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COMPARISON BETWEEN US AND EUROPEAN WATERPOLO

GAME AND COMPETITION

Contents

1. Why did I choose this topic?................................................................................................................2

2. Water polo – definition........................................................................................................................2
3. History.................................................................................................................................................2
3.2 USA competition...................................................................................................................................3
3.2 Europe competition...............................................................................................................................3
4. Rules....................................................................................................................................................4
4.1. Fouls in water polo......................................................................................................................6
4.2. Major fouls (also called exclusion fouls or personal fouls) include:............................................6
4.3. Personal fouls in water polo.........................................................................................................7
5. Fun facts..............................................................................................................................................8
6. Variations of water polo......................................................................................................................8
7. History of the game of water polo.......................................................................................................9
7.1. By whom, where and when was Water Polo invented?............................................................9
8. Water Polo and the Olympics..............................................................................................................9
8.1. Best Water Polo players to watch................................................................................................9
9. Water Polo Competition Rules at Paris 2024.................................................................................10
 1. Why did I choose this topic?

I choose this topic because it is something that I am passionate about. I’m a professional athlete.

This issue is important to me because it directly affects my life. Since this year I have to evaluate
my options for the future, I think it’s important to know exactly the pros and cons for both water
polo systems. I believe that for a young athlete as myself, in the beginning of his professional
life, it is essential to know all the details of the two completely different game systems.

Furthermore, I believe that this topic is not only relevant to me, but also to other young people
who might face similar situations. By writing about this issue, I hope to raise awareness and start
a conversation that can maybe lead to a positive mind change.

2. Water polo – definition

Water polo is a team sport played in the water between two teams of 6 field players and a
goalkeeper, all wearing matching-colored caps. Players attempt to score goals by throwing the
ball into the opposing team's goal, and the team with the most goals at the end of the game wins
the match.
The sport is typically played in a 3m deep pool measuring 30,6m by 20m for men and 25,6m by
20m for women, so that players cannot touch the bottom.
Field players must swim non-stop many times during a game without touching the sides or
bottom of the pool. Matches consisting of for four 8-minute clock-time (i.e., excluding breaks in
play) quarters. Teams had to play a single action for a maximum of 30 seconds of clock time.
(Journal of Sport Science and Medicine, n.d.)
The key skills of water polo include the ability to swim, strategy, strength, speed, endurance, and
physicality.

3. History
Water polo is one of the oldest team sports of the modern Olympic Games and was the first team
sport introduced at the 1900 Olympic games, along with cricket, rugby, soccer, polo with
horses, rowing and tug of war.
The modern game originated as a form of rugby played in rivers and lakes in England and
Scotland with a ball constructed of Indian rubber. This “water rugby” came to be called “water
polo” based on the English pronunciation of the Balti word for ball, pulu.
The rules of water polo were originally developed in the late nineteenth century in Great Britain
by William Wilson.
In 1888, The London Water Polo League was founded to deal with variations in regional rules. It
approved a set of rules to allow team competition, forming the basis of the present game.
The first English championships were played in 1888. In 1890, the first international water polo
game was played; Scotland defeated England, 4-0.
Between 1890 and 1900, the game developed in Europe, with teams competing in Germany,
Austria, France, Belgium, Hungary, and Italy, using British rules.
A different game was being played in the United States, characterized by rough play, holding,
diving underwater, and soft, semi-inflated ball that could be gripped tightly and carried
underwater.
As a result, European teams did not compete in the 1904 Olympic championships in St. Louis,
USA.
By 1914, most US teams agreed to conform to international rules. An international water polo
committee was formed in 1929, consisting of representatives from Great Britain and the
International Amateur Swimming Federation (FINA). Rules were developed for international
matches and put into effect in 1930; FINA has been the international governing body for the
sport since that time. (Collegiate Water Polo Association, n.d.)

3.2 USA competition

The game of water polo was first played in the United States in 1888 by English swimming
instructor John Robinson. It looked like American football in the water. “American style” water
polo became very popular and by the late 1890’s was played in such places as Madison Square
Garden and Boston’s Mechanics Hall, attracting 14,000 spectators to the big national
championship games. Violence was the game’s main attraction.
As the sport grew in popularity, so did its level of violence, with little rules to prevent it. In the
1800’s the intent of the game was to place the ball with two hands against the wall at one end of
the pool, to score. Players often swam underwater to gain an advantage, only to be attacked by
their defenders in the same manner.
In addition to the aggressive play, many of the pools and lakes in which it was played were often
poorly filtered and very murky, creating even more mystery regarding the actions that took place
beneath the surface. It was not uncommon for players to be dragged from the water unconscious.
This may have added to the popularity. In fact, its popularity was so great it was named the first
Olympic team sport in 1900.
Only from 1914 United States clubs finally agreed to play under the more civilized international
rules.
Water polo within the United States was adopted as a championship sport for men in the
collegiate system in the early 70’s, while women were added about 30 years later as participation
grew. Today, collegiate, and high school teams can be found throughout the country.

In 1897, New Yorker Harold Reeder formulated the first American rules for discipline, which
were aimed at curbing the sport’s more violent tendencies. (Collegiate Water Polo Association,
n.d.)

3.2 Europe competition

It is believed that British holiday resort owners invented this rather strange pastime during the
mid-1800s, to attract guests. The first games were played on nearby rivers and lakes, and the
game’s passing similarity to horseback polo gave it the name “water polo.”
By 1869, a rubber ball had begun to replace the original ball which was made from a pig’s
stomach.
In 1870 the London Swimming Club formulated rules for the sport and hosted the first official
game at the Crystal Palace Plunge in London. Games resembled rugby on the water and were
based more on brute strength than athletic skill.
In 1880, rules were introduced in Scotland to shift the game’s focus to skill over force. A bigger
ball, similar to a soccer ball, was used, nets were introduced, and players could no longer tackle
opponents who did not have possession of the ball. The same rules still apply to today’s game.
The game that evolved into contemporary water polo started off as an adaptation of rugby played
in lakes and rivers; the object of the game was to “carry” the ball to the opponent’s side.
The Scottish rules were adopted throughout Great Britain, and the game quickly caught on in
countries like Hungary (1889), Belgium (1900), Germany and Austria (1894), and France
(1895).
By 1900, water polo was so popular it became the first team sport added to the Olympic Games
program and has remained an Olympic sport ever since. Great Britain won gold at each of the
first four Olympic Games.
In 1911, the Federation International de Natation Amateur (FINA), the international governing
body for all amateur water sports, adopted the Scottish rules for all international water polo
events.
Over the years the game has evolved to more of a soccer style in which an opponent could
only make contact if a player held the ball. In addition, the evolution of swimming changed the
game from brute strength underwater to one of passing and speed above the surface.
Internationally the game is played all over the world, with Europe and Asia boasting the world’s
strongest programs for men. The USA is the only non-European team to win Olympic medals.
(Collegiate Water Polo Association, n.d.)

4. Rules

Teams are made up of seven players (including one goalkeeper) and have 30 seconds of ball
possession to score a goal; if the team does not attack the goal within that time, possession passes
to the opposition. The team with the most goals at the end of the match is the winner.
Either team may substitute players after a goal is scored, during a time-out, or between periods.
During actual play, substitutions must occur through the team's re-entry area (the corner of the
pool in front of the team's bench).
The referees whistle two different kinds of fouls: minor (ordinary) fouls and major (personal)
fouls. There is no limit to the number of minor fouls a player may commit and if the foul is
committed outside the 5m line, the player may take the free throw as a "direct shot" at the goal.
Typical minor fouls include impeding free movement of a player who isn’t holding the ball, time
wasting in possession of the ball, touching the ball with two hands, letting the shot clock expire,
and holding the ball underwater.
However, players can be excluded for 20 seconds if they commit a major foul, and if they are
penalized for three major fouls, that player must leave the game and may not return. Major fouls
include, holding, sinking, or pulling back a player who doesn’t have the ball, violence, or
disrespect.
The game consists of four eight-minute periods.
There are six field player positions and a goalkeeper on each team. Unlike most common team
sports, there is not any positional play; field players often will fill several positions throughout
the game as situations demand. Players who are skilled at several offensive or defensive roles are
called utility players. Utility players tend to come off the bench, though this isn’t absolute.
Certain body types are more suited for positions, and left-handed players are especially coveted,
allowing teams to launch 2-sided attacks.
The offensive positions include: 1 center (a.k.a. hole set, 2-meter offense, pit player or pit-man),
2 wings, 2 drivers (also called “flats”), and 1 “point” man. The hole set directs the attack, and on
defense is known as hole check, hole D, pit defense or 2-meter defense, defending the opposing
team’s center forward.
The wings, drivers and point are often called the perimeter players. The most basic positional set
up is known as a 3-3, due to the fact that there are two lines both containing 3 players. Another
set up, used more by professional teams, is known as an “arc”, umbrella, or mushroom, because
the perimeter players form the shape of an arc, umbrella or mushroom around the goal with the
center forward as the handle or stalk. The center forward, known by players as hole set or 2-
meter is the center player in the middle of the umbrella who is closest to the opposing teams
goal. This player sets up in front of the opposing team’s goalie and usually scores the most
individually (especially during lower level play where arc or perimeter players do not have the
required leg strength to drop effectively onto the pit player) or contributes most often to initiating
plays. The five perimeter players often swim the most and interchange their positions several
times during a single offensive play. They contribute to the actual execution of plays, and
cumulatively score the most points for the team. The point player’s position provides
opportunities to pass to teammates and communicate among the offense, like the point guard in
basketball. The center forward also plays a big role offensively because they sit closest to the
goal and usually attempt to shoot from close-range as frequently as possible with “Step-
out”(a.k.a Roll-out), “Sweep”, or “Backhand” shots.
The goalkeeper is given several privileges above those of the other players, but only if he or she
is within the five-meter area in front of his goal:

* The ability to touch the ball with two hands.

The front crawl stroke used in water polo differs from the usual swimming style in that water
polo players swim with the head out of water at all times to observe the field. The arm stroke
used is also a lot shorter and quicker and is used to protect the ball at all times. Backstroke is
used by defending field players to track advancing attackers and by the goalie to track the ball
after passing. Water polo backstroke differs from swimming backstroke; the player sits almost
upright in the water, using eggbeater leg motions with short arm strokes to the side instead of
long straight arm strokes. This allows the player to see the play and quickly switch positions. It
also allows the player to quickly catch an on coming pass with a free hand.
As all field players are only allowed to touch the ball with one hand at a time, they must develop
the ability to catch and throw the ball with either hand and also the ability to catch a ball from
any direction, including across the body using the momentum of the incoming ball. Experienced
water polo players can catch and release a pass or shoot with a single motion.
The most common form of water treading is generally referred to as “egg-beatering” named
because the circular movement of the legs resembles the motion of an egg-beater. Egg beater is
used for most of the match as the players cannot touch the bottom of the pool. The advantage of
egg-beater is that it allows the player to maintain a constant position to the water level, and uses
less energy than other forms of treading water such as the scissor kick, which result in the player
bobbing up and down. It can be used vertically or horizontally. Horizontal egg-beater is used to
resist forward motion of an attacking player. Vertical eggbeater is used to maintain a position
higher than the opponent. By kicking faster for a brief period the player can get high out of the
water (as high as their suit—below their waistline) for a block, pass, or shot.
(Collegiate Water Polo Association, n.d.)
 Water polo players in possession of the ball can pass the ball forwards, sideways or
backwards.
 Water polo players must tread water and are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool
– with the exception of the goalkeeper.
 The ball can be advanced by passing with one hand or swimming with the head above the
water and the ball between the arms so that it rides on the wave created by the swimmer
(which is called ‘dribbling’).
 The ball can only be handled by one hand at a time in water polo – with the exception of
the goalkeeper, who can use both hands.
 There is no real offside rule, except within 2m of the opponent’s goal line.
 Water polo teams have 30 seconds from gaining possession in which to shoot. If this time
expires, then the ball is passed over to the opposition.

4.1. Fouls in water polo

Fouls are common in water polo, and referees really have to have their wits about them due to
the amount of infringements that can take place out of view under the water. There are three
types of fouls in water polo: 'ordinary fouls', which account for the vast majority of whistle stops
during a game; 'major fouls'; and 'penalty fouls'.

Ordinary fouls include:

 Touching the ball with two hands (with the exception of the goalkeeper).
 Taking the ball under water when tackled.
 Impeding an opponent who is not holding the ball.
 Pushing off an opponent.
 Failing to shoot or advance the ball within 30 seconds.

When the referee calls an ordinary foul, the offended water polo team is awarded a free throw at
the point of the foul.

4.2. Major fouls (also called exclusion fouls or personal fouls) include:
 Kicking or striking.
 Deliberate splashing in the face.
 Interfering with a free throw.
 Misconduct or disrespect to the referee.
  Holding, sinking or pulling back an opponent who is not holding the ball.

Major fouls may result in a water polo player being sent out of play for 20 seconds. A player
receiving three major fouls is removed from the game by substitution.

Deliberate kicking or striking an opponent result in the permanent sending off of the offending
player.

4.3. Personal fouls in water polo

Some infringements occurring within the 5m zone can result in the award of a penalty foul, if the
referee deems the foul has prevented an almost certain goal. The water polo player taking the
penalty throw has a free shot at the goal from the 5m line, with only the goalie defending.

The European water polo map has been changed a lot during this summer. There were many
transfers. Some of the countries formed powerful leagues by bringing foreign players (like
France). On the other side, many clubs released foreigners since they had to cut budgets because
of the coronavirus crisis.

One of the 2020 European water polo transfer market attributes is the American “invasion” of
European water polo.

A lot of Americans arrived in Europe. Among them are many players who didn’t graduate from
their colleges, and they will be amateurs in Europe. This season, the college water polo leagues
won’t be played in the USA because of the pandemic. Many of the Universities moved to online
classes. So, some of the American students in Europe can continue their education.

Even sixteen members of the USA Water Polo Men’s Team will compete in the European
leagues.

As the USA Water Polo Federation announced, athletes with collegiate eligibility remaining,
including Hannes Daube, Marko Vavic, Ashworth Molthen and Tommy Gruwell, have been
granted a waiver by the NCAA via their respective collegiate institutions to compete in club
competition in Europe. These athletes will receive no salary.

The list of the Americans in Europe isn’t concluded with the names of the National Team
players.

Also, many of the Europeans, who were at the colleges in the USA, returned to Europe. Some of
them graduated, while the others will be amateurs, like Daube, Marko Vavic, Molthen and
Gruwell.

Several weeks ago, Total Waterpolo published an interview with Alex Bowen. Commenting on
the fact that there were no many American players in the European leagues, Bowen said:
“There are a couple of reasons. It is hard to find contacts… It’s hard for a regular college
player, who is not on a national team, to be seen by the Europeans. In the last few years, more
and more guys from the US have come out to play abroad. But, four years ago, I was the only
guy out there.”
Obviously, the situation has been changed. The European water polo opens its doors for the
Americans. There is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has its impacts this year. However,
that probably wasn’t the only reason for the opening of the European doors for American
players.

Team USA head coach Dejan Udovicic is pleased that many of the American players acquire
experience in Europe.

“From my time as a player and coach, I’m very familiar with all the programs and leagues our
athletes will be competing in. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to work with these club leaders
to add great talent to their teams,” Udovicic said for the USA Water Polo website recently.
Udovicic has been the Team USA head coach since 2013. Before coming to America, he was
Serbia head coach (2006-2012) and led Serbia to many medals at major competitions. Besides,
he was the head coach of Partizan and Radnicki. As a player, Udovicic was a member of Partizan
and VK Beograd.
(Curcic, n.d.)

5. Fun facts
 Not all water polo rules are the same. For example, overtime is different on the
international level and in college. In FINA (international) rules, if the score is tied at the
end of regulation play, two overtime periods of three minutes each are played. If the tie is
not broken after two overtime periods, a penalty shootout will determine the winner,
much like in hockey. Five players and a goalkeeper are chosen by the coaches of each
team. Players shoot from the 5 meter line alternately at either end of the pool in turn until
all five have taken a shot. If the score is still tied, the same players shoot alternately until
one team misses and the other scores. Overtime periods are common in tournament play
due to the high level of skill of these superior teams; Team USA defeated Hungary in the
2004 Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final when US goalie Jackie Frank
made 2 stops on penalty shots.
 Differing from FINA rules, overtime in American college varsity water polo play is
sudden victory, first team to score wins, after the two three-minute overtime periods.
There are no shootouts, the overtimes simply continue until a team scores.

6. Variations of water polo

 All water polo is not the same, either, as the game has developed into different variations.
 Inner tube water polo is a style of water polo with the important difference that players,
excluding the goalkeeper, are required to float in inner tubes. By floating in an inner
tube players expend less energy than traditional water polo players, not having to tread
water. This allows casual players to enjoy water polo without undertaking the intense
conditioning required for conventional water polo. This sport is predominantly played at
 universities/colleges by intramural coed teams. The sport’s rules resemble those of water
polo, however, with no governing body the rules vary across different leagues. For
example, while the winner is determined by the team which scores the most goals, some
leagues award one point for a male goal, and two points for a female goal, while others
award one for either. The game was invented in 1969 by now retired UC Davis associate
athletic director of intramural sports and sport clubs, Gary Colberg. Noticing how much
fun the water polo team was having, Mr. Colberg thought up the idea of using tubes so
that people with no experience in water polo could still enjoy the game.
 Surf polo, another variation of water polo, is played on surfboards. First played on the
beaches of Waikiki in Hawaii in the 1930s and 1940s, it is credited to Louis
Kahanamoku, Duke Kahanamoku’s brother.
 Canoe Polo or kayak polo is one of the eight disciplines of canoeing pursued in the UK,
known simply as “polo” by its aficionados. Polo combines paddling and ball handling
skills with an exciting contact team game, where tactics and positional play are as
important as the speed and fitness of the individual athletes.

7. History of the game of water polo

7.1. By whom, where and when was Water Polo invented?

Water polo is a tough sport, but when it first began, it was even tougher. It is said that the game
originated from Great Britain, where people played rugby in rivers and lakes in the mid-19th
Century. Fighting between players was common, if not the norm.

Water polo was developed in Europe and the United States as two differing sports. Ultimately,
the faster, less-dangerous European style predominated, and today this is the form of the game
practised universally. It consists of seven-person teams playing four eight-minute periods.
Olympic water polo is traditionally played in a pool, while beach water polo is played in open
water.

8. Water Polo and the Olympics

Water polo has been part of the Olympic program since Paris 1900, making it one of the oldest
team sports to feature at the Games. The women’s competition was added to the program at
Sydney 2000.
The earliest editions of the men’s Olympic tournament took place in the Seine river in Paris, with
London 1908 the first edition of the Games where water polo took place in a pool.
Hungary has been the most successful nation in the men’s tournament, while the USA has
dominated the women’s side.
Italy was the first nation to win both a men’s and women’s Olympic gold medal in water polo.
8.1. Best Water Polo players to watch
Francesco di Fulvio of Italy is the man of the moment in men’s water polo, after some ultra-
consistent goal-scoring displays.
His 14 goals took the Italian team to the final of the 2022 Worlds where they were pipped by
Spain. He was also the heartbeat of the Italian team at the European Championships with 15
goals and 12 assists, while his speed in the swim-offs is unmatched.
Elsewhere, keep an eye out for Spanish star Felipe Perrone, and Gergo Zalanki of Hungary.
On the women’s side, Maddie Musselman has been the stand-out star in recent seasons. In 2022,
the USA player scored five goals and was named most valuable player of the World
Championships final after helping her team defeat Hungary. Already considered one of the
greatest wingers of all time, she is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist from Rio and Tokyo,
having been named MVP and top scorer in the latter.
The USA’s dominance has also been down to the stunning goalkeeping efforts of Ashleigh
Johnson, while Rita Keszthelyi of Hungary has built a reputation as one of the most exciting
attacking players in the world.
9. Water Polo Competition Rules at Paris 2024
As in Tokyo 2020, there will be 10 teams in the women's tournament and 12 in the men's.
The 12 participating men’s teams are divided into two groups of six. Both groups play a round-
robin-style preliminary stage so that each team plays all five other teams in its group.
Once all matchups have taken place, the top four teams in each group’s standings advance to the
knockout round, while the bottom two teams per group are eliminated.
The women’s tournament is limited to 10 teams, divided into two groups of five. Each group
plays a round-robin and the last-place team in each group after all games have taken place is
eliminated. The remaining eight teams contest the knockout stage in the same format as the
men’s tournament.”
(Olympics, n.d.)