A Spectator's Guide to Water Polo
The basic idea of water polo is similar to that of basketball. In both sports, you advance the ball by passing and dribbling to a point close enough to allow you to take a shot and score. Water polo differs from basketball, in that the goal is quite large (10'x 3'), the goal is defended by a goaltender, field players can only use one hand to control the ball, and may not push off the bottom of the pool to affect play. In addition, players in possession of the ball may be "tackled" by an opponent and he is not permitted to defend himself. "Possession" is defined as touching or holding the ball with the palm of the hand.
TEAMS: Seven players make up a team, one of which is designated the goalie.
THE PLAYER: May not touch the ball with two hands. May not stand or push off the bottom or sides of the pool to enter or participate in play. May not defend himself when in possession of the ball.
REFEREE: The referee has complete control of the game.
THE PLAY: The object of the game is to score a goal by moving the entire ball past the mouth of the goal.
TIME: The game is divided into four periods of six minutes each. There will be a two-minute break between quarters and a five-minute break between halves. Each team shall be given three time outs lasting two minutes each. If the score is tied at the end of regular play, two three-minute periods of overtime will be played until a winner is determined.
STARTING A PERIOD: The players must start each period by lining up along the goal line of their respective ends. The game begins when the referee blows his whistle. The players swim after the ball that is placed in the sprint lane at halfway.
AFTER A GOAL: The players must line up in their half of the pool, with possession of the ball being given to the team having not last scored. The ball is put in play by the center forward passing the ball back behind his line of play.
GOAL THROWS: A goal throw is taken by the defending team, and occurs when the offensive team throws or deflects the ball past the goal line and does not score.
TWO METER OR CORNER THROW: A corner throw is taken at the two-meter line on the side of the pool designated by the referee. It is taken by the offense when the defending team deflects the ball over the goal line.
ORDINARY OR TECHNICAL FOULS: It is a foul ...
• To take active part in the game while standing, walking or jumping from the bottom or sides of the pool.
• To hold the ball underwater when "tackled" or touched by another player.
• To strike the ball with a clenched fist (except the goalie).
• To splash an opponent in the face.
• To deliberately hold, sink, or impede the movement of a player who is not holding the ball. If the player fouled has position of offensive advantage, it is considered a personal foul.
• To touch the ball with both hands at the same time
• To be within two meters of the opponent's goal line without the ball.
• To retain possession of the ball for longer than 35 seconds and not shoot at the goal.
FREE THROW: A free throw is awarded to the opposing team after an ordinary foul has been committed. The free throw will be taken at the spot of the foul within three seconds of when the ball is picked up. You may not score form the free throw and the defense must remain two yards away and may not interfere with the free throw.
PERSONAL OR MAJOR FOUL: It is a foul...
• To hold, sink or pull back an opponent who is moving to a position of offensive advantage or is inside the four-meter line and is not holding the ball.
• To commit an ordinary foul before the ball is put back into play, after a free throw, goal throw, or corner throw has been called. This type of foul is commonly known as a "dead-time" foul and is a very important part of offensive strategy.
• To kick or strike an opponent or attempt to kick or strike an opponent.
• To refuse obedience or to show disrespect to the referee.
• To be guilty of misconduct (Violence, foul language and unsportsmanlike conduct).
• To interfere with a free throw.
• To over-aggressively foul an opponent
• To illegally re-enter the game.
The penalty for a personal foul committed by the defense shall be a free throw from the spot of the foul for the offensive team and ejection from the game for the guilty defensive player. The defensive player is ejected for 20 seconds or until the ball is turned over to the defensive team.
If a personal foul is committed by the defense inside the four-meter area with the intention of stopping a goal from being scored, a penalty shot shall be awarded.
The penalty for a personal foul committed by the offense results in a turnover and free throw for the defense. The most common types of offensive fouls are pushing off from the defender, holding the defender, and swimming over the defender on a drive towards the goal.
If a player receives three personal fouls, he shall be ejected from the game with a substitute allowed.
*Understanding all the whistles and fouls involved in water polo is a difficult task for the inexperienced spectator. It might help to remember that when the whistle blows, the game is still being actively played and does not stop because a foul has occurred. Also keep in mind that 95% of the fouls are going to be called against the defense and that the referee is not going to call fouls that would hurt the offense by taking away an advantage that they may have earned. If a player is held, sunk or pulled back on the perimeter, and the ball is being worked by a player on the inside who could score, the perimeter foul may not be called. The overall concept of calling fouls becomes even more difficult when the pool becomes crowded with movement, and people are working for position.