How to Play Water Polo
Since the basic rules of water polo have a lot in common with soccer and team handball (see below), they are easy for kids to grasp in the backyard pool. Official water polo is played in deep water using an 'Eggbeater' style to tread water. Eggbeatering keeps players up and steady in the water and is used for water polo and synchronized swimming.
- Learn how to do the eggbeater technique - Marion Alexander and Carolyn Taylor, University of Manitoba
- View a demo of the egg-beater technique - YouTube
Wikipedia gives a good overview of water polo rules and the specific swimming skills that water polo players use. Parents can learn enough about the game of water polo at SportSpectator.com to be the backyard coach, referee, and rulesetter for kids learning to play the game correctly. A popular modification, perfect for kids, is to play the game wearing inner tubes.
Water polo rules allow only one hand on the ball. You'll see a great description and video of the water polo shot at Sport Science Information for Coaches. With kids, you need a smaller, lightweight or flexible ball. Like all sports equipment, goals with nets for Olympic-style games can be expensive. Be creative with 'goals' when your kids give these sports a first try. Check discount sporting good stores for goals, but be cautious about safety. Cheap goals can be dangerous in a rowdy game of water polo, soccer, or handball.
- Watch Olympic Water Polo on TV
- Best Site for Kids Learning to Play Water Polo Pause to Play for Kids - Ontario Canada Active 2010
- All About Olympic Water Polo