Underwater hockey is played in a 25m x 15m pool that is between 1.8 and 3 m deep. The game consists of 15 minute halves and a three minute half time. Each team is allowed 1 60 second time out per half. The game clock stops for any infringements in the last 2 minutes of the game.

Each side has 12 players, 10 of who can play in any one game. During the game 6 players are in the pool with 4 interchange players on the side who can sub at any time. The players wear large fins, a diving mask and snorkel and a thick glove made from latex to protect the hand from the pool bottom and the puck. The bats are made of wood and are about 25cm long, they usually have one straight edge for flicking the puck and the back edge is usually curved for hooking the puck. The top players can flick the puck well over 3m and it comes off the bottom enough to go over another player.

The puck is made of lead and is coated with plastic, it weighs about 1.5 kg.

The teams start at each end of the pool with one hand on the wall. The puck is in the middle of the pool. When the referee sounds the buzzer both teams race to get possession of the puck. There is a goal tray at each end of the playing area; it is 3m long with a slope from the front into a shallow trough at the back wall. The puck must pass through the goal volume for a team to score a goal.

There are many team configurations but generally a team has 3 forwards; a strike and 2 wings and 3 backs; 2 half backs and a full back. The idea is to keep possession of the puck and outwit your opponents by using skill, speed, maneuverability and breathe hold.

The rules of Underwater Hockey are fairly simple. Basically it is a non contact sport, a player cannot interfere with another player with their free hand. There is no off side rule however shepherding and obstruction is not allowed. The puck must not rest on the glove or be carried on top of the bat or stopped deliberately by anything other than the bat.

Any infringement of the rules is judged by the 2 in water Referees who signal to the out of water Referee to sound the buzzer to stop play. Depending on the seriousness of the foul the Referees can award a free puck giving a 3m advantage to the disadvantaged team or can eject players for 1 or 2 minutes or for the remainder of the game. If a foul has stopped a certain goal within 3m of the goal then the Referees can award a penalty 2 on 1, or just award a penalty goal.

The competitions in Underwater Hockey range from club to National to World titles. Every 2 years a World Championship is held around April or May. Every other year Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compete in a Tri – Nations cup. There are under 18 years teams, under 21 years teams, Open men’s and women’s teams and Masters teams (over 35 for men and over 32 for women).

This year the World Championship was held in Hobart, Tasmania. Open men and women, men’s masters and women’s masters teams represented Australia. The first three teams mentioned won gold medals while the masters women won silver. This was an excellent result. There were 15 nations competing, 35 teams and about 600 players, coaches and referees.

Underwater Hockey is a great sport for all ages, shapes and sizes. Quite a few of us have been playing for well over 10 years. It is a sport that does not cause the injuries from running, stopping suddenly or being run into! Lets face it, you can’t fall down. It is a sport that continues to grow and which keeps it players interested. Each game is different, each player must overcome their opponent, moving in water, controlling the puck and the innate need to breathe. Teamwork and anticipation is essential and a lot of communication goes on before and after the games.

The game is 3D, how you play is only limited by your imagination.

- Meredith Williams