Recently I was on an underwater rugby training. Yeah, well, you know, underwater. In many of my acquaintances, two questions were raised. One of them, how can we play rugby under water, and the other is that we have such a sport? Well, not only does it exist, but the team is currently preparing for this year's World Cup. But don't run that far forward. The answer to the firlst question is very simple. In addition to the deep pool, you need two gates, which in this case are a heavy basket, a ball filled with salt water, snorkel equipment, a cap, and the game can start. The point is that the ball must be brought to the opponent's gate, which is located at the bottom of the pool so that the ball cannot get above the surface of the water. At first it sounds like any ball game, but there is a significant difference. While at the football, handball you can move sideways, forward and back, the deep pool makes the whole game three dimensions. You can pass up and down as the ball struggles at the bottom of the pool and in the water. Exciting, spinning, all-moving sport. Anyone can start who can swim. In accordance with water sports, there is no heavy articular workout, yet it is a full-fledged workout, and our lungs also develop due to underwater exercises.
I've been thinking for a long time to try this because I've never used snorkel equipment and a fin, my swimming knowledge is basic, but it's worth going. The team members were helpful and provided the equipment for the rehearsal, and I only had to take bathing suits, slippers and towels. Almost anyone fits into the team. There are also younger, older, women and men, although unfortunately women were few. Of course, for the first time, I did not have to do the same exercises as the others, as I first had to learn the confident use of the equipment and adapt to the deep water.
Our current location is the five-meter deep tower jumping pool of the Danube Arena. The team of the Budapest UWR Tiszavirág Water Sports Association is training here today. The captain has already divided the players into two teams at the beginning of the training, white and blue, so that everyone can wear a swimsuit of the right color, without having to interrupt the training later. The workout started with a 800-meter warm-up swim, 400 meters without fins and 400 meters with a fin. After that, there were paired practices at the bottom of the pool. The training included attacking and defensive situational exercises to prepare for situations occurring during matches. Then the best thing was the coach match. From the edge of the pool I watched the game under water, which was an incredible experience for me. As if I had been part of the game, I could see the struggles and goals for the ball close up. The team is currently preparing for the World Championship in Graz two months later, but they are eager to see enthusiastic enthusiasts or prospective new team members for a rehearsal session. Anyone who likes to swim, loves spinning sports, I definitely recommend trying it out. The trainings are usually on Monday and Friday from 8pm in the Margaret Island Sports Center or Wednesday evening from 7pm in the Danube Arena. Have fun for everyone who tries this sport.
The homepage of the Hungarian UWR Team is:
www.uwr.hu