After nearly 15 years of teaching in California schools, Cory Olcott returned east to earn a master of education from Harvard University and train as a school principal. Outside of the classroom, Cory Olcott previously coached collegiate women’s water polo teams.

1. A Brief Overview of Water Polo
By Cory Olcott

2. Introduction

After nearly 15 years of teaching in California
schools, Cory Olcott returned east to earn a master
of education from Harvard University and train as a
school principal. Outside of the classroom, Cory
Olcott previously coached collegiate women’s water
polo teams.

A physically demanding team sport, water polo is
played entirely in the water. Two teams of seven
players each face off and attempt to score points by
throwing the ball into a goal. The playing field is laid
out similar to a soccer or hockey field, except that it
is much shorter—30 meters long for men and 25 for
women.

3. About Water Polo

Each team fields a goalkeeper and six field players.
Players pass the ball among themselves and try to
score by throwing the ball into the goal. The goal
typically has an opening that measures three meters
wide and almost a meter high, but the height of the
goal can be greater in shallower pools.
A great deal of physical contact takes place in water
polo. While injuries are not uncommon, they are not
generally severe.