[Water Polo] Rules

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Rules

See below our brief introduction to the rules of water polo. Click on the following link: A Spectators Guide To Water Polo to learn more about the rules of the game.

FIELD OF PLAY
In a 25 meter, six- (or eight-) lane pool, the entire pool constitutes the field of play. In larger pools, the perimeter of the field of play may be indicated by lane lines. The maximum size of the field of play is 25 meters long by 20 meters wide.

DURATION
A typical match is played over 4 quarters of 7 minutes actual playing time. The playing clock stops when play stops.

PLAYERS
Each team must have seven players (six field players and one goalkeeper) in the water when the game starts.

FOULS

Ordinary Foul
Examples include:
Touching the ball with two hands (does not apply to goalkeeper inside of the 5-meter zone).
Walking on or pushing off the bottom of the pool (does not apply to the goalkeeper inside of the 5-meter zone).
Impeding a player who is not holding the ball.
Throwing the ball out of the field of play.
Failing to take a shot within 30 seconds (letting the shot clock expire).

Exclusion Foul
Examples include:
Holding, sinking, or pulling back a player who is not holding the ball.
Interfering with the taking of a free throw.
Splashing water in an opponent player’s face.

Penalty Foul

Any offence within the 5-meter zone that prevents a team from scoring a “probable goal”.