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.

Outlines

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🏊‍♂️ Water Polo Game Basics

Water Polo is a team sport where two teams of seven, including one goalkeeper and six field players, aim to score more goals by throwing a ball into the opponent's goal. The goals are 3 meters wide and positioned 0.9 meters above the water surface. The playing area, a pool, can be up to 30 meters long and 20 meters wide with a minimum depth of 1.8 meters. Key lines in the pool include a red line at 2 meters and an amber line at 5 meters from the goal, with the game starting at the midline. Players can pass the ball in any direction and must shoot within 30 seconds of gaining possession. The game consists of four 8-minute periods, totaling 32 minutes of play, with the highest score at the end determining the winner.

Keywords

💡Water Polo

Water Polo is a team water sport where players use their hands and a ball to score goals against an opposing team. It is played in a pool, with each team having seven players, including one goalkeeper and six field players. The game is fast-paced and requires a combination of swimming ability, ball handling, and teamwork. In the video, the rules and objectives of the game are explained, setting the context for the rest of the discussion.

💡Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper in water polo is a specialized position whose primary role is to defend the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring. They are the only players allowed to use both hands to handle the ball up to the 5-meter line. In the video, it is mentioned that there is one goalkeeper per team, highlighting the importance of this defensive role in the game.

💡Field Players

Field players in water polo are the offensive and defensive players who are not goalkeepers. They are responsible for scoring goals, defending against the opposing team's attacks, and passing the ball to create scoring opportunities. The video script explains that there are six field players per team, each of whom can only hold the ball with one hand and must pass or shoot within 30 seconds of gaining possession.

💡Goal

In water polo, the goal is a 3-meter wide and 0.9-meter high net that players aim to throw the ball into in order to score points. The video emphasizes that scoring is the primary objective of the game, and the dimensions of the goal are specified to provide context for the challenges players face in attempting to score.

💡Ordinary Foul

An ordinary foul in water polo is a minor infraction that results in the ball being awarded to the opposing team. The video script outlines that ordinary fouls do not stop the clock and require the offending team to allow the other team to play the ball, illustrating the importance of fair play and sportsmanship in the game.

💡Major Foul

Major fouls, also known as exclusions or kickouts, are more severe infractions that result in the offending player being excluded from play for 20 seconds. The video explains that accumulating three major fouls leads to ejection from the game, emphasizing the seriousness of these violations and their impact on the game's flow and strategy.

💡2 Metre Line

The 2-metre line, marked in red, is a critical area in water polo where opposing players are not allowed to pass the ball to a teammate. This rule is designed to prevent easy scoring opportunities and adds a strategic element to the game. The video script uses this line as an example of how the layout of the pool influences gameplay.

💡5 Metre Line

The 5-metre line, marked in yellow, is a significant area in water polo where if a player is fouled, they are awarded the ball but can only pass, not shoot directly. This line also marks the limit for the goalkeeper's two-handed ball handling. The video script explains the strategic importance of this line in both offensive and defensive play.

💡Penalty

A penalty in water polo is awarded when a major foul is committed against a player with a realistic chance of scoring. The video script describes how the player is given the ball at the 5-metre line with only the goalkeeper able to defend, highlighting the high-pressure situation this creates and the potential for scoring.

💡Substitution

Substitutions in water polo allow teams to replace players during the game to manage fatigue, adjust strategy, or address specific game situations. The video mentions that each team has seven substitutes, including one substitute goalkeeper and six substitute field players, showcasing the tactical flexibility that substitutions provide.

💡Timeout

A timeout in water polo is a one-minute break that a team can take to rest or discuss strategy. The video script explains that teams are allowed one timeout per period, illustrating the importance of strategic planning and recovery in the high-intensity sport of water polo.

Highlights

The objective of Water Polo is to score more goals than the opponent.

Each team consists of 14 players, with 7 in the pool at a time including 1 goalkeeper and 6 field players.

A goal is scored by throwing the ball into a 3m wide and 0.9m high goal.

The pool's dimensions are a maximum of 30m by 20m and a minimum depth of 1.8m.

The pool features a red line at 2m, an amber line at 5m, and a midline.

The game begins with the ball in the midline and both teams compete for possession.

Players can pass the ball in any direction and swim with it by pushing it in front.

Field players must hold the ball with one hand and have up to 30 seconds to shoot.

Opposing teams aim to block, intercept, or displace players to gain control of the ball.

The game is divided into four 8-minute periods with a total playing time of 32 minutes.

Ordinary fouls result in the ball being awarded to the other team without stopping the clock.

Major fouls, or exclusions, last 20 seconds and can lead to ejection for three offenses.

Brutal fouls, aiming to injure, result in immediate ejection from the game.

The 2m red line prohibits passing the ball to teammates within that area.

The 5m amber line is where fouled players are awarded the ball but cannot shoot directly.

Goalkeepers can use two hands to handle the ball up to the 5m line.

Penalties are awarded for major fouls during a realistic scoring chance, with a one-shot attempt.

Teams are allowed one 1-minute timeout per period to discuss strategy.

There are 7 substitutes per team, including 1 goalkeeper and 6 field players.

Water Polo is easy to understand but has specific rules for fouls, lines, and gameplay.

Transcripts

Ninh explains, the Rules of Water Polo The object of the game is for your team to

score more goals than the opposing team. Water Polo is a game played by two teams of

14, with 7 players taking to the pool at any one time. They consist of 1 goalkeeper and

6 field players. To score a goal, a player must throw the ball

into the goal. These goals are 3m wide and 0.9m above the

surface of the water. The pool is a maximum of 30m long and 20m

wide, and is a minimum depth of 1.8m There is a red line 2 metres away from the

goal, an amber line 5 metres away from the goal,

and a midline in the middle of the pool. I’ll explain what these lines are for later.

The game starts with the ball in the midline of the pool.

Once the referee blows the whistle, both teams will swim for the ball and try and take possession

of it.

You can pass the ball directly between teammates in any direction, and swim with the ball by

pushing it in front of you. Field Players can only hold the ball with

one hand, and the idea is to pass the ball to a teammate and set up in a position to

be able to throw the ball into the goal. You have to be quick though, as once your

team has possession of the ball, you have up to 30 seconds to shoot the ball. Failure

to shoot results in the other team being awarded the ball.

The opposing team will try and stop you by blocking the ball in the air, intercepting

the ball, or trying to move you out of position so that they can get the ball.

They will try and take the ball away from you so that they can score themselves.

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

Highest score at the end of time, wins. Huh, that was easy?!

Well, Water Polo is an easy sport to understand, but there’s a few more things you’ll need

to understand before playing or going to a game.

For example: Ordinary Foul.

Ordinary fouls include the following, and result in the ball being awarded to the other

team. The clock does not stop during ordinary fouls,

and the offending team must allow the other team to play the ball.

The other team must put the ball in play within 3 seconds, otherwise they will lose possession

to the other team.

Major Foul. Major Fouls (also known as ‘exclusions’

or ‘kickouts’) are more severe than ordinary fouls and include the following:

The offending player is excluded for 20 seconds and cannot participate in play during this

time. If that same player racks up 3 major fouls,

they are ejected from the game.

In the rare case that a player deliberately tries to injure another player, this is known

as a brutal or brutality foul, and results in the player being ejected immediately.

2 Metre Line The 2 metre line, denoted in red, is an area

where an opposing player may not pass the ball to a teammate. However, the player can

still swim with the ball.

5 Metre Line The 5 metre line, denoted in yellow – marks

an area where if an opposing player is fouled, he is awarded the ball. But he is only allowed

to pass the ball, he cannot shoot directly. The goalkeeper can use two hands to handle

the ball up to the 5 metre line. and this is also the line used for penalties.

Penalty 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. Just like soccer, it’s

one shot only.

Time outs. A team can take a 1 minute period to take

a break or to discuss strategy. This is called a timeout and teams are allowed

one timeout per period.

Substitution. A team is allowed to have 7 substitutes on

the bench, which consists of 1 substitute goalkeeper and 6 substitute field players.

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Ninh Ly, @NinhLyUK, www.ninh.co.uk