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Under Contruction! Really!, I mean it, check back soon!
Rules of
the game.Playing The Game
The pool should be 25m x 15m and 2m deep all the way across, but
anything will do, even slopes (just change ends at half-time).
Lead weights and 3 meters of rope can be used as goals, though
the sound of the puck thunking into the back of a metal goal is
very satisfying and should be experienced! Start with the puck
in the middle of the pool and the teams lined up at either end
(play also starts this way after a goal is scored). "Teams
ready, Sticks Up, GO!" starts the designated players racing to
get possession of the puck. Teams generally play zones, as in
basketball, with forward offensive players and back defensive
players.
- Center: Tries to get initial possession
of the puck. Is an offensive player and generally positioned
directly on or in front of the play.
- Wings (right and left): Score goals and
steal the puck from the other team's defense. Both are
offensive players that stay in front of the play for forward
passes. When stopped from advancing, they pass backward to
the halfbacks. Watch that the weak side wing (on the side
the puck isn't) doesn't drift too far onto the strong side -
your halfbacks will be trying to feed the puck up the weak
side (where the other teams defense isn't) and need someone
to score the goal.
- Halfbacks (right and left): Stop the
other team and feed the wings. Strong side (the side the
puck is on) follows behind the play closely, weak side is
last man back, guarding the goal. Careful - strong and weak
side can switch quickly so halfbacks have to do a lot of
swimming up and down the pool to stay in position.
- Swingback: Defensive player, second to
last player back. Backs up the halfbacks especially when the
play is moving from one side of the pool to the other. Plays
the "pivot point" that the whole defense is based on.
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Equipment
Each player uses the following equipment:
Mask - small volume free diving masks are best, but
any diving mask will work fine. Swim goggles are not recommended. A mask
doubles as a nose plug and face shield and doesn't fog as much as
goggles.
Snorkel - you want to be able to breathe while
scanning the bottom of the pool for the puck and your next position.
Large bore (to get air quickly), streamlined designs are best.
Fins - softer free diving fins allow you to maneuver
quickly and with speed. Heavy scuba fins are okay, but will beat up
other people and your feet.
Stick - about 12 inches long, made of wood and
painted black or white to distinguish the teams. It has a dog bone shape
at one end with one straight side. It is usually about 2 cm or less
thick and up to 12 cm wide at the tip. It narrows to a handle 2-5 cm
wide and 1-4 cm thick.
Glove - standard practice is to buy a heavyweight
gardening glove and cover it with aquaseal ©, shoegoo, hot-melt glue or
some other hard glue. This also pads your hand when someone hits your
hand instead of the puck (OOPS).
Water Polo Head Gear- required at tournaments.
Getting hit in the ear with a fin may pop your eardrum if done right.
Water polo caps work well.
Mouth Guards - An exterior or interior mouth guard
is now required at all sanctioned tournaments.
Swimsuit - any kind of swimsuit will do
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