Water polo is a water sport in which two teams compete. Water polo is one of the fast growing sports. If you are looking to play or watch a water polo game it is important that you understand the rules for it. They are fairly simple to follow but you won't understand the game completely without knowing all the rules.
Usually teams consist of 12 players. There are 14 players in the pool at once: seven from each team. Six of which are field players and one person from each team is the goalie. Each player plays both defense and offense except the goalie who never goes on the other end of the pool. The visiting team often wears numbered white caps while the home team wears blue caps. The goalies wear a red cap with the number one on it. Substitutes can enter at the side of the pool or at the place where their bench is at anytime. If the game is not in play at the moment they may enter and exit from any area.
The game consists of four quarters much like that of a basketball game. The game clock stops for certain things. It stops when a foul is committed, when free throws are taken, and when a goal is scored. All in all the average length of time per period is about 12 minutes. Players cannot have control over the ball for more than thirty seconds without trying to shoot for a goal. If possession is held by one team for more than thirty seconds without trying for a goal, the other team gets the ball. Each time the ball is shot the 30 second clock gets restarted. Each team receives two 1 minute time outs and one additional one if the game happens to go into an overtime. A timeout can only be called when your team has control of the ball, otherwise you must wait till you do.
The size of the pool in which the game is played can vary but the depth must always be at least 6 feet deep. If it is not possible to play with this size pool there are exceptions such as if they are younger kids or that type of pool is just not available. The goals are fairly wide and high. There is a white line across the center of the pool. There is a five meter line used for taking free throw shots. There is also a two meter line which is red and players of the opposing team can't be in front of that line unless they are holding on to the ball.
There is one goalie from each team that stands at each end of the pool. The goalie is the only person that can touch the ball with two hands at one time. They are also the only players that can stand up if the water permits it. Goalies can never go on the other end of the pool.
Players move the ball around by throwing it to their teammates with one hand or guiding the ball in front of them with their bodies while they are swimming. If a player is being tackled they may not throw the ball under water - it is against the rules. You cannot push or hold a player unless they have the ball. Fouls happen often in the game. The only time players get to shoot free throws when they are fouled is if they are across the 5 meter line. If a player is fouled before the 5 meter line they can either shoot or pass it to a teammate.
A goal is counted only if it goes between the goal post and under the crossbar. If the ball hits off of a goal post and back into play, the shot clock is reset and players resume playing. If the ball goes out of bounds, play goes to the opposing team. If the goalie touched the ball or if a player purposely threw the ball out of bounds than play remains with the team that shot it and they get a corner throw from the two meter line much like in soccer. If the shot is blocked by the goalie, play continues.
There are various positions in water polo. Yet all players except the goalie play both offense and defense. Water polo is a game that requires stamina and of course some type of swimming experience. It requires the player to be alert at all times ready for the ball, especially because plays can happen fast. The player with the most points at the finish of the game wins.
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