Underwater hockey

From ArticleWorld

There really is a sport called underwater hockey, or “octopush”, played by two teams that try to push a lead puck along the bottom of a swimming pool and into a submerged goal. The sport was invented in England in 1954. Spectators are allowed to wear snorkel gear, just like the players, and enter the pool to watch. Games are divided into two 10 or 15 minutes halves.

Playing basics

Each team has six players in the pool at any one time; three forwards and three defenders. Each player uses a small stick to push the puck – about the size of an ice hockey puck and weighing about three pounds – along the bottom of the pool. The idea is to advance the puck into the other team’s end of the pool and into the goal. The rules prohibit players without the puck to position themselves between a teammate with the puck and a defending player. There also are rules governing how the puck is passed so as to keep from players being injured. Each team is able to substitute.

What players wear

Players on each team are outfitted for playing the sport in a pool. Each players wears a mask, swim fins and snorkel. They wear caps similar to those worn by water polo players. Underwater hockey players also wear a glove or pair of gloves to protect their hands as they ass the puck along the bottom surface of the pool. Players also wear mouthguards.

International play

The world championship of underwater hockey is played every two years. Top competitors include teams from England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Netherlands and France.