Underwater rugby

Underwater Rugby is a team sport that is unique in that both move the ball and the players in three dimensions. The internationally accepted abbreviation is UWR, in Scandinavia UVR is also common. With the known rugby has little more than the name in common.

Game History

The game is played with a ball filled with salt water ( about the size of a handball and often the appearance of a classic football has ), the higher density with a sink rate from 1 to 1.25 m / s falls through its compared to fresh water. It is always played under water, the ball must not get on the water surface.

At a depth of between 3.5 m and 5.0 m are the gates at the bottom of the pool. They are heavy metal baskets with a diameter of 39-40 cm.

A game lasts 2 x 15 minutes. Each team consists of 6 players and 6 substitutes and 3 substitutes. Since it is heavily burdened by the fast-paced game of the cycle, but not under water is breathed, the players change "on the fly ". The rule is that the substitute only allowed into the water when the others it has completely abandoned.

Underwater Rugby requires high stamina and good apnea training. But tactical feel is necessary because proper positioning for a good passing game is crucial. In this case, the ball is similar to the shot put, pushed away. Depending on the use of force and speed of the ball can be fitted accurately so over several meters distance. Overall, the game is characterized by different demands on the players: not only strength is required, just underwater speed and agility are decisive. To navigate through the nearly " free space " of the three dimensions, in addition, a good overview is essential because an attack can be made while underwater rugby from above or below.

History

Underwater Rugby was introduced in the sixties as a game was played at the with a container filled with salt water polo. In this initial phase, a net that which made it a kind of underwater volleyball under water.

In 1964, then the DLRG Mülheim an der Ruhr have fought and DUC Duisburg the first match with modified rules, with one oriented on those of the rugby. This match can be considered as the first underwater rugby game.

The first championship was held in 1966 in Mülheim, then with eight players per team.

In 1971 the first all-German Underwater Rugby Championship was held, which at that time still had no official character; a year later the first official.

Another year later, in 1973, underwater rugby was introduced internationally.

Following the official recognition of underwater rugby, underwater hockey as a competitive sports by the CMAS, the first official European Championships in Malmö, Sweden, will be held in 1978.

The first underwater rugby World Cup was held in 1980 at the birthplace Mülheim.

Popularity

Main article: Underwater Rugby in Germany

In Germany and many other, mainly European, countries now a pronounced underwater rugby culture has emerged. There are now an underwater Rugby Championship, a World Cup and a functioning league system in Germany.

Equipment

The design of an underwater rugby player consists of:

• Dark bracelets for the blue team and bright since 2008 bracelets for the white team
• Swimsuit white or blue / black
• Snorkel
• Flippers
• Diving mask
• Water polo cap with earmuffs, white or blue

See also NBC equipment

Regulate

Most important rules

• Physical attacks may only be directed against the ball carrier or emanating from the ball carrier.
• It may not be attacked on his equipment.
• The ball may not be lifted out of the water.
• Adherence to the gate is not allowed.
• Basically, brute force is inadmissible; Biting, scratching, hitting, choking, kicking, excessive twisting of limbs and deliberate immersion deemed foul.

Horn signals

A game manager and two underwater Referees are by horn signals that the game stays fair.

• Two long beeps: Tor
• Several short beeps: stoppage of play ( penalty, a dropped ball or the end of the half)