Underwater rugby (UWR) is a sport that has its origin in the physical fitness training of German diving clubs and has little in common with rugby football except for the name.
It is played underwater in a pool with a depth of 3.5m to 5m and goals (heavy metal buckets with a diameter of about 40 cm) at the bottom of the pool. Two teams (blue and white), each with six players (plus six substitutes), try to score a goal by sending the slightly negatively buoyant ball (filled with saltwater) into the opponents’ goal. It is a fast and exhausting game; therefore, the subs replace their players on the fly.
The ball may be passed in any direction but must not leave the water. It "flies" about 2m or 3m before water resistance stops it. This makes good tactics and good (three-dimensional) positioning essential. The players can use different abilities: Strength, speed, mobility or simply low consumption of oxygen are all similarly important.
Not many people play underwater rugby, so it is often played in mixed male-female teams.
