Water Polo Equipment List: 21 Items (with Pictures)

Water polo equipment list with all 21 items: the ball, colored swim caps with ear guards, a water polo swimsuit, mouthguard, goggles and towel.

Eight of those belong to the player. Seven are team gear such as a tactical board, cone markers and cap sets, and six describe the pool itself, from a playing area of the right depth to floating goals and the deck. The table below lists all twenty-one with the purpose of each one and who is expected to bring it.

21items in total

8carried by the player

13supplied by club and pool

Quick answers

What equipment do you need for water polo?: A swimsuit, a numbered cap with ear guards and a mouthguard. The ball, the goals and the pool belong to the club, so a beginner buys three things.
Why do water polo caps have ear guards?: The perforated plastic cups protect the eardrum from a shot or a stray arm, and they stay on because the cap is tied under the chin. Numbers and colors also tell the referee who is who, since a swimsuit shows nothing above the water.
What kind of swimsuit is used?: A high-neck one piece with a back zipper for women and a tight brief for men, both in chlorine resistant fabric. Loose suits are avoided because opponents grab them under the surface.
Do players wear goggles in a match?: No. Goggles are training gear only, since a hand to the face would push the frame into the eye socket. In matches players swim without them.
How deep is a water polo pool?: Deep enough that nobody touches the bottom, which is about 2 meters. That is why treading water, the eggbeater kick, is the first thing taught.

Water Polo Equipment at a Glance

Eight items are the player's own, seven belong to the coach or the team, and six are part of the pool. Everything a beginner has to buy sits in the first block.

Item	What it does	Who supplies it
Water polo ball	Textured, water reactant grip so it can be held in one hand	Player
Swim cap	Numbered, in team color, with ear guards and a chin tie	Player
Swimsuit	Tight chlorine resistant suit that gives an opponent nothing to grab	Player
Goggles	Training only, taken off for matches where a hand can hit the frame	Player
Mouthguard	Protects the teeth in a sport played with elbows underwater	Player
Ear guards	Perforated cups on the cap that shield the eardrum from a shot	Player
Towel	Two of them, since a session means getting out and back in	Player
Water bottle	Chlorinated water and hard swimming dehydrate faster than they feel	Player
Whiteboard and markers	Tactical board with the pool marked out for set plays	Coach
Cones and training aids	Deck markers for the 2 meter and 5 meter lines and the half distance	Coach
Goalie training equipment	Portable goal and ball sets for shooting and blocking drills	Coach
First aid kit	Scratches, split lips and the odd finger injury	Coach
Stopwatches	Shot clock drills and interval sets in training	Coach
Team uniforms	Two cap sets, dark and light, plus red caps for the goalkeepers	Coach
Equipment bags	Mesh bags so balls and wet caps drain instead of souring	Coach
Swimming poolsized for water polo	Full depth field of play, 25 by 20 meters for men	Facility
Floating goals	3 meters wide, anchored so they do not drift during play	Facility
Pool deck equipmentbenches, scoreboards	Team benches, the scorer's table and the shot clock displays	Facility
Spectator seating	Set back from the deck, clear of the referee's walking line	Facility
Locker rooms	Changing, showers and somewhere for wet kit to dry	Facility
Pool maintenance supplies	Chlorine, pH control and testing, because the water is the pitch	Facility

Equipment for Water Polo Players

#1 Water Polo Ball

The water polo ball is crucial for gameplay and skills practice, with a grippy texture that allows players to handle it with one hand. It is the centerpiece of the sport, necessary for passing, shooting, and scoring during a match.

Mikasa WP553C Game Ball

Size 5 game ball

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Size5, the men's match size
Coreprecision nylon wound
Coversmooth surface tuned for grip
Shippingarrives deflated
Usematches and club training

The whole design problem of a water polo ball is that it has to be palmed wet with one hand, which is why the cover is grippy rather than smooth like a soccer ball. It ships deflated, so a pump and a needle are needed on day one.

#2 Swim Cap

Swim caps are vital for reducing drag in the water and helping referees and spectators distinguish between different teams. Made of durable materials to withstand rough play, they often come with integrated ear guards to prevent ear injuries.

KAP7 Practice Cap

Single unnumbered cap

KAP7 No Number Water Polo Practice Cap (White)

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Numbersnone, practice version
MaterialPBT, chlorine resistant
Sold assingle cap
Colorsseveral bright options
Usetraining sessions

A practice cap is the one a player owns; the numbered match caps stay in the coach's bag. PBT is the same fiber as a good competition swimsuit and it survives chlorine far longer than latex.

#3 Swimsuit

Swimsuits designed specifically for water polo are made of robust materials to endure the sport’s physicality. They are tight-fitting to reduce drag and resist damage from grabbing, a common occurrence during matches.

Arena Water Polo One Piece

Closed back with zipper

ARENA Women’s Water Polo Swimsuit Training and Game One Piece Bathing Suit Water Sports Pool Accessories for Players, Navy/White, US Size 30

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FabricMaxLife Eco, chlorine resistant, UPF 50 plus
Backclosed, with a back zipper
Necklinehigh, thick straps
Legmedium cut
Recycled contentat least 50 percent of the polyester
SizesUS 30 upward

A water polo suit is cut for being grabbed: closed back, high neck, thick straps, nothing an opponent can pull down. The zipper is what makes a suit that tight possible to get into at all.

#4 Goggles

While goggles are not typically worn during matches, they are optional during training to protect the players' eyes from chlorine and improve underwater vision, which can be helpful during swim drills and warm-ups.

Speedo Vanquisher 2.0 Mirrored

Training goggle, mirrored lens

Speedo Unisex-Adult Swim Goggles Mirrored Vanquisher 2.0

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Lensmirrored, wide panoramic
Coatinganti-fog
ProtectionUVA and UVB
Sealsoft silicone gaskets
Strapsplit, adjustable

Goggles belong to the swimming half of the sport, the lane work and the conditioning sets, and they come off before a scrimmage. The mirrored lens is for outdoor pools, where the glare off the surface is the actual problem.

#5 Mouthguards

Mouthguards provide crucial protection against dental injuries, which can be frequent due to the sport’s contact nature. They absorb impacts and help mitigate the risk of concussions from accidental hits.

SISU Go Mouthguard

Thin, remoldable guard

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Profilelow, thin and flexible
Fittingcustom molded in hot water, remoldable
TechnologyDiffusix perforations that spread the impact
Free ofBPA, BPS, latex, PVC and phthalates
Listed forwater polo among other sports

A thin guard is worn because water polo players talk constantly in the water and a bulky boil and bite guard makes that impossible. It can be remolded if the fit goes wrong, which a standard guard cannot.

#6 Ear Guards

Ear guards are integrated into swim caps to protect players from ear injuries such as burst eardrums or "cauliflower ear," which can result from water impact or collisions with other players.

#7 Towel

A towel is essential for drying off after training or matches, helping maintain body temperature, and providing a dry surface to rest on between games. It is a basic yet indispensable part of a player’s kit.

#8 Water Bottle

Hydration is critical for water polo players to sustain energy levels, prevent cramps, and ensure peak performance. A water bottle allows easy access to fluids, which is especially important during intense training sessions and matches.

Equipment for Coaches and Teams

#1 Whiteboard and Markers

A whiteboard, with accompanying markers, is crucial for coaches to diagram plays and strategies during timeouts and practice sessions. It facilitates visual learning and allows for swift modifications to tactical plans, enhancing team communication and strategic comprehension.

ETISPORT Water Polo Tactical Board

Double sided, dry erase

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Size12.01 by 8.07 inches
Frontregulation water polo field in proportion
Backfield area with a three-dimensional view
Surfacedry erase markers
Extrasspace for club crest and coach name

A generic whiteboard does not show the 2 and 5 meter lines, which is where every water polo set play is drawn. The second side gives the goalkeeper view, so shooting angles can be explained without redrawing the pool.

#2 Cones and Training Aids

Cones and other training aids are invaluable for structuring drills that enhance players’ agility, stamina, and technique. They make workouts measurable and more effective, allowing for the simulation of in-game scenarios and the honing of specific skills necessary for competitive play.

KAP7 K7 Cone Marker

Deck marker for 2m and 5m

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Height18 inches
Materialhard plastic
Marksthe 2 meter and 5 meter lines
Stackableyes
Useindoor and outdoor decks

Deck cones are how a pool without painted lines becomes a legal field of play, since the 2 and 5 meter marks decide what is a foul and what is a penalty. Eighteen inches is tall enough to be seen from the water at eye level.

#3 Goalie Training Equipment

Goalie training equipment, including varied ball types, is vital for customizing practice to the unique demands of the goalkeeper position. Heavier balls can strengthen throws and lighter ones improve reactions, ensuring goalies are well-prepared to defend against shots in matches.

A11N Floating Goal Set

Portable goal with four balls

A11N Sports Floating Water Polo Goal Set – Large 4.7ft x 3.1ft Pool Net with 4 Balls – Fun Summer Backyard & Pool Game - Blue & Red

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Goal4.7 feet wide, 3.1 feet tall
Anchoring2 sealable bags filled with sand or water
Contents4 inflatable 6 inch balls and a pump
Frameheat resistant PVC with foam floats
Usehome pool and shooting practice

This is a home pool goal, roughly half the width of a regulation one, which makes it a shooting target rather than a match goal. The stabilizer bags matter, because an unanchored floating goal drifts away after the second shot.

#4 First Aid Kit

A robust first aid kit is essential for any team to manage injuries and emergencies during training or games. Stocked with supplies for treating common sports injuries, it's a key resource for providing immediate care, minimizing the impact of injuries, and keeping players safe.

#5 Stopwatches

Stopwatches are a fundamental tool for coaches to track performance times and conduct timely drills. They're indispensable in increasing player endurance, optimizing training regimens, and managing game and shot clocks during competitive situations.

#6 Team Uniforms

Team uniforms not only enhance the professional appearance of the squad but also foster unity and team spirit among players. They are essential for clearly identifying teammates during fast-paced, dynamic play and for representing the team and its values.

FORZA Water Polo Cap Set

13 numbered caps per team

FORZA Water Polo Caps [Blue/White Team] | Set of 13 Numbered Caps [Includes Red Goalkeeper Caps] - One Size Fits All Premium Water Polo Team Cap Set (Blue)

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Contents13 caps, numbered 1 to 13
Goalkeepersred caps included
Ear guardsbuilt into every cap
Fitone size, adjustable ties
Colorssupplied as a blue and white team set

In water polo the cap is the uniform, because everything below the shoulders is underwater. A club needs two sets in contrasting colors plus the red goalkeeper caps, which is exactly how these are packed.

#7 Equipment Bags

Equipment bags are necessary for organizing and transporting all the gear required for water polo matches and practices. They keep items such as balls, caps, and personal belongings together, ensuring that coaches and players are ready and equipped for any water polo event.

Equipment for Facilities

#1 Swimming Pool (sized for water polo)

A swimming pool designed for water polo is a basic requirement for the sport, with appropriate dimensions and depth to ensure optimal gameplay. Regulation water polo pools must facilitate free movement for players and referees, making them a foundational component of any water polo facility.

#2 Floating Goals

Floating goals are essential in water polo, defining the scoring area for each team. They must be sturdy and well-anchored to maintain position throughout the game, allowing precise aiming for players and clear scoring opportunities, which are central to the competitive integrity of the sport.

#3 Pool Deck Equipment (benches, scoreboards)

Pool deck equipment, like benches and scoreboards, is necessary for coordinating and viewing the game. Benches provide rest and strategy areas for players and coaches, while scoreboards offer real-time updates on the score and game time, ensuring everyone is informed during play.

#4 Spectator Seating

Spectator seating is crucial for accommodating audiences during water polo matches. It provides a designated space for fans to watch the game comfortably and safely, fostering a supportive environment for teams and enhancing the overall excitement and atmosphere of the sport.

#5 Locker rooms

Locker rooms offer players and coaches a private area for preparation before games and rest during intervals. They are required for storing personal belongings, changing into uniforms, and strategizing in a secure space. Properly equipped locker rooms contribute to the players’ comfort and focus.

#6 Pool Maintenance Supplies

Pool maintenance supplies ensure that the water polo facility remains clean, safe, and ready for use. These include water treatment chemicals, cleaning tools, and filtration systems. Regular maintenance preserves optimal water quality and playing conditions, preventing health hazards and ensuring the pool's longevity.

FAQ

What is the equipment you need to play Water Polo?

A water polo ball, swim cap, swimsuit, and goals are the equipment you need to play Water Polo. This equipment is essential to practice the sport properly and safely.

What is the most important equipment in Water Polo?

The water polo ball is the most important equipment in Water Polo, as it is essential for all aspects of the game including passing, scoring, and gameplay.

What is a recommended list of Water Polo equipment for beginners?

Here's a recommended list of Water Polo equipment for beginners: a water polo ball, comfortable swimsuit, swim cap (to protect your ears and identify your team), and a pair of goggles for eye protection. These basic items will help new players get started with training and matches.

Track and Field Equipment List: 22 Items (with Pictures)