poolfort sport
A lighter type of Water Polo has been invented, so that even less fit swimmers can enjoy it.
PoolFort is Non-contact and Fun team sport. Less swimming – more scoring!
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE GAME OF POOLFORT
1. Swimming pool that is at least 12x24m in size.
2. Floaters for marking playing area which becomes 2 equal squares of about 8x16m in size connected by a centerline.
3. Targets in the center of each half-field that are sticking about 0.5 to 1m above water. Those targets can be on a platform anchored at the bottom of the pool or suspended from above.
4. One soft Water Polo ball.
5. Two teams of minimum 4 and maximum 10 players in each team.
6. Follow the PoolFort rules and method.
POOLFORT RULES AND METHOD
1. PoolFort is played with only one ball, between two teams.
2. One or two inner players of each team are positioned next to the targets in their half-field. The rest of the players are positioned outside the fields in such a way that inner players are surrounded by the opponents from 4 sides – as if “under siege”.
3. Aim of the game is to win points by knocking down the opponents’ targets with the ball. 1 point is awarded if at least one of the opponents’ targets is knocked down.
4. Inner players defend their targets from being hit, but they can also attack the opponents’ targets. If they knock down any of their own targets, their team loses a point.
5. When a point is won, the team that lost the point gets possession of the ball, and their inner player swaps places with one of their outer players. This can be done in a rotational manner, so every player gets a chance to play from each position.
6. There is no crossing lines of floater – all players only move within their zone. Players can’t touch the ball if it’s not within their zone.
7. Players can use any part of their body to control the ball, but they can only use their hands when passing the ball to their team-mates or shooting at the targets.
8. Players have to play fast and get rid of the ball within 5 seconds of possession – either to shoot at the target or to pass the ball across the field to another player.
9. Inner players are doing most of the swimming. They can demand a swap at any time – providing the ball is in possession of their team.
10. Game is finished when one of the teams reaches the score of 15. There has to be 2 points difference.
11. Teams swap fields for the second game.
11. A match is finished when 2 games have been won by a team.
12. When the score is 1:1 in games, the deciding third game needs to be played. For fairness, the teams swap fields when about mid game. The third game can be set to be shorter (e.g. up to score 10).
POOLFORT BENEFITS
1. Attractive to young people as it is very dynamic and exciting.
2. Attractive to older people as it is safe, non-contact and non-exhausting.
3. Rewarding as every throw is a chance to score a point. Many points, many misses, lots of laughter…
4. Fun to watch by by-standers.
5. Ideal for social gatherings as it is small in size but can accommodate 8-20 people playing together.
6. Medium intensity sport – improves fitness and prolongs life.
7. This is the story of a mermaids and mermen defending their fortress while “under siege”…
POOLFORT RULES VARIATIONS
1. The winning score can be set at another number rather than 15 for a game (e.g 10).
2. Two inner players per team and two balls may be introduced (recommended only for very skillful players).
2. The game can be played on time. The team that has the highest score at the end of the pre-set time – wins.
3. The “5 seconds rule” can be set to other number, e.g. 8. That means the player with the ball has to get rid of it within 8 seconds.
4. The size of the playing area can be adjusted to be bigger or smaller, depending on the skills of most of the players.
PoolFort is one of the sports patented under the name:
“Central Target Zone System” at IP Australia.