HOW TO/REGULATIONS

TEAM COMPOSITION

Each team has 15 players, 12 of whom play in any one game and three possible substitutes. During the game 6 players are in the pool with 6 exchange players on the side who can be substituted at any time.

PLAYER ROLES

There are different team configurations but generally a team has 2 forwards, 2 defenders and 2 goalkeepers. The idea is to keep possession of the ball and outwit your opponents by using skill, speed, maneuverability, and breath hold. When a team is attacking all players have no official role, which means also the goalkeeper can attack like anyone else.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

Players are wearing a cap, mask, snorkel and fins. A ball filled with salt water is used to score a goal. The goals are placed on the bottom of each side of the pool and are made of steel. The goals look like a basket.

START OF THE GAME

The teams start at each end of the pool with one hand on the wall. The ball is in the middle of the pool, at the bottom. When the referee sounds the buzzer both teams race to get possession of the ball.

GAMEPLAY

The rules of Underwater Rugby are fairly simple. Basically, it is a contact sport, a player can attack another player if they have the ball or if the other player has the ball. Even if it is a contact sport, injuries are very rare thanks to the water element.

REFEREES AND PENALTIES

Any infringement of the rules is judged by 2 referees in the water and one deck referee. Kicks, hits, strangling or playing above the surface can be punished by warnings, free-throws or 2 minutes penalties. If the referees judge that an almost sure goal is stopped a penalty can be awarded.

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