How to Watch Water Polo

A Beginners Guide

The Game

Water polo can best be described as contact football in a pool, in which athletes use their arms instead of their feet, to throw the ball into the opponent's goal. Each team has up to 13 players, of which 7 can be in the water at any time. 1 of the players must be the goal keeper, whose duties are the same as in football. The game is played over 4 periods of 7 minutes. The clock is stopped every time there is a foul so this results in most games lasting for about an hour.

Play begins with both teams lined up at their representative ends. The players then sprint for the ball which is dropped into the pool by the referee on the half way line.

Players move the ball by passing it through the air to a team mate, or by swimming with the ball (dribbling). Outfield players may only touch the ball with one hand, however the goalie can use both hands to save an opponents shot.

Each team has 35 seconds to shoot the ball at the goal; this is similar to the shot clock in basketball. If a team fails to make a shot at the end of 35 seconds possession is conceded.

Play is extremely physical, and the top players are among the world's best-conditioned athletes, swimming constantly throughout the game while battling an opponent for possession of the ball. Many top players start their careers as competitive swimmers. Players use an eggbeater kick to stay afloat as it is illegal to touch the bottom of the pool (with the exception of the goal keeper who may stand in shallow pools).

Goals count for one point, and scores can often run in the teens in this fast-paced game.

Fouls are very common in water polo; the referee signals a foul by blowing the whistle and giving the appropriate hand signal. There are 3 main types of foul,

• A normal foul, these account for 90% of all fouls and results in a free throw.

•  An exclusion foul (or major foul), where a player is excluded from the game for 20 seconds for impeding the opponent when they had a clear attacking advantage. If a player gets excluded three times he can not re-enter the game.

•  A penalty throw, this occurs when an exclusion foul has taken place that has stopped a clear goal scoring opportunity within 4 metres of the opponent's goal.

Fouls are usually only called if the player does not have hold of the ball, players holding the ball can be fouled. Normal fouls include:

•  Impeding, pushing, pushing off from, holding, sinking or preventing the movement of a player who does not have hold of the ball.

•  Taking the ball under the water whilst been challenged by an opponent.

•  Hitting the ball with a clenched fist.

•  Touching the ball with both hands.

Exclusion fouls include:

•  Over aggressive fouling, including any foul to the head, neck or face. If the foul is deemed to be with intent of causing bodily harm then the player is excluded for the rest of the game without a substitution.

•  Splashing.

•  Tackling a player while he/she is taking a free throw.

Because of the physical nature of water polo, most players wear two swimming costumes in case one is ‘accidentally' ripped off. They also wear caps, this enables player identification and the plastic ear guards protect the ear drum from any possible injury.

Water polo glossary

•  The advantage rule, the cornerstone of water polo. This allows the referee to refrain from giving a foul if it's in the advantage of the attacking team.

•  2 metre line (marked in red). No attacking player can enter this area unless, he carries the ball into it, or the ball has already been passed into the area.

•  4 metre line (marked in yellow). This is where a penalty shot is taken from and also marks the area, inside of which, a penalty can be given.

•  7 metre line (marked in green). A player can shoot directly (without passing it) from outside this mark after a foul has been given. If they are inside, a pass must be made.

•  Half way line, this is usually marked in white.

•  Substitutions. These may occur between periods, after a goal, during a time out or to replace an excluded player as well as during normal play. There is no limit to the number of times a player can be substituted in and out of a game.

•  Man-up/man-down, when a defensive player is excluded and the attacking team has an extra player for 20 seconds.

•  Holding, sinking, grabbing and/or pulling back a player who has hold of the ball is not a foul. As long as it is not done in a dangerous manner that may result in injury.

•  Drive, a quick swimming movement towards the oppositions goal.

•  Drop or zone defence, where defensive players drop to protect the goal, this is common if the opposition have a strong centre forward. The defence then force the shot from a greater distance giving the goal keeper a better chance of saving the ball.

•  Exclusion area, an area behind the goal line and on the opposite side of the pool from the table officials, where an excluded player waits to return to the game.

•  Corner throw, this is the same as in other sports except it is taken from the 2-metre line as attacking players are not allowed inside the 2 metre area.

The basic rules of play are explained above and teams tend to adopt systems with which to attack or defend.

These follow similar lines to basketball.

In defence teams either press man for man, or adopt a zone system, whereby each player defends a zone of the pool and tries to block any shots on goal. The zone system is used frequently when there is a strong centre forward (who tends to adopt the position on 2 metres in front of goal), and the defence is trying to prevent the ball in reaching the centre forward (pit-man). In such a situation, if the ball does reach the pit-man then a major foul usually results, and the attacking team then have a man-up situation for 20 seconds.

In attack teams either play a static game – passing the ball around the arc and looking for opportunities to play the pit-man or shoot, or a driving game – play revolves around players driving from the back of the arc towards the goal and then forcing the ball to the driving player. This play usually forces the referee to make a decision as to whether the attacking player is being impeded etc and can often result in goals, man-ups etc.

Teams usually employ a mix of zones, presses, static play and driving play during any individual game.

Closely contested games commonly end with a single goal dividing the teams and a score of 8-7 would be typical.

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