Generally speaking, Waterpolo is a simple game.  Two teams of seven in the pool at one time attempt to push, carry or throw the ball into the opponents’ goal.  A goal is worth one point and the average result for a close game between senior players is around 8-6 or 9-7.  

The game is played over four quarters and allowing for stoppages, the normal game for senior players takes about one hour.  In this tournament we will play 2 chukkas of eleven minutes each and no time out will be allowed.  The rule applies to the play-off game, quarterfinals, semi-finals and the final.  

Apart from the goalkeeper, the only real specialist positions are Centre Forward and Centre Back, but all field players try to become competent in all areas of the game, in attack and defense.  

WATERPOLO BY-LAWS FOR THE TOURNAMENT ARE PRINTED IN ITALICS    

Click here for a full listing of Water Polo Rules

THE POOL

The dimensions for men are 30 metres long and 20 metres wide.  For women it is 25 metres by 17 metres.  The ideal depth is 2 metres or more.  The King Edward VII School Waterpolo pool is 24 metres long and 20 metres wide and 2 metres deep.

 

THE GOALS

The posts must be 3 metres apart.  The underside of the cross bar must be  900cm above the water surface if the water is 1,5 metres deep or deeper.  If the pool is shallower than 1,5 metres then the cross bar must be 2,4 metres from the bottom of the pool.

 

THE CAPS

One team must wear white caps and other team must wear caps of a contrasting colour other than solid red or yellow.  Goalkeepers must wear red caps.  The caps must be numbered on both sides.

 

THE TEAMS

Each team shall consist of seven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper, and no more than six reserves.

 

SUBSTITUTES

 

A player must be substituted during the intervals or after a goal has been scored, or during a time-out.  A player may also be substituted at any time by leaving the field of play at the re-entry box.

 

OFFICIALS

Ideally there should be two referees, two goal judges, a timekeeper and a secretary.

 

REFEREES

The referees are in absolute control of the game.  All decisions are final although they may be altered before the ball is in play again.  They have the power to order any player, official or spectator from the precincts of the pool if their behaviour prevents the referees from carrying out their duties in a proper and impartial way.

 

DURATION

There are four periods of seven minutes actual playing time in a normal game.  In this tournament we will have two periods of eleven minutes running time and two minute between periods.  This rule will also apply to all games including the finals and  tournament games.  All games shall start at the blow of the whistle from the tournament table.

 

All games shall start at the times as indicated on the tournament program, or in the event of a delay, at the new times as determined by the Tournament Director.  Teams shall be notified of any such changes.

 

Should any team not be ready and in the pool at the blow of the whistle from the tournament table, the game shall be deemed to have commenced and the team not in the water at the time should be penalised with one goal against them.

 

For each minute that the team has not taken to the water, an additional goal shall be awarded to the opposing team up to a maximum of 7 goals.

 

Teams in Blue shall start the game from the change room end of the pool at the KES Pool and the tennis court side at the Old Ed’s pool.

 

SCORING

A goal is scored by the ball passing fully over the goal line between posts.  A goal may be scored by any part of the body except the clenched fist.  Dribbling the ball through the posts is acceptable.  A goal may be scored from anywhere within the field of play.  At the start or restart, or after a foul, at least two players (excluding the defending goalkeeper) must have intentionally played at the ball before a goal can be scored except:

a)                 A penalty throw

b)                 An immediate shot from a goal throw

c)                  An immediate shot from a free throw awarded from outside 7 metres

 

Three (3) points for a win and one (1) for a draw.

·                    In the event of a draw in pools 1,2 or 3, the results of the game played between the two sides drawn will determine their position in that pool.

·                    If this game is drawn, goal difference will be considered.

·                    If goal difference is the same, the goals for will be considered

·                    If either of the play-off games, quarter finals or semi-finals are drawn at the final whistle, the first team to score in extra time, goes through to the next stage at the Tournament (Golden Goal)

·                    In the event of a draw in the final, extra time of two (2) chukkas of three (3) minutes each will be played.

·                    Should this period result in a draw, the Golden rule shall apply in an extra chukka.

 

RESTART

After a goal, players shall return to their respective halves.  A player on the team, which has not scored the goal, shall play the ball after the referee’s whistle and play shall resume.

 

GOAL THROW

When the entire ball passes over the goal line outside the posts having last been touched by the attacking team, the goalkeeper takes a free throw anywhere within the 2 metre area.

 

CORNER THROW

When the entire ball passes over the goal line outside the posts having last been touched by the defending team, a free throw is awarded to a player on the attacking team nearest the two metre corner on the side on which the ball went out.

 

NEUTRAL THROW

When one or more players’ form each team commits a foul at the same moment, making it impossible for the referees to decide who infringed first, a neutral throw shall be awarded.  The closest referee shall throw the ball into the pool towards the same lateral position as the event occurred giving both teams equal opportunity to reach the ball.

 

FREE THROW

A free throw is signaled by the referee’s whistle.  The throw must be taken without undue delay but does not have to be taken immediately.  It must be taken in a manner to enable the players to observe the ball leaving the hand of the person taking the throw.  It does not have to be passed to another player but can be dribbled or played by the same player.

A free throw is to be taken form the point where the foul occurred, except:

a)           If the ball is further from the defending team’s goal line, it shall be taken form the location of the ball.

b)           if the foul is committed by a defender inside the two metre area then the throw shall be taken on the 2 metre line nearest to where the offence occurred.

 

ORDINARY FOULS

It is an ordinary foul to commit any of the following offences and a free throw shall be awarded to the opposing team. 

Fouls of fact

a)           To advance beyond the goal line before the start

b)           To assist a player at swim-off

c)            To push of the posts or sides or bottom of the pool

d)           To take or hold the ball under water when tackled

e)           To strike at the ball with a clenched fist (except the goalie in the 4 metres)

f)              To touch the ball with two hands at the same time (except the goalie in the 4 metres)

g)           To waste time deliberately by not shooting within 35 seconds

h)            To be inside the opponents 2 metre area unless the ball is also there

i)              To unduly delay in taking a free throw, goal or corner throw.

 

CONTACT FOULS

a)           To impede or prevent the free movement of an opponent who is not holding the ball

b)           To push or push off from an opponent

 

ADVANTAGE RULE

Referees shall refrain from declaring a foul if it would be an advantage to the defending team.

 

EASY FOULS

They should also not declare an ordinary foul when there is still a possibility to play the ball.

 

EXCLUSION FOULS

It is an exclusion foul to commit any of the following offences and a free throw shall be awarded to the opposing team and the player who committed the fouls shall be excluded.

 

20 Second offences

a)           To interfere with the taking of a free throw, corner throw or goal throw.

b)           To intentionally splash water in the face of an opponent.

c)            To hold, sink or pull back an opponent who is not holding the ball.

 

Exclusion for match with substitute

a)           To be guilty of misconduct, i.e. foul language, violent or persistent foul play

b)           To refuse obedience or show disrespect to a referee or official

c)            To interfere with the taking of a 4 metre penalty through

 

Exclusion for match without substitute

a)           To intentionally kick or strike an opponent

b)           To commit an act of brutality

 

Suspension of one game violence and suspension of two games for brutality.

 

PENALTY FOULS

It is a foul to commit any of the following offences which shall be punished by the awarding of a 4 metre penalty throw.

a)           For a defending player to commit any foul within the four metre but for which a goal would probably have resulted.

b)           For any exclusion foul to be committed by a defending player in the 4 metre area.

c)            For an excluded player to interfere with play

d)           For an excluded player or substitute to enter incorrectly and interfere with play.

e)           For an excluded player or substitute to enter incorrectly in the last minute of play.

 

PERSONAL FOUL

A personal foul shall be recorded against any player committing an exclusion or penalty foul. After receiving three personal fouls the player shall be excluded for the remainder of the game with a substitute allowed.