anonymous / June 3, 2014
Did you know that Water polo is the oldest “TEAM” sport in the Olympic program? Did you know that women’s water was only added to the program in the year 2000? These are some fun facts about a great TEAM sport that can teach you so many life lessons. But let’s get back to the basics of this great sport!
Key facts and rules
- You may not touch any surface while playing (not the bottom of the pool or the side wall of the pool)
- Only the goalie can touch the ball with 2 hands
- Seven players for each team can play at one time ( one goalie, six perimeter players)
- The “egg beater” is the leg motion that helps you tread water and stay above water. Some will describe this motion similar to riding a bike but adding the movement of an eggbeater where you alternate leg movement.
Players
Each team must have seven players (six field players and one goalkeeper) in the water when the game starts. Either team may substitute players freely after a goal is scored, during a time-out, or between periods. During actual play, substitutions must occur through the team’s re-entry area (the corner of the pool)
Field of Play
The depth should be at least 1.8m. The field of play is segmented into zones marked by colored markings along the side of the pool:
Goal line – white : A goal counts only when the ball goes completely across the goal line and into the goal.
2-meter line – red : No offensive player is allowed to swim inside of the 2-meter line unless he/she has possession of the ball
5-meter line – yellow : Penalties are shot at the 5-meter line when a major foul is committed. A minor foul allows the offensive player the option to shoot a direct shot on goal in one continuous motion.
Center line – white : Mid-pool: After each goal is scored, play is re-started at mid-pool; the goalkeepers are not permitted to go across the mid-pool line.