How To Choose Water Polo Equipment

Water polo is a sport played in the water by a team of six field players and one goal keeper. If you have decided to take up water polo as a hobby, then you will need to choose the equipment needed to play the sport. The list isn't long. For your own benefit you may want to purchase a few DVDs, videos or books on the subject, especially if you are new to the game. Watching professional players in the water may help you grasp the concept of the game a little more quickly, and may also give you extra helpful tips on what to do in the position you'll be playing.

The first thing you'll want to choose is a swim suit. Sometimes these are called speedos. For a professional game, your suit will need to be a tight fitting one that is specifically designed for water polo. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, but do need to be very form-fitting. This helps keep opponents from the opposite team from being able to grab any extra fabric your suit might have. A slick sort of material of varying fabrics is usually used for these types of suits.

You will also need to choose a  swim cap that ties under your chin. When playing with a team, all members have the same color of cap to be able to identify each other more easily. Most of the caps come equipped with plastic cups that cover your ear holes for protection.

You will need to choose a ball if you will be practicing your water polo skills in between matches. These balls are most normally produced in a bright yellow color and are easy to grip.  As opposed to the size of most balls used in sports, water polo balls are larger. They come in two sizes. One is the size 5, which is usually used by men; the other is a size 4 for women's use. For younger players wishing to compete on a team, smaller polo balls are made for juniors.

For practicing at home or between games, you will need two goals for your pool. These can be purchased at any sporting goods store or online. If you don't have a personal pool to practice in, you may be able to rent private time in a public pool for a small cost. Also, sports clubs sometimes offer their pool at a discounted rate for a team sport practice. The only other equipment you will need to participate in the sport of water polo?  A few good teammates.