A Summary of the Rules of Water Polo

A Summary of the Rules of Water PoloGames of school water polo are played in 4 quarters of 7 minutes each running time (non-stop).Some Exclusion Fouls (Punishment: Exclusion for 20 seconds)ƒ Fouls are usually called when the offended player doesn’t have the ball. Players with theball are fair game, except in blatant acts of brutality, or if the player is within the 5 metrearea and the referee believes a goal would have been scoredƒ A player with 3 major fouls is excluded from the rest of the game and may be replaced,except in cases of brutality where no substitution allowedHolding or sinking anopponent (unless theyhave possession of theball)Pulling back an opponent (unless theyhave possession of the ball)Interfering with a free throw, goal throw, or corner throwStriking an opponent – depending on whether this isdeliberate or not, the punishment could be exclusionfor 20 seconds, or for the remainder of the gamewithout replacement8Figures reproduced with the kind permission of Australian Water Polo

The Scots College Water Polo Players Guide 2011–12Some Minor Fouls (Punishment: Free Throw)ƒ Taking the ball under water, even if an opponent forces your hand underƒ Hitting the ball with a clenched fist – except the goalkeeperƒ Touching the ball with both hands – except the goalkeeperƒ Standing on the bottom of the pool– except the goalkeeperƒ 2 metre violation – a player within 2 metres of the opponent’s goal line, but is notbehind the line of the ballƒ Impeding – pushing, pushing off from, or retarding the free limb movement of anopponent who has not gained an offensive advantage and who is not holding the ballPushing off an opponent, using either a hand or footImpeding – pushing an opponentbackwards with the headImpeding – swimming over the legsImpeding – blocking an opponentfrom getting the ballImpeding – forcing an opponent away togain more space

Impeding, or the prevention of the free movement of an opponent, canonly occur when the player is not holding the ball. Swimming with theball (dribbling) is not considered holding the ballFigures reproduced with the kind permission of Australian Water Polo