PLAY
– all ages. A certain level of fitness is essential and
a whole range of exercises are useful to prepare
for the game. Breath-hold (apnea) training, as used
in freediving, is a key skill. This is much safer to
practise out of the pool than in. Static (stationary)
and dynamic (while moving/exercising) apnea are
both useful in order to increase one’s breath-holding
capability. It is strongly recommended to learn these
skills in a controlled training environment, either on
a freediving course, many of which are available, or
with your local “octopush” club.
A certain level of fitness is
essential and a whole range
of exercises are useful to
prepare for the game
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
03
04
The real skill of the game is judging when to dive.
It can take just a few seconds to tackle an opponent
and pass the puck to a teammate, and then surface
for a well-earned breath. There are 10 people in each
team with only six being allowed in the water at any
one time. This necessitates another aspect of the
game, which is very quick substitutions.
SDOP
20
There are many competitions in club calendars,
for example those locally run by many underwater
hockey clubs, to student, junior and full-on
national championships.
If you want to get involved in this exciting sport,
which improves and maintains fitness levels, includes
positive team work and teaches new skills, then
check out your local “octopush” club, where you
will no doubt get a very warm welcome. The added
benefit is that pretty much all
of these activities will improve
03, 04 Players alternate
your diving skills and, not least,
air breaks with
it is great fun. SDOP
teammates
Here are some links to try or just look up your local club online:
Stirling Underwater Hockey Club, Singapore:
www.suhc.wordpress.com
Underwater Hockey Australia: underwaterhockeyaustralia.org.au
The Bristish Octopush Association: www.gbuwh.co.uk
Philippine Underwater Hockey Federation: www.puhc.com.ph
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