Water Polo Rules

Introduction

The following information includes some main points from the water polo rules of play established by *FINA and enforced by USA Water Polo. It does not include rules for officials, field of play and equipment, and other technicalities.

The official water polo rules are covered in 25 sections (WP 1-25): Field of play and equipment, goals, the ball, caps, teams and substitutes, officials, referees, goal judges, timekeepers, secretaries, duration of the game, timeouts, start of play, scoring, restarts, throws, fouls, accidents and injuries. Water polo rules of play are covered in WP 11-25 and include:

• Duration of the game
• Timeouts
• Start of Play
• Scoring
• Restarts
• Throws
• Fouls

Water Polo Rules - Rule 11: Duration (WP 11)

• Duration of play is divided into four periods consisting of eight minutes of play per period, with short breaks in between.
• Play begins or resumes when a player touches the ball.
• Teams change ends before the third period, and before the second period of overtime.
• In the case of a tie, overtime is played after a five-minute interval, after which two, three-minute periods are played.
• An addition is settled with a penalty shoot-out. See rules for more details.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 12: Timeouts (WP 12)

• Two timeouts per team are allowed, with exceptions.
• Play is restarted by the team in possession of the ball by a whistle from the referee. See details for possible additional stops and restarts.
• At restart, players may take any position in the field of play as subject to the Rules.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 13: Start of Play (WP 13)

• The first team listed in the official program will start the game to left of the official table.
• The starting team will wear white caps or caps of the same color as its country.
• The other team wears blue or contrasting caps, and start at the right of the table.
• At the start of periods, players assume positions on the goal lines, with no more than two players between goal posts.
• Play begins with a whistle from the referee.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 14: Scoring Method (WP 14)

• A goal is scored when the ball has completely crossed the goal line between goal posts and underneath the cross bar.
• Goals may be scored from anywhere in the field of play, with exceptions.
• Goals may be scored with the use of any body part except for the clenched fist.
• At starts or restarts, at least two players must intentionally play or touch the ball, with exceptions.
• A goal is scored if, after 30 seconds of possession or at the end of a period, the ball is in the air and enters the goal.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 15: Restarting after a Goal (WP 15)

• After goals are scored, players must reposition within their playing halves.
• No player's body part may be beyond the half distance line at water level.
• Game restarts at the blow of the referee's whistle.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 16: Goal Throws (WP 16)

A goal throw is awarded when:

• The ball has completely passed over the goal line between posts and underneath the crossbar and was last contacted by a player other the defensive goalkeeper.
• The ball has passed over the goal line and strikes the goal posts, crossbar, or defending goalie.
• The goal throw is taken by any player of the team from anywhere within the two-meter area.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 17: Corner Throws (WP 17)

A corner throw is awarded when:

• The ball has completely crossed the goal line (but not between the goal posts or underneath the cross bar), and the ball was last touched by the defending goalkeeper.
• The defense player deliberately sends the ball over the goal line.

Additional points:

• A corner throw is taken by an offensive player from the two-meter mark on the side nearest the point at which the ball crossed the goal line.
• No offensive player may be within the two-meter area.
• Corner throws taken incorrectly will be retaken.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 18: Neutral Throws (WP 18)

• A neutral throw is awarded when, at the start of a period, a referee determines that the ball is positioned in a way that advantages a team.
• On a neutral throw, the referee must throw the ball into play at about the same position as when the event happened, and in a manner that doesn't advantage a team.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 19: Free Throws (WP 19)

• A free throw is taken where a foul occurs, with exceptions.
• The referee will determine how much time a player is allowed to complete a free throw.
• The awarding free throw team returns the ball to the free throw player.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 20: Ordinary Fouls (WP 20)

Any of the following offenses constitutes a foul, resulting in a free throw awarded to the non-offending team:

• Advancing the ball across the goal line before the whistle has been blown.
• Assisting a player at the start of the period or any other time during the game.
• Holding or pushing off from the goal posts or sides or ends of the pool during play.
• Playing while standing on the floor of the pool, walking in the pool, or jumping on the floor of the pool to play the ball or tackle an opponent.
• Taking or holding the ball underwater when it is tackled.
• Striking the ball with a clenched fist.
• Touching the ball with both hands at the same time to prevent an opponent who is not holding the ball from moving freely.
• Pushing off from an opponent who is not holding the ball.
• Being within two meters of an opponent's goal, with exceptions.
• Taking a penalty throw incorrectly.
• Intentionally delaying a free throw.
• Goalkeeper touches the ball illegally.
• Retaining possession of the ball for more than 30 seconds of play without shooting towards the goal.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 21: Exclusion Fouls (WP 21)

Any of the following constitutes an exclusion foul, resulting in a free throw awarded to the opponent, and exclusion of the player who committed the foul:

• A player leaving the water, sitting on the steps or side of the pool during play, with exceptions.
• A player interfering with the taking of free, goal, corner, or penalty throws.
• A player attempting to block a pass or shot with two hands outside the five-meter area.
• A player intentionally splashing an opponent's face.
• A player holding, sinking, or pulling an opponent who is not lifting, carrying, or touching the ball.
• A player intentionally kicking or striking an opponent or moving with intent to do so.
• A player is guilty of misconduct, as defined in the rules.
• A player behaves brutally, as defined in the rules.
• The defense goalie failing to assume a correct position on the goal line upon taking of penalty throw.
• An excluded player intentionally interferences in play.

Additional points:

• Should there be overtime, the duration of exclusions are carried over.
• See rules for handling simultaneous fouls and other details.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 22: Penalty Fouls (WP 22)

The following offenses constitute a penalty foul, resulting in a free throw awarded to the opponent:

• A defending player kicks, strikes, or commits act of brutality against an opponent.
• An excluded player intentionally interferes with play.
• The goalkeeper or other player moves the goal with intent to prevent a goal.
• An excluded player illegally enters play.
• The coach whose team is not in possession of the ball request a time out, or attempts to prevent a goal.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 23: Penalty Throws (WP 23)

• Penalty throws are taken by any player of an awarded team, except the goalkeeper, from any point on the opponents' five-meter line.
• All other players must leave the five-meter area and be at least two meters from the throwing player, who must immediately throw the ball at the goal without interruption.
• If the ball rebounds off the goal post or crossbar, it remains in play.
• If the referee sounds the whistle at the same time as the timekeeper, all players, except for the thrower and defending goalkeeper, must leave the water. If the ball rebounds, it is considered dead.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 24: Personal Fouls (WP24)

• Exclusion and penalty fouls are considered and recorded as personal fouls.
• A third personal foul results in exclusion for the remainder of games.

Water Polo Rules - Rule 25: Accident, Injury and Illness (WP25)

• A player may leave the game in cases of accident, injury, illness, or other with permission from the referee.
• A legally excluded player may reenter the game from the reentry point nearest his or her goal line.
• If a player is bleeding, the referee immediately orders the player out of the water and the player is then substituted.
• The injured player may only act as a substitute throughout the remainder of the game.
• The referee may suspend the game due to injury.
• The game is resumed when the possessing team puts ball back into play.

*FINA, which stands for Federation Internationale de Natation (French for International Swimming Federation) is the world governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee.