Book excerpt: Water polo was the first team sport to be added to the program of the Olympic Games, in 1900. This accessible volume chronicles the history of the fast-paced aquatic sport, its rules and regulations, playing techniques, and required skills, such as catching, wet and dry passing, and shooting. Both offensive and defensive plays are examined, as well as how points are scored. This handy narrative also explains player positions, the coach's responsibilities, and officials' tasks, and includes informative sidebars such as a comparison of American and English water polo and types of fouls.