How deep is the pool for water polo at the Beijing Olympic Games?
Water polo is played in deep water – a minimum of 1.8 metres (just a little under 6 feet). The game involves teams of seven players, with a ball similar in size to a soccer ball but constructed out of waterproof nylon. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into the team’s goal net at the end of the pool, and prevent the opposition from doing so at the other end of the pool. The game is divided into four quarters, each of seven minutes. The clock is not stopped within a quarter. A team may not have possession of the ball for longer than 35 seconds without shooting for the goal – after this time, possession passes to the other team. Dimensions of the water polo pool can vary between 20 x 10 and 30 x 20 metres. The goals are 3 metres wide. One player on each team is designated the goalkeeper, and their primary job is to guard the goals, deflecting or catching any shots at goal. The goalkeeper is the only player who can touch the ball with both hands at any time. Players can move the b
