Colorado State University Athletics
The Game of Women?s Water Polo
2/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
The game of Water Polo is obviously played in a swimming pool and consists of seven players on the team. The tricky part about this sport is that the players are not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool! Even if they wanted to they couldn?t because it is definitely over their heads- meaning they have to tread water the entire game! The team can start and play with five players, but at no time can they ever have less than five players. The game consists of four seven-minute quarters with a two-minute break between quarters. There is also a half-time break that is five-minutes. The teams switch ends at each quarter. Each team is allowed two timeouts. Substitutions can only be made during timeouts, after goals, or between periods of play. If overtime is needed it will consist of two three-minute quarters with a two-minute break between quarters. If the game is still a tie after overtime there is one two-minute sudden victory overtime period. If no team scores the game will end in a tie.
Starting Procedures
At the beginning of each period, the players line up even with the two-meter cone. When the referee blows the whistle, the ball is dropped next to the wall on the centerline. After a goal is scored the teams must line up anywhere within their perspective halves. When the referee signals, anyone on the team in possession of the ball can put the ball in play themselves or pass it off. However, the player that starts the play may not take a shot on goal. Restarting the play after a timeout or injury, the play starts out with a free throw from where the ball was in last possession.
Shot Clock
There is a 35 second shot clock that is kept by an official outside the pool. It is reset after each goal is scored or after a change of possession.
Out of Play
The ball goes out of play when it leaves the pool, hits the side of the pool before hitting the water, or skips off the water and hits the side wall. A free throw is awarded at the spot where the ball went out of play. If two fouls are committed at the same time a face-off occurs.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball completely crosses the goal line. Two players must touch the ball after a start or restart in order for a goal to be scored. The goalie may score if she is not the first person to touch the ball after a start or restart (if taking the free throw).
Fouls
There are two types of fouls, ordinary and major. Ordinary fouls and violations are penalized by a free throw to the other team. Some of these include delay of game, incorrect penalty throw, pressing the goalie, and false start on sprint. Major fouls are penalized by ejections or a 4 m penalty shot. These include brutality (kicking or striking opponent and intent to injure) and 20 second ejections (holding, sinking, interfering with free throw, disrespecting a referee, foul language, and splashing offensive player.
Penalties
Results from fouls include free throws, ejections and 4 m penalty throws.
For more detailed information click here.
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