position with bags of ballast, the ropes being fastened to each end of the goal-posts to keep them from swinging round. They should be thrown out as far as possible from each end. If a committee boat be available, it should be moored alongside the posts. When playing in the sea, particular notice should be taken as to the direction in which the tide is flowing, as the posts should be fixed athwart the tide, otherwise the play is all at one end, i.e. that towards which the tide is flowing. In baths the width of the. field of play is determined by the siie of the bath, varying from about 25 to 4o feet. The length must not be more than 3o yards, or less than 19 yards, the somewhat peculiar minimum being due to the fact that there are a number of baths in England only zo yards long. The posts are fixed not less than It foot from each end. In the longer baths the posts in the shallow end are often brought forward, so as to get the deeper water to play in, but the game is never so satisfactory from a swimming point of view in a bath as in open water. The goal-posts are generally made now of light galvanized-iron piping, with broad shoes to rest on the bottom of the bath. When they are fixed at the end of the bath, they are held in position by means of a clip bracket one foot long, the uprights resting on the bottom, and the bracket clipping them to the rail of the bath. The crossbar is adjusted with a thumbscrew and ring. When the posts have to be placed some distance up the bath away from the end, they have to be fixed in a similar manner to a horizontal bar, the attachments being made of cord and fixed to the rail or side of bath, boxes, or gallery. Another system, and perhaps more simple than any, is one by which the posts are lowered from the roof of the bath by means of pulley cords, and, being heavy, they keep in position.
A great improvement is that adopted by Surrey County, of fixing painted wood framework in front of the posts above the water level, so as to make the goal as clear as possible for the player.
The posts should not be painted of a dark colour, but striped red and white, or some other easily recognisable com bination of colours, because most games are played in artificial light, and it is difficult for the officials as well as the players to see the posts distinctly if not coloured- as recommended. Goal nets should always be used.
Careful attention should also be given to the caps worn by players, as in many instances club colours are so much alike that it is often quite impossible for spectators to distinguish the different players in a match who may not be personally known to them. In big matches the Amateur Swimming Association compel clubs to wear either blue or white caps, each bearing a distinctive number.
Two or three kinds of caps are used, but the most service able are those illustrated in this sketch. They are best made of turkey twill or similar cotton material, the side-flaps fitting over the ears, and the cap being laced, tied, or buttoned under the chin. They should be fastened securely, so as to avoid the possibility of their being pulled off during the game.
In consequence of the sudden changes of front which are necessary to good play, regular practice is important. It must not consist of the mere pitching of the ball. The arrange ment of friendly matches, or the selection of teams from among the members of one club, is a far more effectual method of gaining real practice and experience. A player who wishes to become an expert must devote a considerable time to the study of the niceties of the game, or else in big contests, where every man should be keenly working for the victory of his side, he will be worse than useless. During
the last few years, the game of water•polo has been far more scientifically played than it was at the outset, and the various alterations of the rules as here detailed have greatly tended towards this end, as they have been the means of introducing combined instead of loose play. The system prevalent up to 1888 was a mere exhibition of brute strength. Passing, punting, and dribbling the ball were scarcely ever practised, and, except in the case of the leading teams, rarely attempted.
Until the first international match was played, nearly every game was fought out on individual lines ; that is to say, the members of the teams considered that their sole duty, without regard to position, was the scoring of goals ; and very often this anxiety to spoil the combination of a side led to ludicrous defeats. Yet it must not be imagined that every player or every team did this. There were some that strictly played out their games on a sound system of combination ; and it was by reason of their victories that attention was called to many anomalies in the then code of laws. When England's picked seven met the Scots for the first time, the eyes of water-polo players were opened ; for the Scots, who were nearly all lightly built men, simply made an exhibition of their opponents, who during the game could not understand or in any way check mate the skilful passing and dribbling tactics of the victors. To the experience gained in the international match may there fore rightly be attributed the improvement in the game all round ; for though the Scots had made more rapid progress than their Southern brethren, they have also benefited largely by the innovation.
The general custom is to divide a team up as follows : Goal, two backs, half-back, centre forward, two forwards. The office of captain is, of course, a very important one. It is hardly necessary to say that he must be well versed not only in the rules of the game, but also those of the competition or competitions in which his club may at the time be contending. He should organise regular and frequent practices, take careful note of the faults or merits of each individual player, and be careful that none of them, including himself, infringes the laws, or gives cause for complaint by another club. It is his duty to instruct and advise the players on all points of the game, to show them what positions they should take up in relation to each other so that the play of each of them may be effective, and to see that they do not leave their opponents free at any time for attack or defence. No selfishness in scoring should be allowed by him, and the urgent need of good corn bination should be frequently pointed out. He must impress upon each member of the team that standing or walking in shallow water must be avoided, as nothing is gained thereby, because while walking or standing a foul may unwittingly be committed at a critical portion of the game, and either the whole attack or defence, as the case may be, spoilt. The team should be advised always to play the ball, and never duck an opponent unless he is unmistakably holding the ball. Quick, short passing should be practised rather than long shots, as to make a long shot effective one has to get into a certain position, and in doing so time—an all-important essential in a fast game—is lost.
The swiftness with the ball and accuracy of throw of each player should be individually tested by the captain before the man is admitted to the team. A player may have plenty of strength, but bad judgment in the use of it. Above all, absolute obedience to the captain's signs or orders must be insisted upon.