How To Play Water Polo

Water polo was the first team sport to be added to the program of the Olympic Games, in 1900. This accessible volume chronicles the history of the fast-paced aquatic sport, its rules and regulations, playing techniques, and required skills, such as catching, wet and dry passing, and shooting. Both offensive and defensive plays are examined, as well as how points are scored. This handy narrative also explains player positions, the coach's responsibilities, and officials' tasks, and includes informative sidebars such as a comparison of American and English water polo and types of fouls.

The game of water-polo has perhaps done more during recent years to popularise and to cause an interest to be taken in swimming than any other branch of the sport. It is essentially a game for swimmers, and one that affords no lack of opportunity for the exhibition of skill and the development of staying power. Its practice tends to improve the speed rates of all those who participate in the pastime, as well as to inculcate in the minds of its followers good ideas as to the best methods of obtaining command over the water. In long-distance swims only one style of swimming is, as a rule, adopted, but in water-polo the rapid changes of position which are necessary compel players to constantly alter their style. This is in itself a beneficial phase of the game, and one which teaches a swimmer how complete may become his power. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

This vintage book contains a comprehensive guide to playing water polo. Primarily designed for the beginner, it gives instructions on preparatory work, rules and strategy, as well as providing some historical information on the development of the game. This profusely illustrated guide is ideal for those with little previous experiences and is not to be missed by collectors of vintage sporting literature. Contents include: "Introduction", "Evolution of the American Game", "How the Game is Played To-day in America", "Preparatory Work", "How to Develop the Green Player", "Choosing the Players", "Developing the Team", "On Fouling", "Preparing for a Contest", "A Few Points for the Game", and "American Rules of Water Polo". Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive and we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern edition.