Sports

The Columbia Encyclopedia,... World Encyclopedia The Oxford Pocket Dictionary... Further reading

water polo

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

water polo swimming game encompassing features of soccer, football, basketball, and hockey. The object of the game is to maneuver, by head, feet, or hand, a leather-covered ball 27 to 28 in. (about 70 cm) in circumference into net-enclosed goals at opposite ends of a pool 19 to 30 yd (17.37 to 27.43 m) long and at most 20 yd (18.29 m) wide. The two competing teams consist of seven players each, one of whom is the goalie. Only one hand may be used to advance the ball, which must be carried on the surface. Rough defensive techniques permitted include ducking, i.e., holding a player underwater.

Water polo was devised in England in the 1870s and became popular in the United States in the early 20th cent. It is played mainly by club teams, although it is also popular in collegiate competition. Water polo has been an men's Olympic event since 1900; women's water polo was first played at the games in 2000. A far rougher version of the game, played with a soft rubber ball in a larger pool and known as American or softball water polo, was formerly popular in the United States. However, its extreme violence brought it into disfavor, and today only the international or hardball game is played throughout the world.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"water polo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"water polo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-watrpolo.html

"water polo." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-watrpolo.html

Learn more about citation styles

water polo

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

water polo Sport devised as an aquatic form of football, played by two teams of seven people in a pool. At each end of the pool is a net-enclosed goal defended by one player per team. Water polo has been an Olympic event since 1900.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"water polo." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"water polo." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-waterpolo.html

"water polo." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-waterpolo.html

Learn more about citation styles

water polo

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

wa·ter po·lo • n. a seven-a-side game played by swimmers in a pool, with a ball like a volleyball that is thrown into the opponent's net.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"water polo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"water polo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-waterpolo.html

"water polo." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-waterpolo.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Water polo gains respect, popularity in local schools.(Neighbor) Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 4/11/1996
	Water polo still aiming for full IHSA acceptance.(SportsXtra) Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 4/23/1999
	Water polo: They call it liquid hockey Tough sport gains respect,... Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 4/9/1996