The Olympic sport where competitors yank out opponents’ armpit hair

Water polo is one of those Olympic athletic endeavors that comes on television sandwiched between swimming qualifying heats and whitewater kayaking that you watch for about 10 minutes before you realize you actually have no idea what is happening, what the rules are or why the players are wearing those caps that resemble the helmets for babies with misshapen heads.

Needless to say, the sport is not a common one to encounter on American television. So here’s what you need to know:

Where did the sport come from?

Water polo evolved from rugby played in water. Each team is made up of six players plus a goalie, with the field players sometimes playing both offense and defense. The goalie can touch the ball with two hands, but other players can only touch it with one hand. It’s been an Olympic sport for men since 1900 but the women didn’t start playing for the gold for another 100 years, in 2000.

How long are the games?

Games are made up of 8-minute quarters, with two minute breaks in between. The game is ideally played in pools at least 6 feet deep, so players are not standing on the bottom of the pool but swimming or treading water constantly as they work to score goals. Similar to hockey, players can sub out after a goal, between periods or during play.

How do you win?

Whichever team has the most points at the end of the game wins. Players are quite aggressive as they catch and throw the ball, dunking opposing players who get in their way. The intense splashing hides much of the contact, which U.S. Olympic team captain Tony Azevado says can be quite painful — and explicit.

“If you haven’t gotten your balls grabbed as a water-polo player, you’re probably not playing at a high level,” Azevado told GQ. He said he’s had his armpit and pubic hair yanked out by opponents.

Rules regarding ties at the end of regulation play vary depending upon the level. In international rules, a tie is followed by two overtime periods of three minutes. If the tie remains, a penalty shootout follows.

And finally... Why do they wear those caps?

Water polo players wear caps so members can tell which team a player is on. Generally the home team wears blue ones and the visiting team wears white. Goalies wear caps with red on them so they can be identified. The caps also help protect players’ heads when they get hit with the ball.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "The Olympic sport where competitors yank out opponents’ armpit hair."