Background[]
- From the Collegiate Water Polo Association/sportsmanship program
Insights[]
Understanding the Game of Water Polo[]
Water Polo can be a confusing game for spectators. The whistle is constantly blowing and the play never stops, even when someone is ejected for a penalty. In addition, there are many misconceptions about the game, including how the players keep their horses swimming.
The following information is here to make your game-viewing experience a little bit clearer!
General Information
1. Each team has six field players and a goalie.
2. Field players can only use one hand to touch the ball, goalies two.
3. The game consists of four quarters and the clock stops on the whistle. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the teams play two three-minute overtime periods. If it is still tied, the game goes into sudden victory. A typical game lasts about an hour and ten minutes.
4. The object of the game is to score by placing the ball completely in the goal. Players may move the ball by swimming or passing.
5. Teams may substitute after a goal is scored, during a time-out, or during the play from the ejection area.
6. Each team receives three time-outs and one 30-second time-out per game.
7. Shots blocked out of bounds by defensive players result in the defensive team receiving possession. If a defender uses two hands to block a shot, the offensive team receives a penalty shot.
Types of Fouls When an infraction of the rules occurs, the referee will point in the direction of the team taking possession, while blowing the whistle. The ball is put back into play with an action called a free throw. This means the player gets three seconds of free time to throw the ball to another teammate or swim it up the pool. A player cannot shoot his free throw unless outside the five-meter line. If the ball is not put into play within three seconds, the other team takes possession.
Fouls can be ordinary or major.
Ordinary fouls are best understood as minor fouls. For example, a defender may reach over an opponent's back to get at the ball while facing away from the goal. The penalty for an ordinary foul is a free throw for the opposing team.
Major fouls are more severe and are penalized accordingly. For example, when a defender fouls an opponent too aggressively, or from behind when the opponent is facing the goal, the defender is ejected for 20 seconds. (Players may reenter if their team recovers the ball before the ejection time is up, or if the opposing team scores).
When the foul occurs within five meters of the goal and the referee believes the player had a high chance of scoring, the opposition shoots a penalty shot.
Major fouls can also occur through disrespect to the referee or when a player interferes with an opponent's free throw. Players may only receive three major fouls before elimination.
The easiest way to follow the play is by watching the scoreboard. If your team is ahead at the end, great! If not, well consider that you have expanded your horizons. When the game is over, you can at least explain to your friends that the horses never get wet.