Underwater Hockey is a game played by two teams of 10 players each. 6 players are in the water at any one time with the
remaining 4 swop outs waiting out of the water. The reserves can swop in as often as needed whenever its needed as long as
there are only 6 players of the team in the water at any one time.
As you may have guessed the game is played by holding your breath (swallowing water is not advised) with the lead puck sitting
at the bottom of the pool. The pool is usually about 1.8m to 2m deep, although some pools push limits and are about 2.5m
deep.
The puck is played with a 25 cm long hockey stick which looks absolutely nothing like a land hockey stick. The stick is used to
push the puck along the bottom of the pool and to flick it either at goal or towards a team member. This allows the game to
move incredibly fast because the puck can lift up to about 30cm off the floor of the pool (although you've got to be damn good
to do it!) and there is no friction between the tile floor and the puck.
Other items of equipment necessary are Swimming fins (closed heel advised), Scuba mask and Snorkel. You will also need a
stick and glove (to protect your fingers from the tiles) but these will usually be lent to beginners before they eventually get their
own. The kit looks much like the following:
