A Brief Guide to Water Polo

Here is a brief introduction to the rules of Water Polo, put together by Scott (and Geoff, although he is sleeping while I'm busy doing all the work). Remember, these are just the basic rules, to help give you an understanding of the game. The pictures were taken from the official rules of US Water Polo. At the bottom of the page are links to the official rules and interpretations of the official rules.

Definitions:

Minor Foul - The whistle is blown once and play stops. If the player who is fouled has the ball, they get a free throw. If the player who is fouled is a defender, they are awarded the ball and get a free throw. The referee will point to the player who has the free throw with one arm and the direction of the team with the other.

Major Foul - The whistle is blown twice. Play stops, and the player who commits the foul gets ejected for 20 seconds. This usually happens to a defensive player. The referee will point to the player who commits the foul (and blow the whistle), and point to the ejection area (and blow the whistle again).

Brutality - A brutality is called when a player kicks or strikes (or attempts to kick or strike) an opponent or official with malicious intent. The player who is charged with a brutality is excluded from the rest of the game.

Important Rules:

1. Players can touch the ball with only ONE HAND
2. Players cannot stand on the bottom of the pool. (This is not entirely true, but it is the way we will play).
3. Players are allowed only TWO major fouls during a game. On the third, the player is ejected.
4. If a defender interferes with a free throw, it is a MAJOR foul (ejection).
5. If a defender puts two hands up in an attempt to stop a player from shooting or to block a shot.

Examples of Minor Fouls:

1. When a player pushes off the side of the pool (or the bottom).
2. A "False Start" at the beginning of play.
3. Holding the ball under water (even if the defensive player is holding your arm down):

4. Touching the ball with two hands.
5. Hitting the arm or body of an offensive player who has the ball:

6. Hitting the ball with a clenched fist.
7. Pushing off of a defensive player:

8. When a player is within 2 meters of their opponent's goal (and the ball is behind them). (This is considered off-sides).
9. When the player throws the ball out of bounds.
10. If the team keeps the ball for more than 35 seconds (the length of the shot clock) without taking a shot on goal.

Examples of Major Fouls:

1. If the offensive player intentionally comes in contact with the defensive player:

2. Holding on to the offensive player:

3. Interfering with a free throw:

4. Sinking a player:

5. Misconduct (foul language, etc.)
6. Leaving the ejection area illegally.
7. A field player putting two hands up to attempt to block a shot.

Examples of Referee Signals:

Ball Under           Minor foul

Single ejection   Double ejection           Jump ball

US Water Polo Rules

These are the official US Water Polo Rules in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Here you will find the complete (often wordy and unintelligible) rules for Water Polo. You need to have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Click here for the rules.

Official Interpretations of the US Water Polo Rules

Here you will find interpretations to some of the rules. They may or may not help you understand the rules. Don't worry if these seem overwhelming, they are. Click here for the officiating manual/interpretations.

A Guide To Understanding Water Polo

A little introduction to the game of Water Polo on the USWP website. Click here for a quick introduction.

There is more information to be found at the USWP site.

Illustrations from the USWP rulebook.

Last modified: January 06, 2009