Introduction to water polo

What is Water Polo?

Water polo is a fast-paced, thrilling team sport. Played in a pool, it’s a game that demands both physical and mental strength, teamwork, and strategy. Teams are made up of six field players and one goalkeeper, with the objective to score goals by throwing the ball into the opponent’s net.

For a quick and comprehensive overview of the game, watch this 4-minute video that explains the basics of water polo.

Basic Rules of Water Polo

The Game Structure: A standard water polo match consists of four quarters, each lasting between six to eight minutes, depending on the level of play. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.

The Pool: The playing area is generally between 20 to 30 meters long and 10 to 20 meters wide. The depth is usually around 2 meters, making it impossible to touch the bottom, so players must tread water throughout the game - learning the "eggbeater kick" is essential.

• White – goal line – the ball must pass completely inside this line to be called a goal.
• Red – 2m box – offensive team cannot go any closer to the goal without the ball.
• Yellow – 5m line – where penalty shots are taken from.
• Centre – where players must return to their side of the centre line after a goal is scored.

Positions:

• Goalkeeper: The only player allowed to touch the ball with both hands, whose primary job is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
• Field Players: Typically divided into drivers, wings, and center forward, each with specific roles, from scoring goals to defending against attacks.

Ball Handling: Players can only handle the ball with one hand at a time, except the goalkeeper, who can use both. The ball can be passed, swum with, or shot at the goal.

Fouls: Water polo is a contact sport, fouls are common and part of the game similar to other sports like soccer or basketball. These are the different types of fouls

• Ordinary Fouls: These are minor infractions, resulting in a free throw for the opposing team. A common example is impeding an opponent who is not holding the ball.
• Exclusion Fouls: More serious fouls lead to a player being excluded from the game for 20 seconds, giving the opposing team an extra player advantage.
• Penalty Fouls: A penalty throw is awarded when a major foul is committed inside the 5-meter area directly preventing a probable goal.

Game Time: Water polo is played in 4 quarters, the duration of which depends on the age group and gender. Typical quarter durations are between 5-7 minutes "actual time" (where the clock is stopped when the whistle blows) or 7-8 minutes "running time" (where the clock continues to run).

The Shot Clock: Similar to basketball, teams have 30 seconds to take a shot at the goal. If the shot clock runs out, the opposing team gains possession of the ball.

Referees

Water polo is officiated by two referees who work together to ensure the game is played fairly and safely. Positioned on either side of the pool, the referees watch for rule violations and manage the flow of the game. They are responsible for calling fouls, awarding free throws, and ensuring that the match adheres to the official rules. Their decisions help maintain the fast-paced and dynamic nature of water polo, ensuring that all players compete in a fair and respectful environment.

Teams

There are up to 13 players in each team, with 6 field players and a goal keeper in the water and the remainder on the bench with the coach.

At the beginning of the match one team will be "white" and the other "blue", this denotes the colour caps that the players will wear, except for the goal keepers who wear red caps. These caps have ear guards to protect from perforated ear drums, and must be worn and tied up at all times in the game.

Players will swap caps to substitute in and out of the goal keeping position, which is cap number 1. Otherwise players usually have the same cap number for a team throughout the season.

Why Play Water Polo?

Water polo is not just about the physical aspect; it’s also about developing strong teamwork, quick thinking, and resilience. It’s a sport that builds character, discipline, and camaraderie among teammates. At RiverCity, we emphasize fun, friendships, and personal growth as part of your water polo journey.

Ready to Dive In?

At RiverCity, we welcome players of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re aiming to compete at a high level or just want to enjoy the game and stay fit, there’s a place for you in our club.