Underwater rugby is a sport played underwater, many may think that this is similar to rugby football, but it actually has little in common with that sport. The development of underwater rugby dates back to the 1960’ in Cologne, Germany. The objective of the game is to try to score by sending the slightly negative buoyant ball into the opposing team’s goal.
The sport is played in a swimming pool, with a length of 12 to 18 meters, and a width of eight to 12 meters. The sport is played in two halves, with fifteen minutes each half, and a five-minute half-time break. There are two teams competing for this sport, with six players each in the pool, and six substitutes on the side. A team can have up to fifteen members.
There have been international competitions of Underwater Rugby since the 1980’s. Competitions range from club level to international level.
Similar Sports
- Underwater Football — played in a swimming pool with snorkeling equipment, the aim is to maneuver a slightly negatively buoyant ball underwater (by carrying and passing) from one side of a pool to the other. Scoring is achieved by placing the ball in the gutter on the side of the pool.
- Underwater Hockey — two teams of six push a puck along the bottom of a swimming pool (also known as 'Octopush' or Water Hockey).
Related Pages
- List of Underwater Sports
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports