The game


	Water Polo is considered by exercise physiologists to be the most physically demanding of all sports. Players cover up to 3 kilometers in the pool over the 1 hour 15 mins it takes to complete a game, as well as physical contact, both above and below the surface of the water.

Water polo rules are a combination of soccer, basketball, ice hockey and rugby. What is so different about Water Polo it is played in the water which makes it difficult for the two referees to see exactly what is going on.

It is played in a deep pool 30x20 meters, with a goal 3 meters (9 feet, 10 inches) wide and at least 0.9 meters (2 feet, 11 inches) above the water. The goal is marked by vertical posts, a crossbar, and nets, as in soccer and hockey.

For the men's sport, the pool is 30 meters (98 feet) long and 20 meters (65 feet) wide.

Women play in a somewhat smaller pool, 25 by 17 meters (82 by 56 feet).