The Rules of Water Polo - EXPLAINED!

Summary

Ninh Ly's video script offers a comprehensive guide to water polo, detailing the objective of outscoring the opponent with a ball thrown into a 3m wide goal. It outlines the team composition of 7 players including a goalkeeper, the pool dimensions, and the strategic importance of lines within the pool. The script explains the rules, including fouls, penalties, and the 30-second shot clock, and highlights the game's duration of 32 minutes split into four periods. It also covers special rules like the 2 and 5-meter lines, player substitutions, and timeouts, providing a clear introduction to the sport.

Takeaways

• 🏓 The objective of water polo is to score more goals than the opposing team.
• 🏊‍♂️ Teams consist of 14 players with 7 in the pool at any time, including 1 goalkeeper and 6 field players.
• 🎯 A goal is scored by throwing the ball into the 3m wide and 0.9m high goal.
• 🏊‍♀️ The pool dimensions are a maximum of 30m by 20m with a minimum depth of 1.8m.
• 🚨 The pool features a red line at 2m, an amber line at 5m, and a midline for starting the game.
• 🏁 The game begins with the ball in the midline and involves swimming to gain possession.
• 🕒 Teams have up to 30 seconds to shoot after gaining possession, or the ball goes to the other team.
• 🏅 Foul types include ordinary fouls, major fouls, and brutal fouls, each with different consequences.
• 🚫 The 2m red line restricts passing to teammates, while the 5m amber line is for awarding the ball after fouls.
• 🤾‍♂️ Goalkeepers can use two hands to handle the ball up to the 5m line and are the only players defending during penalties.
• ⏱ The game is divided into four 8-minute periods with a total playing time of 32 minutes.

Q & A

What is the primary objective of Water Polo?

The primary objective of Water Polo is for your team to score more goals than the opposing team.

How many players are there on a Water Polo team, and how many are allowed in the pool at one time?

Each Water Polo team consists of 14 players, with 7 players allowed in the pool at any one time, including 1 goalkeeper and 6 field players.

What are the dimensions and depth of the pool used for Water Polo?

The pool used for Water Polo is a maximum of 30 meters long and 20 meters wide, with a minimum depth of 1.8 meters.

How high above the water's surface are the goals in Water Polo?

The goals in Water Polo are 0.9 meters above the surface of the water.

What lines are marked on the pool and what are their purposes?

There is a red line 2 meters away from the goal, an amber line 5 meters away from the goal, and a midline in the middle of the pool. These lines are used to define certain areas of play and are associated with specific rules and actions during the game.

How does the game start in Water Polo?

The game starts with the ball in the midline of the pool, and once the referee blows the whistle, both teams swim for the ball to take possession.

What are the rules regarding holding the ball in Water Polo?

Field players can only hold the ball with one hand and must pass it to a teammate or set up a position to throw it into the goal.

How much time does a team have to shoot the ball after gaining possession?

Once a team has possession of the ball, they have up to 30 seconds to shoot the ball. Failure to do so results in the other team being awarded the ball.

What is the duration of a Water Polo game and how is it divided?

The game is played in four 8-minute periods, for a combined playing time of 32 minutes.

What is an Ordinary Foul in Water Polo and what are its consequences?

An Ordinary Foul results in the ball being awarded to the other team, but the clock does not stop. The offending team must allow the other team to play the ball.

What is a Major Foul in Water Polo, and what happens when one occurs?

A Major Foul, also known as an 'exclusion' or 'kickout', is more severe than an ordinary foul. The offending player is excluded for 20 seconds and cannot participate in play during this time. If a player accumulates 3 major fouls, they are ejected from the game.

What is the significance of the 2-metre line in Water Polo?

The 2-metre line is an area where an opposing player may not pass the ball to a teammate, but they can still swim with the ball.

How does the 5-metre line affect gameplay in Water Polo?

The 5-metre line marks an area where if an opposing player is fouled, they are awarded the ball. However, they are only allowed to pass the ball and cannot shoot directly. The goalkeeper can use two hands to handle the ball up to this line, and it is also the line used for penalties.

What happens when a penalty is awarded in Water Polo?

If a major foul is committed on a player who has a realistic chance of scoring, a penalty is awarded. The player is awarded the ball at the 5-metre line and only the goalkeeper can stand in the way. It's one shot only, similar to soccer.

How many timeouts are allowed per period in Water Polo, and what are they used for?

A team is allowed one timeout per period, which they can take for a 1-minute break to discuss strategy or make adjustments.

What is the substitution rule in Water Polo?

A team is allowed to have 7 substitutes on the bench, consisting of 1 substitute goalkeeper and 6 substitute field players.