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Alright, everyone.
A game of Water Polo is divided into four seven minute quarters. A game clock counts down the time left in each quarter. A shot clock, which starts at 35 seconds, counts down the time that the offense has to shoot the ball on each possession. Both clocks stop immediately following a foul and do not start until the ball is put back into play. With the clock constantly stopping, and with the breaks between quarters, you can expect a water polo game to last over an hour.
Start of the game
At the beginning of each quarter, each team lines up on the goal line. Once the referee blows the whistle to signal the start of each quarter, the players sprint towards mid-pool, where the referee drops the ball. Whoever wins the sprint is the first to be on offense.
Offense and Defense
Players advance by swimming and passing the ball. With the exception of the goalie, they can only touch the ball with one hand at a time. Most offenses organize themselves into a similar configuration each time they prepare to score a goal. The offense surrounds the hole-set, who is positioned directly in front of the opponent’s goal. Perimeter players, also known as drivers, try to take a shot at the goal or attempt a wet-pass into the hole-set’a strategy called setting the hole. The hole-set shoots the ball if given the opportunity, but is often strategically fouled by the hole-guard, who chooses to foul the hole-set and force a free-pass, rather than allow him to shoot the ball. Immediately following a foul, there are three seconds of dead-time, in which the fouled player must put the ball in play. During dead-time, perimeter players drive towards the goal to either become available to take a shot, or ’draw a foul,’ which results in the defender’s exclusion from the game for 20 seconds. During the 20 second exclusion, the offensive team is in a power play that creates a high probability for scoring.
Scoring
A goal is scored once the ball completely passes over the goal line. If a goal is scored, the teams line up mid-pool and the non-scoring team takes possession of the ball.
Counter-attack and transition
The counter-attack is the transition between when the defensive team obtains possession of the ball and when it sets up its offense in front of its opponent’s goal. During the counterattack, the goalkeeper looks for an outlet to an open player downfield who either runs a fast break or sets up the offense.
Whistles and Fouls
Water polo is a physical sport. There is a considerable amount of contact under the water. Unlike many sports where play is stopped anytime a whistle blows or a foul is called, in water polo the speed of play often increases following a whistle.
Foul Types
There are three types of fouls: ordinary, exclusion, and penalty fouls.
Ordinary foul: Violation of minor rules. Results in free throw for fouled team. Accounts for the majority of the fouls in game. Examples include: Using two hands, impeding the movement or pushing off of an opponent, 2-meter violation; shot clock violation. Signaled by one whistle for defensive, two for offensive. Referee points in direction ball will be playing.
Exclusion foul (kickout): More serious violations of the rules. Often called for ’playing the player, not the ball.’ Results in the exclusion of a player until 20 seconds has passed, a goal is scored, or possession has changed. Examples include: interfering with a free throw or holding, sinking or pulling a player not ’holding’ the ball or committing an ordinary foul during dead time. Signaled by several consecutive whistles. Referee points at a player and then to the re-entry area.
Penalty foul (4-meter): Called inside the 4- meter line, in which a goal was probable if a foul had not been committed. Results in a penalty shot from the 4-meter line. An example is during a fast break attempt. When a defender sinks a player that has possession of the ball immediately in front of the goal. Signaled by a long whistle. Referee holds up four fingers.
Note: Fouls will not be called if the offensive player is holding the ball in hand. Often, a player who is holding the ball may be pulled, pushed, dunked, etc., and no foul is called. Although spectators may become upset, there is no foul to call until the player drops the ball.
So. Who's still interested in playing?
A game of Water Polo is divided into four seven minute quarters. A game clock counts down the time left in each quarter. A shot clock, which starts at 35 seconds, counts down the time that the offense has to shoot the ball on each possession. Both clocks stop immediately following a foul and do not start until the ball is put back into play. With the clock constantly stopping, and with the breaks between quarters, you can expect a water polo game to last over an hour.
Start of the game
At the beginning of each quarter, each team lines up on the goal line. Once the referee blows the whistle to signal the start of each quarter, the players sprint towards mid-pool, where the referee drops the ball. Whoever wins the sprint is the first to be on offense.
Offense and Defense
Players advance by swimming and passing the ball. With the exception of the goalie, they can only touch the ball with one hand at a time. Most offenses organize themselves into a similar configuration each time they prepare to score a goal. The offense surrounds the hole-set, who is positioned directly in front of the opponent’s goal. Perimeter players, also known as drivers, try to take a shot at the goal or attempt a wet-pass into the hole-set’a strategy called setting the hole. The hole-set shoots the ball if given the opportunity, but is often strategically fouled by the hole-guard, who chooses to foul the hole-set and force a free-pass, rather than allow him to shoot the ball. Immediately following a foul, there are three seconds of dead-time, in which the fouled player must put the ball in play. During dead-time, perimeter players drive towards the goal to either become available to take a shot, or ’draw a foul,’ which results in the defender’s exclusion from the game for 20 seconds. During the 20 second exclusion, the offensive team is in a power play that creates a high probability for scoring.
Scoring
A goal is scored once the ball completely passes over the goal line. If a goal is scored, the teams line up mid-pool and the non-scoring team takes possession of the ball.
Counter-attack and transition
The counter-attack is the transition between when the defensive team obtains possession of the ball and when it sets up its offense in front of its opponent’s goal. During the counterattack, the goalkeeper looks for an outlet to an open player downfield who either runs a fast break or sets up the offense.
Whistles and Fouls
Water polo is a physical sport. There is a considerable amount of contact under the water. Unlike many sports where play is stopped anytime a whistle blows or a foul is called, in water polo the speed of play often increases following a whistle.
Foul Types
There are three types of fouls: ordinary, exclusion, and penalty fouls.
Ordinary foul: Violation of minor rules. Results in free throw for fouled team. Accounts for the majority of the fouls in game. Examples include: Using two hands, impeding the movement or pushing off of an opponent, 2-meter violation; shot clock violation. Signaled by one whistle for defensive, two for offensive. Referee points in direction ball will be playing.
Exclusion foul (kickout): More serious violations of the rules. Often called for ’playing the player, not the ball.’ Results in the exclusion of a player until 20 seconds has passed, a goal is scored, or possession has changed. Examples include: interfering with a free throw or holding, sinking or pulling a player not ’holding’ the ball or committing an ordinary foul during dead time. Signaled by several consecutive whistles. Referee points at a player and then to the re-entry area.
Penalty foul (4-meter): Called inside the 4- meter line, in which a goal was probable if a foul had not been committed. Results in a penalty shot from the 4-meter line. An example is during a fast break attempt. When a defender sinks a player that has possession of the ball immediately in front of the goal. Signaled by a long whistle. Referee holds up four fingers.
Note: Fouls will not be called if the offensive player is holding the ball in hand. Often, a player who is holding the ball may be pulled, pushed, dunked, etc., and no foul is called. Although spectators may become upset, there is no foul to call until the player drops the ball.
So. Who's still interested in playing?