WATER POLO RULES

A water polo team consists of 13 players, with only 7 allowed in the water at any one time ( 1 goalkeeper and 6 outfield players), however, substitution can occur at any time in the game. Play is four quarters of seven minutes actual playing time, which means a game lasts for about an hour. Similar to Basketball, teams have 35 seconds possession in which to score, ensuring a fast, exciting game. Similarly to Ice Hockey, players who commit "major fouls" (such as striking, pulling back or sinking an opponent) during the course of play are excluded from the game for 20 seconds. For misconduct, the penalty is permanent exclusion (with substitution) of the player and in the case of brutality no substitution is allowed.

For a complete guide to the rules of Water Polo you are advised to read the ASA Water Polo Referees Handbook incorporating the Rules of Water Polo available from Swimming Times Publications Ltd. 2 Kingfisher Enterprise Park, 50 Arthur Street, Redditch, Worcs, B98 8LG Tel: 0800 220292